Getting Started: Slow Feeding for Horses

Horses are grazing animals designed to eat small amounts and be moving 18-20 hours a day. Unlimited access to forage is best, but most horses are kept in smaller areas than in the wild and don't move enough. Introducing slow feeding nets simulates their natural grazing behavior. They eat more slowly and receive mental stimulation as they work to access their food.

To live with us, horses have to adapt to human-imposed lifestyles. They are dependant on us for both food and exercise—consequently, we have altered their natural rhythms.  Slow feeding with Handy Hay Nets™ restores these rhythms, allowing horses to buffer stomach acid which prevents ulcers and provides a steady stream of energy (trickle feeding). This means you can ride, train or play at any time.

Handy Hay Nets - Getting started guide.

Download the pdf of this guide here and keep a copy out at the barn.

• When you first introduce animals to slow feeder hay nets, make sure there is also loose hay available. During the transition, never feed only with a hay net if your animal is hungry as this will cause stress and frustration. We recommend you feed 3/4 of what you would normally feed in addition to the hay bag to start.

• It can take anywhere from a week to a month for animals to really get the hang of eating from our hay nets, but most people find that when they do, they prefer their bags to the loose hay!

• Hungry animals will often paw or bite through the netting. As they adjust, they use their teeth and lips to pull the hay through the holes.

• Don’t pack the bag too tight or they won't be able to get the hay out. Pull some hay through the netting to help them get the idea.

• Quick drops in temperature and very cold weather can require your animals to need additional loose hay. The loose hay can help them maintain their body temperature during cold snaps.

• Don’t let your Handy Hay Net run out. Hay becomes harder to get out as the bag empties due to all the broken bits. Empty them out on the ground so your animals can clean up the last bits.

• Trickle Feeding means having a constant supply of forage available at all times. Trust that your animals will adjust over time and settle into a balanced weight.

• Ensure your slow feeder for horses is consistently filled to avoid frustration and maximize its effectiveness. Trickle feeding with a slow feeder ensures your equine companions have a steady supply of forage, promoting natural grazing behaviors and supporting their overall well-being.

• *CAUTION* If your horse is shod please make sure that they do not contact the net with their hooves at any time. Put it in a bin or feeder, or hang it so they cannot paw it. Watch some videos.

• *CAUTION* Do not use with unsupervised haltered animals.