Hey!
I recently made a DIY Horse Slow Feeder Tutorial, and I’m really excited to share it with you! I love the concept of slow feeding, because I think it’s really important for my horses to have forage available at all times. Unfortunately, some slow feeders can cost upwards of $300 and up! Who can afford that? In my DIY slow feeder tutorial, I used a trough I already had, and I ordered a slow feed hay net on Amazon. It took me all of five minutes to assemble, and my horses are loving it!
How to DIY a Slow Feeder For Horses
- Fill the Slow Feed Hay Net.
- Put the Hay Bag in the Tub.
- Secure the Hay Bag to the Tub.
Step One: Fill The Slow Feed Hay Net
Obviously, for this slow feeder tutorial, you need a hay net. I ordered the Large Shires Deluxe Hay Net on Amazon. I already had a few small hole hay nets, but I wanted to get a big one, so I could get a much hay in it as possible. That being said, I didn’t want to break the bank. Some large-bale hay nets are over $100. A little too rich for my blood. In Idaho, your average hay bales can run between 80-100 lbs. I was able to get about a half a bale into the hay bag, which is probably for the best, because carrying it around and lifting it was manageable. Once the hay net is stuffed, you need to close the top. I took the long rope it came with out, because I don’t need that inside of the feeder. I secured the top using a piece of hay string.
Step Two: Put The Hay Bag in The Tub
In this DIY horse slow feeder tutorial, I use a 100 gallon Rubbermaid trough. It’s a perfect fit for the hay net, but I’m sure you can use just about any old tub or trough you have lying around. The point is to make this slow feeder cheaply, otherwise you could just go drop a couple hundred bucks on a pre-made slow feeder.
Step Three: Secure The Hay Bag to The Tub
Finally, you need to secure the hay bag to the tub. You don’t want your horses pulling the hay bag out of the tub and stomping on it and dragging it all over the pasture. For this step, I decided to use a trusty hay string again. I thread it through some of the hay net, in about the middle of the net. I pulled the hay string through the drain hole, and then tied it to an old electric fence insulator piece. That way, the hay bag can’t be pulled out of the tub.
Durability and Longevity
I have only been using this feeder for about a week, but it is holding up very well. Occasionally, they tip it on its side, but the hay bag is secured, so it doesn’t come out. So far, I have to refill it about once every other day. My horses were already used to using small hole hay nets before I made this slow feeder, so they know how to eat from them. If you’ve never used a slow feeder or small hole hay net, make sure to introduce your horse gradually, and make sure they have loose hay available too. I’ve heard that frustrated horses can be hard on hay nets, so keep that in mind.
Reduced Hay Waste
One of my favorite things about this hay net is that it really cuts down on waste. Even when I hang hay nets, a certain amount will drop to the ground, never to be picked up again. With this feeder, everything falls into the tub. Bamboozal actually likes to shake the net in the tub and then eat the scraps that fall out onto the bottom. I’m very excited to have this feeder for the winter here, because it’s so windy. I’ve seen unsecured hay rations blow out of a horse’s pasture, so knowing that they will have forage available in poor weather is wonderful.
Slow Feeders Are a Time Saver
These are also a huge time saver. When you only feed twice a day, you have to stick to a schedule. It doesn’t matter what else is going on in your life or what your plans are, you better not be a minute late to throw hay for breakfast or dinner. With slow feeders, I can just top them off once a day or refill them completely every other day, and my horses are good to go. They’re not stressed out at 5:01 p.m. waiting for their dinner. They don’t have to feel insecure or anxious about when their next meal is coming, and I can make plans or go out for dinner or sleep in, because I know they have plenty of hay available.
Better Horse Care and Husbandry With Slow Feeding
Ultimately, the best part of using a DIY slow feeder is that it really improves your horse care and husbandry. Horses are built to graze and forage for their food. They’re not built for one or two meals a day. With a slow feeder, you can mimic a more natural diet. Research shows that empty tummies cause ulcers, and ulcers cause pain, and pain causes behavior problems. Why not use a slow feeder and eliminate potentially pain-related behavioral issues before they start? I’ve been using slow feed nets for years, but I really love my new slow feeder tub. You can get a hay net like mine here! Do you use a slow feeder?
Until next time, Happy Trails!
P.S. ****Caution should be exercised when using slow feeders with shod horses.****