Slow Feeder, Hay Net Tooth & Gum Damage & Solutions!

[@yenbad1000]

It's wonderful that you've done this study. I use the hay nets with smaller holes that hold 100lb bales of hay. We stand them up against the wall of the stall and then attach them to the wall using a carabiner with a snap hook. It's heavy to fill a whole bale (without strings) and I move it using a hand truck (dolly) but it lasts 1 horse about 4-5 days. This honestly works beautifully for us.

[@ListenToYourHorse]

Great!

[@petespuppy2491]

Thank you for taking the time and care to figure this out and share! I’m trying to figure out how to better protect a round bale. Glad I saw this I’m concerned about safety and cost!

[@ListenToYourHorse]

You are so welcome!

[@user-nw2ns3lw2h]

Wow! Thanks for doing this. Great info.

[@luv2rackon]

I like you. It's clear your horses like you too. They are all very relaxed and content. I like that you try to listen to them and give them what they need.

[@alwaysprepared]

Very interesting and informative! I love that your are doing this for the horses!!

[@keitoth9697]

You are brilliant! Mindful of the horse's temperament and body.

[@ShuzenMisaki]

love watching makah-mahpee just putzing around with ya, stealing nibbles, futzing with your hair, he really is such a good spirit

[@ListenToYourHorse]

Truly he is! And still doesn't want to be touched at all, except on the tip of his muzzle. Bless.

[@steel12city17cowgirl]

You’re an Amazing Teacher, Jini also an Incredible Empath with you’re Beautiful Horse’s!! ✨🕊💫💖💦🐴💦💖💫🕊✨

[@ListenToYourHorse]

Thank you! 😊

[@Vettcm]

Tooth or gum problems are often also due to a constant lack of minerals and micronutrients, which influence the hardness of the tooth cement.

[@ListenToYourHorse]

YES! Very good point. We need to make sure we always have free-choice minerals available and supplement with vitamins/aminos if our horses are not in an environment where they can forage 25-30 different plant species per day. BUT even in that environment, if the land has been overgrazed for years, or treated with herbicides etc, then you still need to have free-choice minerals available.

[@edith4246]

Amazing vídeo 🐎💥

[@jonigleason6678]

In addition, my 2 older horses have access to a netted hay basket 24/7 - I feel bad for the easy keepers right next door when they are out and have to wait til next feeding - would they even themselves out maybe?

[@jennyg.1287]

I am at a boarding barn that doesn't allow hay nets, I want to put a slow feeder box in but it prevents me from using netting/ webbing. have you tried a board with round holes cut out?

[@ListenToYourHorse]

No but I’ve seen others who’ve used it and been happy with it

[@jonigleason6678]

Great video - thank you! I am wondering tho, do you always have your slow feeders filled so they have access 24/7? I am so used to feeding that way, but now I have 2 very easy keepers (1 mine and 1 a boarder) and I have them on a schedule - 2 hanging net feeds and 1 loose hay 3x a day and a more (big flake and 1/2) at night in a netted tub. Thought on that or access 24/7? I feel that these two would eat up their whole ration in a few hours!!

[@ListenToYourHorse]

Sorry I've been traveling and just saw your comments! I think this article will be very helpful and should give you some ideas: listentoyourhorse.com/the-challenge-of-feeding-horses-in-rainforest-climates/

[@jonigleason6678]

@@ListenToYourHorse I read it thanks so much! And amazingly, I believe we have come to that point where they’re getting unlimited hay and they’re actually letting some of it sit - so I totally believe that article and am experiencing it myself now!

[@ListenToYourGut1st]

@@jonigleason6678 That's awesome - congrats!!

[@nexusfarms5152]

Mine would eat all the wood to and what you may have missed is the slow feed part. As some horses will over eat. Being overweight is not healthy or natural, so hard on structure and joints especially in older horses.

[@ListenToYourHorse]

Low sugar, 1st cut hay in slowfeeders is the solution.

[@mm25937]

How are the boxes treated?

[@ListenToYourHorse]

The boxes are all untreated wood (for health reasons) and then only the very bottom of the box (that sits on the ground) is treated wood. So there is another layer of untreated plywood that forms the bottom of the box, where the horses eat from - thus preventing any contact with the toxic chemicals used to treat/preserve wood.

[@charlenewilliams282]

sorrry, i had a hard time watching this. how many metal grates do u have to try to figure out that metal grates are bad for their teeth??

[@ListenToYourHorse]

I hear you. But you have to keep in mind that for 5 YEARS everyone was totally fine. And if you watch through to the end, some of them still preferred a metal grate (and no tooth damage). BUT if I were starting from scratch, I would just make hay net grates, using 2.5 inch holes/openings. No issues for teeth, or gums, of any horse.

[@andreadelao500]

Beautiful my friend 💖

[@Maria-ie2ic]

Beautiful horses 🐴👍🏻