Horse Management: Grazing Muzzle Musings

Grazing muzzles have become standard equipment in stables across the globe. When fitted properly and used appropriately, they allow horses to graze in a controlled manner, which limits consumption, curbs calorie intake, and optimizes health. While not all horses require a grazing muzzle, for those that do, the equipment is often considered a godsend. Like other pieces of equipment, muzzles come with a few challenges. Let’s have a look at two everyday nutritional concerns.

Consider water sources. “When deciding to muzzle a pastured horse, water intake becomes an important management consideration,” said Kathleen Crandell, Ph.D., a nutritionist with Kentucky Equine Research.

“The best option is a wide water trough because there is little danger of getting the muzzle caught up in it,” she said. “Automatic waterers that feature the floating balls can be a bit tricky, depending on the size and shape of the muzzle.” Because some of the new muzzles are designed with a square base, horses may find it difficult or impossible to drink from automatic waterers with smaller openings.

“A five-gallon bucket may work for some muzzles until the bucket gets less than half full, at which point the muzzle may not fit or may get hung up on the handle of the bucket,” Crandell said.

Bottom line. If there is any question that the horse may not be able to drink from the automatic water source in a paddock or pasture setting, offering water in a trough is advisable. Check the trough daily for cleanliness, top off as necessary, and thoroughly clean it when needed, as some horses will not drink as much if the water is dirty or overrun with algae.

Sorting out salt. Salt intake increases when temperatures climb in spring, summer, and fall. These usually coincide with times when horses are muzzled to restrict grazing. How do horse owners manage salt intake when faced with muzzled horses?

“Salt blocks are impossible with a muzzle because, as many owners can attest, a horse can’t get its tongue on the block to lick it or gnaw at it,” she explained.

Crandell explained that horses worked daily or near daily with visible sweat are prime candidates for electrolytes. “The more horses sweat, the more electrolytes they lose.”

Many horses can have their salt needs met with electrolyte supplementation, assuming the manufacturer’s recommendations are being followed. High-quality electrolytes contain the key electrolytes sodium, chloride, and potassium, and may include others such as magnesium and calcium.

Bottom line. For muzzled horses, the best way to add salt to a ration would be to provide a research-proven electrolyte to the concentrate meal at the recommended amount or have a salt block available in the stall or drylot.

Do you have a question about the nuts and bolts of muzzling your horse? Or how to best nourish your horse when he is muzzled? Start a discussion now.