page_title: Muzzle (mouth guard)
section_title: Equine muzzles
hierarchical_section_title: Muzzle (mouth guard) / Equine muzzles
caption_attribution_description: English: A grazing muzzle, prevents horses from overeating when on pasture. It has a small hole in the bottom that allows a small amount of grass to be consumed, thus meeting the horse's need to graze, and it also allows water to be consumed. It has a breakaway crownpiece on the headstall so that a horse is not trapped if the muzzle catches on an object.
context_page_description: A muzzle is a device that is placed over the snout of an animal to keep it from biting or otherwise opening its mouth.
  Muzzles can be primarily solid, with air holes to allow the animal to breathe, or formed from a set of straps that provides better air circulation and allow the animal to drink, and in some cases, eat. Leather, wire, plastic, and nylon are common materials for muzzles. The shape and construction of the muzzle might differ depending on whether the intent is to prevent an animal from biting or from eating, for example.
context_section_description: Certain muzzles with a wire-like structure are used on horses and related animals, usually to prevent biting or cribbing. Other types, known as "grazing muzzles", have a small opening in the center that allows limited intake of grass, and are used on obese horses or on those animals prone to laminitis or choke, to prevent them from eating too much or too fast.
  Horses trained for airscenting, for search and rescue or police work, often are worked in muzzles.  This helps to keep them focused on their work, because they cannot easily snatch bites of grass.
  Horse muzzles may be purchased in tack shops or from equestrian supply companies, and are available as a halter attachment, or as a separate piece of equipment.
caption: A grazing muzzle on a horse
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