Posted 2014-03-25 9:44 AM Subject: Anybody recommend a slow hay feeder? Or DIY?
Elite Veteran
Posts: 1028
Do any of you have a preference on slow feeders or has anybody gotten creative and built their own? Pictures would be great as well! Always looking for a way for them to waste less hay and less of my $$$.
Posted 2014-03-25 10:09 AM Subject: RE: Anybody recommend a slow hay feeder? Or DIY?
Member
Posts: 45
as far as hay goes, I use the Nibble Net in my stalls. My gelding used to leave about 50% of his hay then poop in it! I like the durability and the option to choose from all different sizes when ordering. He also likes to throw the thing around and play with it (hence why I didn't go with a cheaper brand), all in all, its held up like a champ and he always eats all of his hay now
Posted 2014-03-25 11:38 AM Subject: RE: Anybody recommend a slow hay feeder? Or DIY?
Expert
Posts: 1857
Seen this the other day, can't find the pic with it actually hung and full of hay but you get the idea. It also has the lid so the hay doesn't get wet.
Posted 2014-03-25 11:51 AM Subject: RE: Anybody recommend a slow hay feeder? Or DIY?
Pork Fat is my Favorite
Posts: 3791 Location: The Oklahoma plains.
I bought one of these to try. It is very effective but my husband doesnt like taking the grate out and in- I dont mind it-and since my horses are shod-I am not comfortable with the nets on the ground and I want my horses to eat head lowered.
Posted 2014-03-25 12:41 PM Subject: RE: Anybody recommend a slow hay feeder? Or DIY?
Expert
Posts: 1257 Location: Colorado plains standing on a goat head!
I used a plastic 100 tank and cut 4" x 4" cattle panel to fit in the bottom. Then bolted eye bolts on each side and ran a light chain with double snaps to the eye bolts. It slows him down and holds a few flakes at a time. He is a big headed horse, for a smaller horse a 3" x 3" grate may be better. I had trouble finding those other than a store display wholesaler. You may have hog panels available in that size depending where you live. I will try to take a picture tonight. Cheap and easy!
Posted 2014-03-25 3:28 PM Subject: RE: Anybody recommend a slow hay feeder? Or DIY?
Pork Fat is my Favorite
Posts: 3791 Location: The Oklahoma plains.
TurnLane - 2014-03-25 11:51 AM I bought one of these to try. It is very effective but my husband doesnt like taking the grate out and in- I dont mind it-and since my horses are shod-I am not comfortable with the nets on the ground and I want my horses to eat head lowered.
Posted 2014-03-25 4:49 PM Subject: RE: Anybody recommend a slow hay feeder? Or DIY?
Veteran
Posts: 185
I use something like a nibble net bought it from a local tack store not sure of the brand. Think its one of these...http://www.busyhorse.com/I didn't want to wait for a nibble net at the time. Its got the thick nylony webbing grid. I got scared when I read some stuff about the small string bags - mostly gum soreness/red/bleeding and I guess some horses have gotten it stuck between their teeth and pulled teeth out or gotten into an awful mess. I just didn't want to take a chance. It makes sense the small string rubbing on their gums and I'm sure the teeth thing probably depends on the age of the horse but still. I also didn't want him getting tangled up in the small string bag when emptied. Figured the nice big black nylon (or whatever the material is) would be safer and hold it shape more when empty. My bag has about 1.5inch squares
My gelding figured it out in no time and not long after figure out how to take it off the wall and toss it around and play with it
Now I just put it on the ground - its double sided with the squares. I do weave a rope threw the top to keep it close and to keep him from getting feet stuck in it.
He is not in very much but it gives him something to do. I think I'll get a nibble net (big bale one) for outside. Mine is fine but hard to stuff, the nibble nets are boxier and stuffing is probably easier. This little one will be nice for competitions tho.
Posted 2014-03-27 9:28 AM Subject: RE: Anybody recommend a slow hay feeder? Or DIY?
FlyingJT - 2014-03-25 11:38 AM
Seen this the other day, can't find the pic with it actually hung and full of hay but you get the idea. It also has the lid so the hay doesn't get wet.
Posted 2014-03-27 9:35 AM Subject: RE: Anybody recommend a slow hay feeder? Or DIY?
Expert
Posts: 1857
MRM27 - 2014-03-27 9:28 AM
FlyingJT - 2014-03-25 11:38 AM
Seen this the other day, can't find the pic with it actually hung and full of hay but you get the idea. It also has the lid so the hay doesn't get wet.
Posted 2014-03-27 9:58 AM Subject: RE: Anybody recommend a slow hay feeder? Or DIY?
Expert
Posts: 2604 Location: Texas
I used to use the Nibblenets and loved them.
But then I found the Kensington Slow Feed Bags and loved them even more. (You can get these from KVequine.com) I have two of the large 4 flake (which hold a LOT of hay) and two of the smaller 2 flake. The 2 flake are really too small for overnight. Like these better than the Nibblenets cuz the horses can manuver around the string better than the webbing. I use the smaller ones in the trailer or on the side of the trailer. They have held up great. I don't really use the large 4 flake ones anymore.
I also have three of the Porta-Grazers in my barn. http://www.porta-grazer.com/Absolutely love these the best for every day at home in the barn.
Anybody recommend a slow hay feeder? Or DIY?
