If you are a horse owner, it is a good idea to consider slow feeders for your horse’s hay. This helps ensure they are getting enough food in an adequate amount of time. Horses are not naturally designed to eat designated meals throughout the day, as they are grazing animals.

Slow hay feeders imitate their natural grazing instincts by providing a constant source of hay throughout the day. However, there are several things you should know about hay slow-feeders before investing in one. While they are an excellent idea and highly recommended for horses, you should be educated on how to properly use one. In this article, we’ll discuss the benefits of hay slow feeders as well as how to properly use them. 

What is a Hay Slow-Feeder? 

Hay slow-feeders are designed to do exactly what you’d think – to slow down your horse while they eat. Oftentimes, if you give your horse access to all their food at once, they will eat rapidly. This is an anxious mannerism that stems from a fear of not having food to eat later.

However, eating rapidly can have very negative effects on your horse. It can cause damage to their mouth, teeth, and gums. Eating too quickly can also cause digestive issues for your horse.

Hay slow feeders come in many different designs, but they all serve the same purpose. You can have hanging slow feeders or slow feeders that rest on the ground. Hanging feeders are typically made of various kinds of nets. Other feeders are in the shape of a ball with various holes for the hay to stick out. These can be multipurpose as they can serve as both a slow feeder and also a toy for your horse to kick around!

Additionally, many slow feeders have multiple options to choose from in terms of how large the holes are. This way, you can make it more difficult for your horse to get hay if they are eating too quickly. You may also want to look for a hay feeder with drains in the bottom if you’d like to soak your hay.

Best Slow Hay Feeder for Horses

The best slow hay feeder for horses is the TEKE General Slow hay Feeder. It is 40 inches long and has holes that are 2 inches in diameter.

I also like it because you can choose from a variety of colors. Best of all, it is very affordable. You can purchase it on amazon for only $15.

Below are some other good, cheap slow hay feeders for horses.

If you need some advice on chopping hay, you should check out my guide on how to chop hay for horses.

Regardless of what hay feeder you choose, you need to know how to properly use one to reap the most amount of benefits. 

How Should I Use a Hay Slow-Feeder? 

One of the primary advantages of getting a hay slow feeder is to provide your horse with access to food at all times during the day. This is a great way to put weight on a horse. To properly use a hay feeder, you need to make sure that it is fully stocked with hay throughout the day.

You will likely need to refill your hay feeder once or twice every day. Furthermore, it is a good idea to invest in multiple slow hay feeders. This isn’t necessarily to provide more food for your horses, but instead to encourage your horses to move around more. Mobility is very important for your horse’s health, so it is important to promote that.

By situating slow feeders around your horse’s enclosure or investing in a mobile slow feeder such as the ball structures discussed above, you’ll get your horse up and moving. Being stationary for extended periods can have serious ramifications on your horse’s well-being and may have consequences on its mental state. 

Final Thoughts 

Slow hay feeders are an excellent investment if you’re noticing that your horse is eating too fast or is too stationary throughout the day. They promote eating slowly which is great for your horse’s overall health. Eating and grazing throughout the day are natural for horses.

They are naturally designed to eat several separate meals throughout the day. Therefore, slow hay feeders mimic their instincts and fulfill their nutritional needs in the way in which their body is designed. There are many different kinds of slow hay feeders to choose from.

You can invest in hanging hay slow feeders or ground hay slow feeders. Additionally, you may want to choose mobile hay slow feeders as they will promote mobility and provide some fun for your horse as they push it around throughout the day.

Overall, it doesn’t matter too much what type of hay slow-feeder you get. All that matters is that your horse will be eating healthier and in a way that is more natural for them.