Equine obesity can be associated with underlying metabolic issues such as Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS), Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (PPID or Cushings Syndrome).
If your vet has tested for these, he/she may recommend a Grazing Muzzle as part of the weight management plan.
Grazing Muzzles can be a successful way to prevent Laminitis. A study on stabled ponies that wore a Grazing Muzzle on Autumn pasture measured the intake over 3 hrs and found an 83% reduction.
Horses and ponies wearing a Grazing Muzzle are more likely to spend more time foraging and therefore moving more aiding weight loss.
Grazing Muzzles should not be worn 24 hours a day. Weight loss must be monitored carefully; a healthy rate of weight loss would be a maximum of 1% a week (eg 3.5kg/week on a 350kg pony).
Due to the shape of the mouth hole of The Ultimate Muzzle most equines will manage to eat hay through it.Muzzle
Circumference of the muzzle nose part
Height at back of muzzle
Height at front of muzzle Size of grazing hole
Small Pony 48cm 13cm 17cm 2 x 3cm
Pony 55cm 15cm 19cm 2 x 3cm
Cob 63cm 17cm 22cm 3 x 5cm
Horse 67cm 17cm 24cm 3 x 5cm
XL 70cm 17cm 24cm 3 x 5cm
As a rough guide, Small pony will suit Shetlands and fine ponies up to approx 12hh
Pony will suit approx. 12 hh to 13.2 hh
Cob will suit approx 13.2 – 14.2 hh
Horse will suit chunky 14.2 – approx 15.2 or fine 16HH
XL for chunky types and big horses.