In my Thoroughbred’s case, despite his hard-keeping tendencies, a recent laminitic episode prompted my veterinarian to recommend a muzzle as we began reintroducing summer turnout after three months of stall rest. Veterinarians and nutritionists even recommend muzzles for otherwise healthy horses with a history of EMS, PPID, laminitis, and/or obesity to prevent such issues from arising again. Fitting the overweight horse with a muzzle is usually a simpler management decision compared to separating one horse from the rest of the herd.” “Many times, only one horse is overweight. individuals) due to personal preference or facility layout,” she says.

“For example, an owner has a small herd and manages the horses as a herd (vs. Martinson says owners also use muzzles to restrict fat horses’ grass intake without limiting their pasture access. Grazing muzzles are appropriate for horses with these conditions.” Many older horses develop a different disease-equine Cushing’s disease ( pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction, or PPID)-that can lead to laminitis via a similar mechanism. “This is the basis for the condition we know as equine metabolic syndrome (EMS).

“Lush feeds high in sugar (such as grass) can promote insulin resistance and lead to laminitis,” he says, referring to reduced sensitivity to insulin that decreases a horse’s ability to transport glucose into the body’s cells from the bloodstream. While this is an advantage in harsh environments, he says, horses with access to healthy pastures and high-quality nutrition tend to gain weight rapidly. “Certain breeds of horses-including ponies, Saddlebreds, and Morgan horses, among others-are very efficient with their nutrition and can store fat readily,” says Gilsenan. However, muzzles are lifesavers for some. In fact, many do well on pasture year-round. Why would my horse need a grazing muzzle?

Best grazing muzzle for horses