6 Best Anti-Cribbing Grazing Muzzles For Pasture Turnout Old Grooms Swear By
Curb cribbing and control grazing with our list of the 6 best muzzles. These are the tried-and-true picks of veteran grooms for safe pasture turnout.
You’ve got that one horse—the one who can chew through a fence post by lunchtime but also balloons up just by looking at green grass. For years, folks thought you needed two different solutions: a cribbing collar and a grazing muzzle. But old hands know that the right muzzle can solve both problems at once, saving you money, time, and a whole lot of pasture repairs.
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Why a Muzzle Stops Both Cribbing and Overgrazing
A good muzzle works on a simple principle: it creates a physical barrier. For overgrazing, a small hole in the bottom of the muzzle allows a horse to eat a little grass, but not enough to cause founder or excessive weight gain. It mimics natural, slow grazing rather than gorging.
This same barrier is what makes it an effective anti-cribbing tool. Cribbing requires the horse to grasp a solid object—a fence rail, a stall door, a water trough—with its upper incisors to arch its neck and suck in air. With a muzzle on, the horse simply can’t get a grip on that surface.
It’s a two-for-one management tool that addresses both a behavioral vice and a metabolic risk. Instead of constricting the throat like a cribbing collar, a muzzle prevents the first step of the cribbing sequence. This makes it a gentler, and often more effective, solution for horses on pasture.
Greenguard Grazing Muzzle for Airflow & Comfort
The Greenguard is often the first muzzle people recommend when comfort is the top priority. Its open, cage-like design allows for maximum airflow, which is a huge benefit in hot, humid climates. Horses seem to fuss with it less because it doesn’t feel as claustrophobic as traditional bucket-style muzzles.
This design also makes drinking water much easier and more natural. A horse can submerge a Greenguard muzzle without it filling up like a bucket, encouraging better hydration. It’s a well-thought-out piece of equipment that prioritizes the horse’s well-being during long hours on pasture.
The main tradeoff is the setup and cost. The Greenguard muzzle itself is usually sold separately from the halter, so you’ll need to purchase a compatible breakaway halter. Getting the fit just right is crucial, as the rigid design can cause rubs if it’s not perfectly adjusted, but when it works, it works exceptionally well.
Best Friend Cribbing Muzzle: A Purpose-Built Fix
If cribbing is your primary problem, this muzzle is designed specifically for the job. Unlike standard grazing muzzles that just happen to prevent cribbing, the Best Friend Cribbing Muzzle often incorporates a metal grill at the bottom. This makes it nearly impossible for a horse to latch onto any surface.
While its main purpose is stopping cribbing, the design inherently restricts grass intake. The small openings in the grill let some grass through, but not much. This makes it an excellent dual-purpose tool for the determined cribber who also needs to watch their weight.
Be aware that this is a more intensive solution. The rigid front can be intimidating, and you need to monitor for any rubbing on the horse’s chin. It’s not the first choice for a casual nibbler, but for the chronic, destructive cribber, it’s a lifesaver for your fences and your horse’s health.
Tough-1 Freedom Muzzle for Unrestricted Breathing
The name says it all. The standout feature of the Tough-1 Freedom Muzzle is the large openings around the nostrils. This directly addresses one of the biggest concerns owners have about muzzles: restricted breathing, especially during exercise or hot weather.
This design gives you peace of mind that your horse is breathing comfortably, even if they get a little worked up in the field. The rest of the muzzle is a fairly standard, durable nylon and rubber construction that holds up well to daily use. It’s a solid, practical choice for the average horse.
The only potential downside is that a particularly clever horse might figure out how to manipulate the larger nostril openings to get more grass. It’s a balance between maximum breathing room and maximum grazing restriction. For most horses, however, it hits a perfect middle ground.
Shires Deluxe Muzzle: A Durable, Padded Option
Think of the Shires Deluxe as the reliable farm truck of grazing muzzles. It’s built to last, with a sturdy rubber base and reinforced nylon webbing. This is the muzzle you buy when you have a horse that is tough on its equipment.
What makes it "deluxe" is the padding, usually synthetic fleece or neoprene, around the noseband. This simple addition makes a world of difference in preventing rubs on the sensitive parts of a horse’s face. It combines rugged durability with essential comfort.
This muzzle is a fantastic, affordable all-rounder. It effectively limits grazing and prevents cribbing with its classic design. While it may not have the specialized airflow of a Greenguard, its durability and comfort features make it a go-to for countless horse owners.
The Harmany Muzzle for Flexible, Gentle Control
For the sensitive horse that gets rubs from everything, the Harmany Muzzle is a game-changer. It’s made from a softer, more pliable material than most other muzzles on the market. This flexibility allows it to conform to the horse’s face, significantly reducing the chance of sores.
The material is also lighter, which can make a big difference for horses who resent the weight of a traditional muzzle. It’s designed by a veterinarian with a deep understanding of equine anatomy and comfort. This is the muzzle you try when all others have failed due to rubbing.
The tradeoff for that soft flexibility can be durability. A determined, destructive horse might wear through a Harmany faster than a hard-rubber muzzle. However, for the well-behaved but sensitive-skinned horse, the comfort it provides is well worth the potential for a shorter lifespan.
Best Friend ‘Have a Heart’ for Sensitive Horses
This muzzle is another excellent option designed with comfort in mind. The "Have a Heart" features a V-shaped opening at the front, which provides more space between the muzzle and the horse’s nostrils and lips. This thoughtful design prevents the constant, irritating contact that causes so many rubs.
It’s a simple innovation that solves a common problem. By relieving pressure on the front of the horse’s face, it can make muzzle-wearing a much more tolerable experience. It’s particularly good for horses with delicate skin or those who have had bad experiences with poorly fitting muzzles in the past.
Like other Best Friend products, it’s well-made and durable enough for daily turnout. It offers a great balance of effective grazing restriction and thoughtful, comfort-focused design. If your horse’s main complaint is rubbing on the nose or chin, this muzzle is definitely one to try.
Proper Muzzle Fitting for Safety and Effectiveness
No muzzle, no matter how expensive, will work correctly if it doesn’t fit. An improperly fitted muzzle is either ineffective or dangerous. Your goal is a snug, but not tight, fit that allows for normal chewing and drinking.
Here are the key checkpoints for a good fit:
- Space: You should be able to fit two fingers comfortably between the muzzle and the horse’s face all the way around.
- Depth: The bottom of the muzzle should be about an inch away from the horse’s lips. Too close, and it will cause sores; too far, and the horse can get enough grass to defeat the purpose.
- Halter: The muzzle must be attached to a breakaway halter. If the muzzle gets caught on a fence or branch, the halter needs to break to prevent a serious injury. Check the breakaway mechanism regularly.
Take the time to adjust the muzzle correctly when you first get it, and then check the fit every single day. Straps can stretch, and buckles can slip. A daily check takes ten seconds and can prevent weeks of treating painful rubs or, worse, a pasture accident.
Ultimately, choosing a muzzle is about matching the tool to the horse and the problem. There is no single "best" option, only the best option for your specific situation. By focusing on fit, comfort, and your primary goal—be it cribbing, grazing, or both—you can turn a muzzle from a necessary evil into a valuable management tool that keeps your horse safe and your property intact.
