Need to slow your horse down and save hay? Here are some great options for a range of needs
The best slow feeders for horses can help with the constant struggle of providing continuous access to forage, while simultaneously slowing eating and prolonging grazing time. I know this struggle first hand as my pony is an incredibly good-doer and has had laminitis in the past, but has no ‘off switch’ when it comes to eating. I’d love to be able to provide him with ad lib hay, but he wouldn’t stop until it was gone. And if I leave him hay in the field, it lasts him no time at all and he ends up waiting for hours without anything to graze on.
To manage the situation, I have tried almost all of the options below before finally settling on my current setup, which is a wooden crate-style hay box with a small-holed net tied in – I have the Trickle Net Original, Elico Little Piggy nets, Equilibrium Portion Pacer and KM Elite Elim-A-Net Haynet on rotation. But something different will work for every horse, their personality and your setup – so I’ve included a wide range of options in this guide to ensure there’s a solution for everyone.
Best slow feeders for horses (including small-holed haynets)
Trickle Net Original Net
Capacity: 8.5kg hay
These nets are handmade from 4mm rot-proof braided polyethylene and have 2.5cm fixed holes, which are the smallest I’ve found.
Elico Little Piggy Haynet
Capacity: 6.5kg (standard) or 8.7kg (large) hay
This haynet has 3cm holes and is available in two sizes. Standard sizes are pink, while large sizes are black. I’ve used these nets for years and I love that I can pick them out of my pile easily because they’re pink.
KM Elite Elim-A-Net Haynet
Capacity: 3.5kg hay (pony), 5.5kg (cob), 7.5kg (horse)
These nets have two directions of mesh to create a more challenging barrier, which is different to all the others I’ve tried. Depending on the size of the net, the holes are 2.5cm (pony), 3cm (cob) and 3.5cm (horse), and the nets have metal rings at the top and bottom, which I like as it gives you something hardwearing to tie to.
Parallax Hay Saver
Colours: Black, green or blue
Capacity: 20kg hay
This feeder can be used in the stable or field and is made of strong frost-resistant plastic. It can hold a small rectangular bale of hay and slows feeding by around 50%. You can opt for a plastic grill or 4.5xm net grill, although the net is not suitable for shod horses.
Equilibrium Portion Pacer Slow Feeder Haynet
Capacity: 2kg hay (XS), 4kg (S), 6kg (M), 8kg (L) or 12kg (XL)
Equilibrium have two styles of Portion Pacer nets, the Slow Feeder (with 3cm holes) that extends eating time by up to 30%, but you can also get the Steady Feeder, which has 6cm holes and a similar feed rate to ad lib, floor fed hay. It is made from long lasting, strong polypropylene woven into a soft knotless design and is fully recyclable at home at the end of its long life.
I love the great range of sizes this net comes in and that it feels so soft – the only thing I don’t use it for is soaking as it holds the water and takes a long time to fully dry out.
Trickle Net Round Bale Net
Capacity: Large round bales up to 1.5m/5ft diamter)
If you feed round bales out in the field, this is an ideal way to reduce wastage and mess at the same time. It can double the time your bale lasts thanks to the 3.5cm holes – and it’s waterproof, so you don’t need to worry about it being out in all weathers.
You can also get a Trickle Net Topper Net, which is designed to fit in the large feeding rings (2.25m diameter) – and I’ve seen these used really effectively.
Haygain Forager
Capacity: 12kg hay
This feeder has two interchangeable regulator grids allowing you to choose between two difficulty levels. It is fully collapsible to allow for easy cleaning and the bottom can be filled with sand for added stability. The external metal ring slides down with the hay to easily shows how full the feeder is.
Trickle Net Small Bale Net
Capacity: Small hay bale (approx 20kg)
This net can hold a whole small bale and has 2.5cm holes. It can be hung between posts, from trees or secured into a bath or tub. If your horse is unshod, you can also leave it loose on the ground.
Eazigrazer
Colours: Black, green, purple, pink, blue or red
Capacity: 6kg hay
This feeder has a plug and drain that allows you to soak the hay easily. There is a choice of three regulator hole sizes – 7cm, 9cm or 10cm.
Trickle Net Softee Net
Capacity: 4kg hay (small) or 8kg (large)
These nets are knotless, which is kinder on your hands, and made with a strong 5mm braided twine with 2.5cm fixed holes.
Parallax Hay Play
Colours: 9 colours
Capacity: 3kg hay
This hay ball makes grazing a bit more of a challenge with holes either 5cm or 7cm in diameter. It is suitable for use in the field or stable, and is made from a tough plastic and has recessed holes to prevent dirt getting in, which is especially important if you’re in a sandy area.
What is a slow forage feeder?
Slow feeders are available in a range of designs, from small-holed nets to hay boxes, and they all work in the same way. The smaller the area or holes are to get to the hay, the slower your horse will be able to eat, which lengthens time the hay will be available to him. You might be familiar with slow feeders for dogs and these have a similar concept.
Benefits of using a slow forage feeder
- Replicate natural grazing pattern – feeders that encourage horses to get their heads down will help keep their airways clearer and are closer to their natural feeding habits
- Extend eating time – by doing this, slow feeders help to to mitigate the risks of over-feeding, obesity, cribbing, colic and ulcers
- Help keep horses occupied – this is particularly useful if your horse is on box rest or has restricted grazing
- Minimises wastage – this saves us money and is going to be particularly important this year with the reported poor hay yield
- Reduces mess – this ties into wastage but it should help protect your fields, too
- Protects the nutrient levels of hay from decreasing due to weather conditions
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