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 Expert
Posts: 2335
  
Location: IL | I want to purchase several slow feed hay nets for my horses. Please tell me what to look out for and pro's and cons. If you want to PM me a company name that you think is quality, please do. I don't want to buy anything that's going to fall apart. I know horses can be hard on things, but these nets can be pricey, so I will pay more for quality. Also let me know any problems with them like horse injuries or what I should look out for. Thanks |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 950
Location: MO | Going to watch this one...I am interested as well!!! |
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 Big Gun
Posts: 2216
Location: Texas | Is this for home use or shows? For home use I put mine in the ground on a mat. To me it's safer and healthier for them. I used to put mine in a slow feeder at shows so he wouldn't get bored, but now I put it on the ground as well. |
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 Expert
Posts: 4625
Location: Desert Land | I've tried a few and they were useless for me. T
he freedom feeders we're good quality I thought - but my horses figured out how to chew holes in them.
My horse figured out how to bang these against whatever I had them attached to so the hay would just fall out and then eat the hay off the ground: http://www.onlineequinesupplies.com/Hay_Feeders-Slow_feed_Hay_Feeder.html?gclid=Cj0KEQjwiJiiBRDh3Z-ctPfS5MgBEiQAAlkbQrzu_j13M_lPXM1Jd_OPOB-NVTpBmlowyrGT5O_-MyQaArxD8P8HAQ |
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  The Original Cyber Bartender
Location: Washington | If you already have hay nets just double bag the hay with your nets, it works well. |
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Unable to Live Without Chocolate or Coffee
Posts: 1849
| my horses hated them. I use regular hay nets and put mats down and/or put a feeder or trough under the hay net. |
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 Texas Lone Star
Posts: 5318
Location: where ever my L/Q trl is parked | I bought one that I hang- only have one horse that gobbles her hay. So far so good I don't remember the brand and the holes are about 1.5" wide- I got it from Teskeys- it cost only 14.95 I believe. I wasn't going to spend big $$$ on the lay down type or even a big name- wanted to make sure it would work. |
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 Banjo and Baby
Posts: 7259
Location: South of Canada and North of Mexico | I have 3 Cinch Chix ones for in my stalls, the one horse can eat his 3 flakes in record time on their standard holed net. There are some new ones I plan on trying out which are also made in Minnesota, they are $40 for a few flakes, they are called Hay Low Hay Nets. Much better design as far as putting hay in and Ive heard all great things about them. ETA- I LOVE them. Far less waste and gives the horses something to do - the horse in this picture can make 2 flakes last 2 hours.
Edited by watchpeppydoc 2014-10-21 2:14 PM
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Location: Saskatchewan | We bought the Eco Nets to try as I like the concept however a heads up if you have a horse that gets bored easily or is known to be destructive in their pen, they are a waste of money. In the first week my one gelding put 12 holes in his. Yes you can purchase the repair kits or they gave you a repair kit within the first 60 days but holy cow i'm glad I didnt buy the big feeders to fit a round bale. The other two that I had the nets with, they were very content and didnt damage them at all. As a few other posters said, double up a regular hay net and you have the same concept. I'm still on the fence about them as we're still testing ours out lol. |
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Expert
Posts: 2335
Location: IL | I was going to buy a couple for travel and about 4 for home. I have a ulcer prone horse, so I'd like to keep him with something in his stomach. My husband and I both work so I can't toss him hay all the time. I was looking at hayburners hay nets. They looked durable. I would like to try and keep them off the ground. I have sand and that's part of my problem with ulcers.
Edited by merdth6 2014-10-21 2:30 PM
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| I've had really good luck with Cinch Chix. Have them in all sizes and types. Inside I hang the bale size net so I'm not refilling that often. For outside I put the bale size inside a turned tractor tire or in a V feeder with the DIY net from Cinch Chix. Also feed some rounds with the large net over it.
I spent a good chuck on getting everything but have saved so much more. I'm one that always has hay in front of mine 24/7. I usually feed a grass/alfalfa mix and they would pick out the alfalfa and pee on the grass. They can't do that anymore. Much less waste to clean up too.
