FIT GRAZER
FIT GRAZER
custom-made grazing muzzle for horses
- Well-ventilated and therefore suitable even for horses with breathing difficulties
- Soft, flexible, smooth material that does not rub
- Interchangeable bases to suit the horse’s needs and current grazing conditions
- Made to measure for each horse – handmade in the Czech Republic
How to measure your horse’s head
Measuring your horse’s head correctly is essential for the muzzle to work. In effect, I will be making something like made-to-measure shoes for your horse. Ideally, I would visit, take the measurements myself, return with a partly finished muzzle, try it on the horse and make a few final adjustments. Unfortunately, that is not practical; understandably, nobody would pay for it.
The muzzle is therefore made using measurements you take following my instructions. The headpiece, throatlash and cheekpieces are also adjustable in length using buckles. When it arrives, simply adjust them so that the muzzle is truly comfortable for your horse. The buckles then remain permanently in that position.
If your horse has never worn a muzzle or has had a bad experience with one, I recommend adding an ACCLIMATISATION BASE. It has a larger feeding opening, allowing the horse to get used to wearing the muzzle without greatly restricting grazing. Once the horse is comfortable, unscrew this base and screw on the weight-management base.
I can make the muzzle entirely to your chosen dimensions. For example, if you already have a muzzle that fits and want my FitGrazer made to match, you do not need to measure the horse. Just make clear when sending the measurements that they are the required muzzle dimensions, not measurements taken on the horse.
Download everything you need to measure your horse here:
Above all, please watch the instructional video.
possible to arrange a video call beside your horse so that we can
take the measurements together remotely.
What to consider before and when buying a muzzle
Buying a muzzle may tempt you to think, “I will close my eyes and we will somehow get through it.” But if you want wearing it to be successful in terms of weight loss and your horse’s physical and mental health, you need to pause, think and consider several factors before buying.
1. How does your horse get water? With a muzzle, the horse can drink easily from a bucket, stream or trough. Some horses may have difficulty using a drinking bowl.
2. What is the grazing like where your horse will wear the muzzle, and how is hay provided? Grass must be tall enough for the horse to bite through the muzzle, but not so tall that it folds flat underneath. To some extent, choosing the right opening size can address this. If the grass is too tall, for example, the horse cannot bite it through an opening 3-5 cm in diameter. An 8 cm opening makes this possible. You may think such a large opening will not restrict grazing, but that is not the case with tall grass. Without a muzzle, the horse would pull grass from the side and fill its mouth. Through the muzzle, it bites only the curve of grass that fits inside that 8 cm opening.
Access to hay also matters. If hay is in nets, many horses may be unable to eat it. Loose hay, on the other hand, is not a problem.
Remember to supplement your horse’s minerals and trace elements!
How to care for your muzzle
How to get your horse used to a grazing muzzle
First, the owner needs to assess how much time can be set aside for acclimatisation. With acute laminitis, there is clearly no time for a lengthy introduction.
But if you can see that a muzzle may be needed later, this is the ideal time to start introducing it gradually. For more sensitive owners in particular, this is the only manageable approach.
In both cases, the principle is the same: the horse should associate putting on the muzzle with a pleasant experience. For example, give a small edible reward inside the muzzle during and after fitting, or spend longer scratching the horse’s favourite spots if it enjoys that.
Download here How to successfully introduce your horse to a grazing muzzle
Frequently asked questions about grazing muzzles
How do I order a muzzle?
- Download the measurement files and watch the video
- Place an order in the online shop together with all the accessories you require. You will receive an order confirmation. Reply to that confirmation and attach the completed questionnaire and measurement photos.
- Wait for the pro forma invoice. Once it is paid, I will add your muzzle to the production schedule and let you know the estimated completion date.
- Your horse’s made-to-measure muzzle will be delivered to you.
Why do I need to photograph my horse during measuring?
We make our muzzles to measure using the dimensions you send us. Your measurements allow us to create a pattern specifically for your horse. Photographs of the measurements help us check whether they were taken correctly. We also need you to complete the questionnaire about the horse that will wear the muzzle. This important information helps us choose the type of base, the size of the opening and other details.
Please send the measurement photos and your horse’s completed questionnaire to 4horseinfo@gmail.com
How to choose the right muzzle size
Approximate muzzle sizes:
XS Shetty
S-L Pony – Cob
XL-XXXXL Full and larger
Which base opening is right for my horse?
This is one of the hardest questions. Our bases range from 130 to 240 mm, depending on the size of the horse and muzzle. Horses also differ enormously. Even among horses of the same size, one may lose weight with a 7 cm opening, for example, while another gains weight with a 4 cm opening. Every detail you can provide about your horse therefore matters when choosing the right base. Please give us plenty of detail! There is no such thing as too much information.
How to prevent your horse from removing the muzzle
The first step is getting the horse properly used to the muzzle. Ideally, start with an acclimatisation base with a relatively large opening. The horse can eat fairly easily and does not associate the muzzle with restricted food intake. This does not, of course, apply to laminitis, when feed intake needs to be restricted quickly and substantially.
A half-height extension with rings works quite well against removal; order it in the accessories section. It improves the fit, especially on large horses, and makes the muzzle harder to remove. You can order the extension with the muzzle or have it added later if the horse starts taking the muzzle off after a longer period of use.
Another trick is to braid the muzzle’s headpiece into the mane or put a headcollar over the muzzle.
What is the delivery time for a muzzle?
Delivery times naturally vary with increased demand in spring. The good news is that we have a very skilled lady making our muzzles, and we can usually meet demand within a week to a fortnight after receiving all the required information.
How to prevent rubbing
Rubbing is the most common complication when wearing a muzzle. If your horse is sensitive and gets rubbed by ordinary equipment, add sheepskin or neoprene padding to your order. Sheepskin is softer, of course, but needs more care. When making a muzzle for a horse needing sheepskin on both the nose and under the chin, we allow extra room so the muzzle is not too tight.
Need help with anything? Email: 4horseinfo@gmail.com