Grazing restrictor

Abstract

A grazing restrictor for attaching to a halter. The restrictor includes a body portion surrounding a central opening. Elongate segments extend outward from the body portion. The elongate segments have openings defined therein. The elongate segments are configured and arranged to be folded upward relative to the body portion to form the shape of a muzzle. The grazing restrictor is formed from an elastic material capable of laying flat in a first configuration and being folded into the shape of a muzzle in a second configuration.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A grazing restrictor for attaching to a halter, the restrictor comprising:
 a body portion having at least one central opening;   a plurality of elongate segments extending outward from the body portion, the elongate segments having a plurality of openings defined therein, the plurality of elongate segments configured and arranged to fold upward relative to the body portion to form the shape of a muzzle; and,   a plurality of ties configured to be inserted through one or more of the plurality of openings and around the halter.   
     
     
         2 . The grazing restrictor of  claim 1  wherein each of the plurality of ties have a first end and a second end configured to be attached in end to end fashion. 
     
     
         3 . The grazing restrictor of  claim 1 , wherein the body portion and the plurality of elongate segments are formed as a unitary member. 
     
     
         4 . The grazing restrictor of  claim 1 , wherein the body portion and the plurality of elongate segments comprise an elastic material. 
     
     
         5 . The grazing restrictor of  claim 1 , wherein the body portion and the plurality of elongate segments comprise polyether urethane. 
     
     
         6 . The grazing restrictor of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of ventilation openings formed in one of the body portion and the plurality of elongate segments. 
     
     
         7 . The grazing restrictor of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of elongate segments further comprise finger-like projections. 
     
     
         8 . The grazing restrictor of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of ties comprise low profile cable ties. 
     
     
         9 . The grazing restrictor of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more ventilation openings in the plurality of elongate segments. 
     
     
         10 . The grazing restrictor of  claim 1 , wherein the central opening is sized to provide a throughput restriction on the amount of forage ingested while grazing. 
     
     
         11 . The grazing restrictor of  claim 1 , wherein the restrictor is formed from a clear material. 
     
     
         12 . A grazing restrictor for attaching to a halter, the restrictor comprising:
 a body portion having a central opening, the central opening sized to provide a throughput restriction on the amount of forage ingested while grazing;   a plurality of elongate segments extending outward from the body portion, the plurality of elongate segments having a plurality of openings defined therein, the plurality of elongate segments configured to fold upward relative to the body portion to form the shape of a muzzle;   a plurality of ties configured to be inserted through one or more of the plurality of openings and around the halter; and,   wherein the body portion and the plurality of elongate segments are formed as a unitary, elastic member configured and arranged to lay flat in a first configuration and to be folded into the shape of a muzzle by folding the plurality of elongate segments upward relative to the body portion in a second configuration.   
     
     
         13 . The grazing restrictor of  claim 12 , wherein each of the plurality of ties have a first end and a second end configured to be attached in end to end fashion. 
     
     
         14 . The grazing restrictor of  claim 12 , wherein the body portion and the plurality of elongate segments comprise polyether urethane. 
     
     
         15 . The grazing restrictor of  claim 12 , further comprising a plurality of ventilation openings formed in one of the body portion and the plurality of elongate segments. 
     
     
         16 . The grazing restrictor of  claim 12 , wherein the plurality of elongate segments further comprise finger-like projections. 
     
     
         17 . The grazing restrictor of  claim 12 , wherein the plurality of ties comprise low profile cable ties. 
     
     
         18 . The grazing restrictor of  claim 12 , further comprising one or more ventilation openings in the plurality of elongate segments. 
     
     
         19 . The grazing restrictor of  claim 12 , wherein the restrictor is formed from a clear material. 
     
     
         20 . A grazing restrictor for attaching to a halter, the restrictor comprising:
 a body portion having a central opening, the central opening sized to provide a throughput restriction on the amount of forage ingested while grazing;   a plurality of elongate segments extending outward from the body portion;   means for attaching the restrictor to the halter; and,   wherein the plurality of elongate segments are configured and arranged such that, when the restrictor is attached to the halter, the elongate segments are biased outwardly from the halter.   
     
     
         21 . The grazing restrictor of  claim 20 , wherein the means for attaching comprises a device selected from the group consisting of at least one cable tie, button, hook and loop fastener, and quick connect coupling. 
     
     
         22 . A combination, comprising:
 a halter;   a grazing restrictor mounted on the halter, the restrictor having a body portion having a central opening, the central opening sized to provide a throughput restriction on the amount of forage ingested while grazing, a plurality of elongate segments extending outward from the body portion, the plurality of elongate segments having a plurality of openings defined therein, the plurality of elongate segments configured to fold upward relative to the body portion to form the shape of a muzzle, wherein the body portion and the plurality of elongate segments are formed as a unitary, elastic member configured and arranged to lay flat in a first configuration and to be folded into the shape of a muzzle by folding the plurality of elongate segments upward relative to the body portion in a second configuration.   
     
     
         23 . The combination of  claim 22 , wherein the body portion and the plurality of elongate segments comprise polyether urethane. 
     
     
         24 . The combination of  claim 22 , further comprising a plurality of ventilation openings formed in one of the body portion and the plurality of elongate segments. 
     
     
         25 . The combination of  claim 22 , wherein the plurality of elongate segments further comprise finger-like projections.