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 950
Location: MO | Can you buy netting and possibly make these yourself? |
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The Advice Guru
Posts: 6419
| Has anyone any organization done research on the long term use of these slow feeders and the impact on the horses teeth? |
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 Undercover Amish Mafia Member
Posts: 9992
Location: Kansas | What about those who use them on big bales? How does it work on those things?? |
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 Ima Non Controversial Girl
Posts: 4168
Location: where the wind blows | I bought the large ones for round bales but I can't remember the brand I got. Love them saved a ton on bales. Not near as much waste and horses didn't get obese on me like they usually do in winter. I had one in the pasture over the winter for pasture horses and one in the corral for the winter for the few I ride through winter. Worked great but you can't have shoes on your horse. Hubby was sceptical at first but after first month seeing how much less waste there was he was sold. I got a few holes in them but hubby and I repaired easily with a thin parachute type cord. Love them. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 1118
Location: The South | We got a couple of Cinch Chix small ones when we were at The American and I love them! My gelding would inhale his hay every night. Two or three flakes would be gone in no time.
My only complaint was that I couldn't load them easily but my husband had a stroke of genius and stretched the bag open on a lawn chair and now it's easy peasy for me lol. |
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Unable to Live Without Chocolate or Coffee
Posts: 1849
| cheryl makofka - 2014-10-21 2:04 AM Has anyone any organization done research on the long term use of these slow feeders and the impact on the horses teeth?
I was wondering about that myself. They really have to bite down and "rip" the hay to get it out of those tiny holes. At least that's how my horses were lol! They were getting mad about it I think. That left me wondering if that is hard on their teeth, mouth or neck??... Since its not really a "natural" movement. |
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The Resident Destroyer of Liberal Logic
Location: PNW | camocowgirl - 2014-10-21 5:55 PM
cheryl makofka - 2014-10-21 2:04 AM Has anyone any organization done research on the long term use of these slow feeders and the impact on the horses teeth?
I was wondering about that myself. They really have to bite down and "rip" the hay to get it out of those tiny holes. At least that's how my horses were lol! They were getting mad about it I think. That left me wondering if that is hard on their teeth, mouth or neck??... Since its not really a "natural" movement.
It's probably a fair bit easier on their teeth than cribbing: which is what my horse would do if it weren't for the silly haynet making him not waste his hay. He's a horrible mess in the stall and would always just trample and ruin his hay. The slowfeeds DRASTICALLY reduce waste due to his inability to poop on it and have an excuse not to eat it. |
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 Best of the Badlands
Location: You never know where I will show up...... | Would not be without mine. I have the small nets for the trailer and stalls and I have ones for big round bales also. They don't waste hardly any hay with them.
I have regular dental work done on my horses and can't say that anything has changed since I started using the nets.
I use the Cinch Chix nets. They are the best.
Bought some knock off ones out of SS Tack and they didn't hold up very well at all. |
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| LindsayJordan84 - 2014-10-21 5:54 PM
We got a couple of Cinch Chix small ones when we were at The American and I love them! My gelding would inhale his hay every night. Two or three flakes would be gone in no time.
My only complaint was that I couldn't load them easily but my husband had a stroke of genius and stretched the bag open on a lawn chair and now it's easy peasy for me lol.
