What makes a slow feed hay net actually slow your horse down?

This is why hole size, not net thickness or bag capacity, is the number that matters most. A net with 1-inch or 1.25-inch squares, like the Schneiders 1" Extra Slow Feed Nylon Hay Net or the Schneiders Easy-Open Knotless 1.25" Slow Feed Hay Net, forces a horse to nibble a few strands at a time because the lips simply cannot pull a full mouthful through. Move up to 2-inch or 3-inch diamonds, like the Dura-Tech Everlast 2" Slow Feed Poly Hay Net or the Dura-Tech Everlast 3" Poly Hay Net, and a horse can get a reasonable mouthful through in one pull, which is why those larger nets are marketed on reducing waste and frustration rather than on maximum slowing.

That extra time matters because a horse's stomach produces acid continuously, whether or not there is anything to buffer it. Saliva, produced only while chewing, is your horse's natural acid buffer. More hours spent chewing means more hours of saliva production and a steadier stomach environment, which is the mechanism behind the common claim that slow feeders "support digestion." It is also why barns with long empty-stomach gaps between meals often see more cribbing and weaving — an idle horse with nothing to chew is an idle stomach too.

Knotless nets, like the 1-inch net and the 1.5" Knotless Hay Net for the Easy-Up Pro Fold-Up Hay Feeder, are woven so there is no hard knot at each intersection, which is gentler on the mouth over a long feeding session and matters most for the smallest hole sizes, where a horse spends the most time in contact with the net. Webbed openings, seen on the Dura-Tech Large Slow Feed 1.5" Net Hay Bag and similar bags, use flat woven strips instead of rope, which spreads pressure over a wider surface and tends to hold its shape better than rope under a determined eater.

Notice that price does not track directly with hole size — the smallest openings and the largest are both represented at both ends of the price range. What separates them is construction: the knotless, frame-fit, and reinforced options cost more because they hold their shape and stay gentle on the mouth under repeated pulling, while a basic knotted net at the same hole size is a lower-cost way to test whether your horse tolerates a slow feeder at all before you invest in a frame system.

What hole size should I start with?

For most healthy adult horses, 1.5 inches is a reasonable middle ground between meaningful slowing and low frustration. Horses new to slow feeding often do better starting at 2 inches, then moving to a smaller size once they are pulling hay confidently rather than pawing or giving up.

Does a smaller hole mean my horse eats less hay overall?

No. A slow feed net changes the rate of intake, not the total amount a horse will eventually eat from a given amount of hay. If you need to restrict total hay for weight management, that is a separate calculation to make with your vet, not something a net alone accomplishes.

Is a hanging net or a frame-mounted net better?

A frame holds the net taut against a fixed edge, so a horse's effort goes into working the hole rather than swinging the whole bag, and it keeps netting off the ground and away from hooves. A hanging net is simpler and portable, which makes it a fine choice for trailering or turnout where a frame is not practical.

Will a slow feed net frustrate my horse?

Some horses paw or bang a net when they first meet a small hole size, especially if they are used to a loose pile. Starting at a larger hole size, such as 2 or 3 inches, and sizing down over a week or two generally avoids this, and a frame-mounted net reduces frustration further by keeping the net still.

Can I use a slow feed net for horses with dental problems?

Softer knotless materials are gentler on the mouth for horses with sensitive gums, but a horse with significant dental issues may struggle to strip hay through small openings at all. Talk with your vet or equine dentist about hole size for a horse with known dental limitations before choosing a net.