Modern horse keeping in stables brings new challenges: how to ensure that horses have enough time for chewing and digestion, while reducing feed waste and making work easier for staff?
Traditionally, hay was fed on the ground, which allows the most natural feeding position. However, three daily meals leave long breaks, especially overnight, which can lead to colic, digestive problems and stereotypical behavior.
One of the simplest solutions are hay nets, which significantly extend feeding times. Studies show they can double chewing time compared to loose feeding. However, the correct mesh size and hanging height must be considered – too large holes allow quick hay removal, while too small ones can make feeding difficult for older or sensitive horses.
Feeders with narrow bars or grids allow larger amounts of hay to be available while horses eat more gradually. They support natural posture and reduce waste.
Automatic feeding systems are becoming increasingly popular. They divide the daily ration into several smaller portions, keeping horses satisfied without overeating. For owners and workers, this means less effort and greater flexibility. Some machines even detect the horse’s presence in the box and release hay only when it is there.
Advantages of new systems
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prolonged chewing – healthier digestion
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less hay waste and cleaning
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more even feed distribution
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more flexibility for owners and staff