I open mine and then put it in a trash can to fill. |
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Member
Posts: 7
| I feed my horses out of them and they are great! Especially with my mare that cribs, it keeps her busy and I keep her net full 24/7. If it for some reason is empty then she starts chewing since she can not crib with her collar on..... |
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 Expert
Posts: 1612
Location: Cocoa, Florida | I use them religiously |
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Expert
Posts: 1612
Location: Cocoa, Florida | If you're going to do them get the better quality ones, I order mine from smartpak.com look up slow feed hay nets they were $16.95 each |
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 Veteran
Posts: 150
Location: Northern CO | I love slow feed hay nets, especially if you keep hay available all the time for your horse. They are also great for goats and sheep. I hang mine because most of our guys have shoes. Although, I did put a ring in the center of an old metal tank and clip a few bags to it so they can't pull the nets out (this is how I would like to feed all of them but I need more tanks). I bought the Tough 1 brand and feel they held up very well (all last winter and used occasionally through the summer). To fill them I put them in a muck tub/empty lick tub and fold over the top like a trash bag. I also have a round bale size that I made from a hockey net that is great but maybe not as durable as some of the others. |
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 The BHW Book Worm
Posts: 1768
| Nipple nets are by for the best but you have to order them online....they are fantastic |
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 Veteran
Posts: 140
| I love my slow feed nets! I bought 2 Niblet slow nets and one Shires extra strong net at the same time. The Niblet nets only lasted about 5 months but the Shires is holding up really well. I can fit almost a whole bale in it. It's pretty much paid for its self with how much hay isn't being wasted now. |
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Expert
Posts: 2335
Location: IL | This is a great read! Has anyone used nets from Hayburners? I will look into the others mentioned. |
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 Warrior Mom
Posts: 4400
| Im seriously thinking about doing this for two of my horses in their stalls. For some reason they pee and poop on their hay and end up spreading it all over the place and dont eat it! So much wasted hay! |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 336
Location: MN | Cinch Chix nets are the only way to go...they're a little more expensive but they last forever and the women that run that company are stand-outs and do a lot to support the industry. |
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Expert
Posts: 4766
Location: Bandera, TX | I agree with the above post. Love the round bale and the small square bale versions. Mine are two years old and still going. They've feed 10 head. I always keep a small net in front of my horses even when I'm saddling to ride. I've like the bigdweb small bags as well. |
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Expert
Posts: 2531
Location: WI | Love my Cinch Chix for so many reasons! Less waste, and I know it prly sounds crazy, but I think it mentally challenges my horse he's much happier in a stall with it! |
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Expert
Posts: 4625
Location: Desert Land | Those that have the Cinch Chix ones - your horses are NOT chewing holes through them? The material they are made out of looks awfully thin. |
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Expert
Posts: 2335
Location: IL | TheOldGrayMare - 2014-10-22 10:48 AM Those that have the Cinch Chix ones - your horses are NOT chewing holes through them? The material they are made out of looks awfully thin.
I was curious also. I saw they sold a heavier duty one too. Which ones are you buying? |
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Expert
Posts: 4625
Location: Desert Land | merdth6 - 2014-10-22 8:52 AM TheOldGrayMare - 2014-10-22 10:48 AM Those that have the Cinch Chix ones - your horses are NOT chewing holes through them? The material they are made out of looks awfully thin. I was curious also. I saw they sold a heavier duty one too. Which ones are you buying?
I probably wont buy any more nets. My horses get them figured out. For at home, I have big slow feeders made out of a plastic produce bin and then a heavy weighted grate made of welded wire that goes over the hay.
This isn't exactly the one I have, but same concept:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qood5vtbXkc |
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 Expert
Posts: 2604
Location: Texas | I haven't read everyone's responses, but I wanted to share my experiences cuz I've been thru them all, even made my own. Below is a summary of what I have discovered:
The small hole hay nets are great when they are full. But once they get low on hay the holes collapse which makes it really hard for the horse to get a hold of any hay to pull any out. I liked the Nibblenets at first, but then decided I didn't like the webbing. My favorites are the Kensington slow feed hay nets. The holes don't collapse when the hay gets low. I use the Kensington's at the trailer, in the trailer or in the stall at shows. They come in both a small 2 flake size and a huge size that can hold practically enough for 24 hours. For at home in my stalls, I have have the Portagrazers. They are pricey, but last forever. |
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Rad Dork
Posts: 5218
Location: Oklahoma | Thistle2011 - 2014-10-21 10:41 PM Nipple nets are by for the best but you have to order them online....they are fantastic
those sound interesting  Couldn't help but laugh!!
I have a Hay Pillow. Only had it for about a week, but it's been pretty durable. I bought the extremely small holes because my gelding eats his hay soo fast. He doesn't waste, just eats fast. It's been nice to have at nights and during the day when his hay would run out, but it's a little bit extreme for him. So, I put him on a round bale and will save the hay pillow for overnight trips so he will constantly have hay in front of him. |
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Opinions on slow feed hay nets???