Improve your horse's health and weight, saving money in the process.
In the wild, horses are natural foragers who spend most of their time grazing on small amounts of vegetation. However, domestic horses are often confined to stables and given hay or pellets as their sole source of nutrition. As a result, they can become bored and frustrated, leading to health problems such as ulcers and colic.
Why are Slow Feeders Good for Horses?
Slow Feeders are designed to simulate a horse's natural grazing habits, becoming increasingly popular in recent years. There are many benefits to using slow feeders, including improved health and decreased hay waste. Slow feeders can also help to promote bonding between horse and owner, as the owner must spend time filling and cleaning the feeder regularly. As more people learn about the benefits of slow feeders, they will likely continue to gain in popularity.
As any horse owner knows, a healthy diet is essential for maintaining a horse's health. However, it can be difficult to control how much a horse eats, as they are natural grazers and tend to eat large amounts of food at once. This can lead to overeating, weight gain, and digestive problems such as colic. Slow feeders can help to prevent these problems by controlling the amount of food a horse eats at one time.
Slow feeders help reduce stress and anxiety and promote healthy digestion by ensuring that horses eat smaller meals more slowly. As a result, slow feeders can play an important role in maintaining a horse's health.
Hay is vital to a horse's health and diet, providing essential nutrients and fiber. However, hay can be expensive, and it is not uncommon for horses to waste hay by gorging themselves and leaving much of it uneaten. Slow feeders can help to reduce hay waste by encouraging horses to eat more slowly and nibble at their food.
A slow feeder typically has compartments or metal bars that space the hay, forcing the horse to take smaller bites. As a result, the horse can savor the hay and digest it more effectively. In addition, slow feeders can help horses to stay calm and avoid overeating, which can lead to health problems. For all these reasons, slow feeders can be a valuable investment for horse owners looking to reduce hay waste.
Recap of the Benefits of Slow Feeders:
- Improve Health
- Reduce Hay Waste
- Promote Bonding Between Horse and Owner
- Prevent Overeating
- Reduce Stress and Anxiety
- Promote Healthy Digestion
Choosing a Slow Feeder for Your Horse
When choosing a slow feeder for your horse, remember a few things. First, select a feeder that is the appropriate size for your horse. There are a variety of sizes available on the market, so it shouldn't be too difficult to find one that will suit your horse's needs. Second, make sure to choose a feeder specifically designed for horses. While many slow feeders are available, only some of them are safe for horses to use.
When installing your slow feeder, place it in a safe location where your horse cannot knock it over or become tangled in it. Following the guidelines above can help ensure that your horse gets the most out of his or her slow feeder. Check out our blog on The Top 10 Slow Feeders to help you decide which one is best for you.
Recap on How to Choose a Slow Feeder for Your Horse:
- Select a Feeder That’s an Appropriate Size for Your Horse
- Choose a Feeder That’s Specifically Designed for Horses
- Hang Your Slow Feeder in a Safe Location
At Schneiders, we always want what's best for your horse. Our team member, Maria, has a quick tip to share with you - use floor feeders that are easily removable for cribbers.
"My horse became obsessed with his mounted feed bucket...licking at it most during the day, then biting at it over time and starting to suck on it throughout the day. When I removed it and started using a portable ground feeder, he stopped forming the habit, and I didn't have to worry about broken or bent feed buckets."
Simply insert the floor feeder during breakfast or dinner and remove it after each feeding to help prevent cribbing.
Click to shop more Slow Feeders for Horses.
