Equine · 9 min read
Slow feeder hay nets: hole size, hanging height and safety
Slow feeders stretch hay, cut waste and keep horses chewing the way their gut expects. Here is how to pick the right hole size and hang a net safely.
By WORKING ACRE Field Desk · Updated
Key takeaways
- A horse's gut is built for 16+ hours of chewing a day, and slow feeders get close to that.
- Start with 1.75-2 in. holes and step down to 1-1.5 in. once the horse adapts.
- Hang nets at chest height or use a ground feeder frame; never at a height a hoof can reach.
- Expect 15-30% less wasted hay compared with feeding off the ground.
/ Why slow feeding matters
Horses evolved to graze in small bites almost all day. When they get two big flakes morning and night, they finish in an hour and stand with an empty stomach for the rest of the time. Stomach acid keeps flowing whether there is food or not, which is one reason ulcers are so common in stalled horses. A slow feeder spreads the same ration over many more hours.
The second reason is money. Hay dropped on the ground gets trampled, soiled and refused. Owners who switch to nets and frames regularly report using noticeably less hay per horse over a winter.
/ Choosing a hole size
| Hole size | Eating speed | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 2-2.5 in. | Slightly slower than loose hay | First-time users, older horses, coarse hay |
| 1.5-1.75 in. | Moderate slowdown | Most adult horses on a maintenance ration |
| 1-1.25 in. | Strong slowdown | Easy keepers, ponies, weight management |
| Under 1 in. | Very slow | Only under guidance; can frustrate some horses |
/ Hanging a net safely
- 01Pick the heightThe bottom of a full net should sit around chest height. As it empties it will hang lower, so check it when it is nearly empty too.
- 02Use a breakaway tieTie with twine or a quick-release clip so the net gives way if a horse gets caught.
- 03Avoid shod horses and low netsA shoe can hook into a low-hanging net. Shod horses do better with a net inside a tub or a rigid frame.
- 04Check dailyLook for broken strands and tighten knots. A torn hole becomes a trap.
/ Nets, bags, tubs and frames
- Knotted nets: cheapest, flexible, easy to fill; good for trailers and stalls.
- Slow feeder bags with a solid back: easier to fill and less swinging.
- Ground tubs with a grid: most natural head-down posture, safe for shod horses.
- Round bale nets: huge savings in the field when several horses share a bale.
/ Common mistakes
- Going straight to the smallest hole size.
- Hanging the net above eye level, which pushes dust into the eyes and nose.
- Leaving an empty net hanging where a horse can put a leg through it.
- Filling the net so tight the hay cannot move through the holes.
/ Horse care routine
| Frequency | Tasks |
|---|---|
| Daily | Pick feet, check water and hay, look for swelling or heat on legs |
| Weekly | Clean tack and buckets, check fly gear and blankets |
| Every 6-8 weeks | Farrier visit |
| Yearly | Dental check, vaccinations, fecal egg count as advised |
/ Frequently asked
Do slow feeders wear down teeth?+
Nylon nets have not been shown to cause meaningful wear in normal use. Hard metal grids can, so choose feeders with coated or soft grids.
Can I soak hay in a hay net?+
Yes. Nets make soaking easier: fill, submerge in a tub, lift and drain before hanging.
How full should a net be?+
Loosely filled. The hay should shift when you squeeze the net so the horse can pull strands through.