The use of hay nets and slow feeders as feeding methods in horse management: A semi-systematic review.

Overview

• This research article reviews the use of hay nets and slow feeders in managing horse feeding, analyzing their effects on feeding duration, behaviour, forage conservation, and health.
• The study synthesizes findings from various studies to assess benefits and potential drawbacks of these feeding methods.

Introduction to Hay Nets and Slow Feeders

• Hay nets and slow feeders are designed to replicate natural grazing habits by extending the time horses spend eating forage.
• Extending forage intake helps improve digestive health and reduce stress-related behaviours in horses.
• However, the design and method of use of these devices can affect how effective they are and may introduce certain risks to the animals.

Research Objective and Methodology

• The review is semi-systematic, analyzing published studies from diverse academic databases including PubMed, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, and Scopus.
• It included 26 full-text studies published over a period from 2009 to 2025, indicating a recent and comprehensive scope.
• The focus was on several key areas: feeding time, behaviour changes, forage management efficiency, and overall health impacts on horses.

Main Findings

• Feeding Time Extension
  • Using hay nets or slow feeders typically extended the horses’ feeding time by about 40%, though this varied based on factors like mesh size, number of layers in nets, and type of forage used.
  • Smaller equines like ponies tended to experience a more pronounced increase in feeding time compared to larger horses.
• Forage Management and Economic Impact
  • Slow feeders led to significant reductions in forage waste, cutting losses from as high as 57% down to as little as 6%.
  • This reduction in waste has an economic benefit, with analyses showing that the purchase cost of these feeding devices could potentially be recovered within one year due to savings on feed.
• Behavioural Effects
  • Behavioural improvements were noted, such as reduced stereotypies like cribbing (a repetitive biting or sucking behaviour) and weaving (swaying or pacing), which are often signs of stress or boredom.
  • However, some designs that were overly restrictive caused negative behaviours, including frustration, pawing at the feeder, or throwing the nets.
• Postural and Musculoskeletal Concerns
  • Slow feeders placed on the ground encouraged horses to maintain a natural, relaxed head-down posture while eating.
  • In contrast, elevated hay nets forced horses to raise their necks and exert more pulling force, which could contribute to musculoskeletal strain and discomfort.
• Dental Health
  • Studies found minimal immediate impact on dental health from using hay nets or slow feeders.
  • Nonetheless, the long-term dental effects remain uncertain and require further investigation.
• Weight and Metabolic Health
  • Some studies observed that horses fed with hay nets lost between 20-23 kg compared to horses fed on the ground, which gained weight.
  • Other studies found no significant weight differences, indicating inconsistent effects possibly linked to individual or management differences.

Conclusions and Recommendations

• Hay nets and slow feeders offer significant welfare and management advantages, such as extending feeding time, reducing waste, and improving behavioural health.
• Design considerations are crucial; balancing efficiency with animal comfort and wellbeing is necessary to avoid unintended negative impacts.
• Different breeds, management systems, and individual horse needs should be considered when selecting and using these feeding devices.
• Further detailed research is required to optimize the design and use of hay nets and slow feeders, particularly regarding long-term health effects and breed-specific responses.