Greenguard Grazing Muzzles offer a simple solution to reducing grass intake, helping to ensure effective weight management. Designed in conjunction with vets, these muzzles have proven to be highly effective and are comfortable for the horse to wear. Read the Greenguard fitting guide to ensure the best use of this unique grazing muzzle.
Greenguard Grazing Muzzles have been our best-selling grazing muzzles for a number of years now. Endorsed and highly recommended by professionals as an effective tool to aid weight loss, these muzzles are ideal for helping to reduce grass intake while still allowing for normal behaviour. It facilitates a "little and often" grazing habit while allowing the horse to breathe, drink and move its mouth as normal. Greenguard muzzles are a good choice for horses and ponies that are already overweight/obese or are prone to weight gain ("good-doers"), laminitis, and other weight-related conditions.
This muzzle has a basket design that attaches easily to a field-safe headcollar (we recommend pairing it with the Shires Greenguard Headcollar) via four safe straps which will break if the horse gets the muzzle caught. The muzzle is highly-durable and UV resistant, made from safe, pliable food-grade material. The Greenguard Muzzle is designed to "hang" from the headcollar, sitting away from the muzzle to prevent sweating (and subsequent itching) and rubs.
Buy the Shires Greenguard Grazing Muzzle here!
How to fit the Greenguard Grazing Muzzle
The Greenguard Grazing Muzzle comes fully assembled. You can choose to attach this muzzle to the Shires Greenguard Headcollar, or to a normal headcollar with the plastic strap provided. The Greenguard Headcollars feature a metal ring at the nose for attaching the fourth muzzle strap. We would recommend using a field-safe/breakaway headcollar for safety. It's important for the headcollar to be well-fitting - not too tight or too loose - to prevent the headcollar from either rubbing or from coming off.
If using a normal headcollar, attach the plastic strap to the noseband of the headcollar by looping it over and pushing the toggle back through the slot (follow the drawing in the booklet provided with the muzzle).
Additional tips for fitting/securing
Once properly fitted, cut any excess length from the straps and use tape to secure the muzzle, preventing catching and to stop "helpful" horses from unbuckling them.
The straps have been designed to break away for safety. Additional straps can be purchased here. Baling twine or zip ties work well as a temporary fix.
The Greenguard Grazing Muzzle fits much larger than a traditional grazing muzzle - if it's too small the horse's nose/chin may hit the sides of the muzzle when opening the mouth to graze
Tight straps or insufficient space at the bottom of the muzzle makes grazing difficult and can cause rubbing and/or the muzzle to warp or break - ensure the mask hangs freely from the headcollar.
Houdini horse? Use baling twine to attach the corners of the muzzle to the headcollar to help prevent your horse from getting the muzzle off.
Ensure the muzzle fits into your horse's water source.
Remove anything the horse could catch the muzzle on in the field where possible.
We recommend you introduce your horse to the Greenguard Muzzle gradually, building up the wear time slowly. It normally takes a short time for the horse to learn how to use the Greenguard Muzzle, so it may be beneficial to push grass through the slots to help your horse or pony to understand.
We advise against turning your pony or horse out unattended for a long duration during the initial wear as damage may be sustained if the pony or horse is not correctly acclimatised to wearing the muzzle.
All grazing muzzles pose some risk of teeth wear due to the fact the horse's teeth may rub against the interior surface. Reduce the risk by regularly washing the muzzle to remove dirt and sand. Check the front teeth on a weekly basis - if there are signs of abnormal wear, discontinue use.
