Effects of Grazing Muzzles on Intakes of Dry Matter and Water-Soluble Carbohydrates by Ponies Grazing Spring, Summer, and Autumn Swards, as well as Autumn Swards of Different Heights

Abstract Dry matter (DM) and water-soluble carbohydrate (WSC) intakes (DMI and WSCI, respectively) were determined in four mature ponies, grazing spring, summer, and autumn pastures on four, 3-hour occasions per pony per season when fitted with or without a grazing muzzle. Pasture intakes were determined by change in liveweight (LW) over the 3-hour grazing period, after accounting for insensible weight loss and weight of excreta. Daily pasture samples were analyzed for DM and WSC. The effect of sward height on herbage intake characteristics by muzzled or unmuzzled ponies allowed 10 single bites of short (ca. 7 to 10 cm), medium (ca. 20 cm), and long (ca. 40 cm) swards was also investigated. Grazing muzzles significantly ( P P P