Hay Feeding Systems: Nets, Bags, Feeders & More

When it comes to feeding forage, horse owners have more options than ever: hay nets, hay bags, ground feeders, automatic dispensers, hard slow feeders and everything in between. But the best choice depends on more than just cost or convenience.

Different tools affect:

• How fast your horse eats
• How much hay is wasted
• Digestive health and ulcer risk
• Feeding posture and long-term musculoskeletal wellness
• Barn chores and labor

This guide breaks down the science and pros/cons of each method, backed by peer-reviewed studies and real-world data.

Hay Nets vs. Hay Bags vs. Feeders: A Quick Comparison

When picking a feeding method, consider what fits best into your daily routine and aligns with your horse’s needs. It’s not just about the style—it’s about the purpose each product serves and how it fits into your horse care practices.

Why the Type of Hay Matters in a Slow Feeder System

Slow feeders are designed to mimic natural grazing—small, frequent meals over time. When horses have constant access to forage, they become more relaxed, self-regulate their intake, and maintain a healthy weight. But to get the full benefit, the type of hay you use is just as important as the feeder itself.

Best Forage for Slow Feeders

Slow feeders work best with soft, low-NSC grass hay like timothy, orchard, teff, bermuda. This kind of hay pulls easily through nets or grates and is safe to offer free-choice. It helps reduce stress, supports gut health, and prevents insulin spikes.

Dense, tightly packed alfalfa flakes, on the other hand, often don’t work well in slow feeders. Horses may struggle to extract the hay, get frustrated, and may even lose weight. In one example, this led a barn to increase grain just to maintain body condition—defeating the purpose of slow feeding.

Alfalfa is rich in calories, protein, and calcium, and it’s not typically suitable for free-choice feeding. That’s why the best way to offer it—especially for performance horses or hard keepers—is to feed it separately on the ground during scheduled meals, while keeping low-NSC hay available at all times in a slow feeder.

🧠 Tip: I have seen mixed forage (like alfalfa/timothy) work nicely in slow feeders, but consider this would be optimal for a horse with higher needs and not an easy keeper. It’s important to consider the horse’s individual needs, such as age, activity level, and any weight management requirements, when selecting hay for slow feeders. 

And because alfalfa isn’t meant to be offered around the clock, it may not be worth investing in a separate slow feeder just for alfalfa. If your horse doesn’t have weight or metabolic concerns and you choose to offer alfalfa in a net, just be sure it’s easy to access and not overly compacted.

🩺 Ulcer & Colic Prevention

Horses secrete stomach acid constantly—even when not eating. Slow-feeding devices help by:

• Keeping forage in the stomach for continually
  • Hard Slow Feeders and Small‐mesh hay nets (1–2 inch holes) prolong “forage time” by 50 %–80 % versus loose hay, maintaining a continuous layer of forage that buffers acid.
• Buffering stomach acid (via saliva)
  • Continuous chewing produces saliva rich in bicarbonate, neutralizing acid and protecting gastric mucosa.
• Lowering ESGD ulcer scores compared to meal feeding
  • Studies show horses on continuous‐access forage (via slow‐feed nets or ad libitum pasture) have significantly lower Equine Squamous Gastric Disease (ESGD) scores than horses on twice‐daily meal feeding of hay
• Reducing sudden feed volume spikes (which can lead to colic)
  • Rapid boluses of hay (loose on the ground) can overwhelm hindgut motility, increasing colic risk. Slow consumption minimizes abrupt shifts in digesta flow, reducing impaction and gas‐colic risk.

Even modest adjustments—like switching from loose hay to a slow hay feeding method—can significantly reduce ulcer severity.

📦 Capacity & Refilling Frequency

When you’re managing your horse’s feed, feeder capacity matters:

• Exact refill intervals depend on mesh size, hay quality (leaf-to-stem ratio), and horse temperament (fast or slow eater).

• Automatic feeders must be calibrated: typical programs for a 500 kg maintenance horse dispense 1 kg every 3 hours.

🧠 Tip: Overstuffed hay nets may tangle; underfilled feeders may frustrate horses. Balance hay type, mesh size, and your horse’s natural pace.

Each system has its advantages depending on your operational needs and the feeding habits of your horse. Opting for a feeder that best fits your existing routine can help streamline farm chores. Balancing horse needs with practical capacity considerations is key to maintaining an effective feeding program.

🦴 Feeding Posture & Musculoskeletal Health

A horse’s feeding posture significantly affects musculoskeletal health:

1. Natural Feeding Posture: Wild equids graze with a “long-and-low” neck position, which aligns cervical vertebrae and promotes normal nasal‐pas­sage drainage. Maintaining this head‐down posture helps distribute muscular forces evenly across the neck and thoracolumbar region.
   
2. Risks of Hanging Feeders Too High
   • Hanging a net or bag well above the withers (e.g., “face level”) forces the horse into a prolonged “head-up” posture. This:
     • Strains the cervical spine and nuchal ligaments.
     • Inhibits nasal drainage, increasing respiratory irritation risk (dust, particulates) and exacerbating equine asthma/COPD.
       
3. Risks of Hanging Feeders Too Low
   • If a small-mesh net is hung below withers—so that hay is just at or below chest level—(Hodgson et al. 2022) found that:
     • Horses must pull harder (higher pull forces) to extract hay, especially from double-layered nets or when feeding haylage (40 %–60 % moisture), further increasing force .
     • That added pull force causes over-flexion of the cervical spine, compressing vertebrae and straining dorsal neck/upper back musculature over time.
     • Horses also twist their heads and necks to be able to grab the hay at a better angle, this is an unnatural movement that strains due to the repetitiveness.
       
4. Benefits of Ground-Level Feeders
   • Ground rings, hay pillows, hard slow feeders, or skid feeders placed on a level, non-slippery surface comes very close to a natural grazing stance. We can all get creative to get the best of all systems so both the horse and us can enjoy the benefits from the daily feeding routine.

⚠️ Important Note: The Hay Pillow and Ground level hay nets are not recommended for horses with shoes, as shod hooves can become entangled in the fabric mesh. This poses a serious risk of injury or torn shoes, especially in confined areas. Always choose shoe-safe feeders or use it only with barefoot horses.

📝 Important Reminder on Feeding Posture

Remember, your horse will spend most of their life eating in the position you set up for them daily. It’s tempting to think, “Wild horses occasionally eat from trees and bushes, lifting their heads, so elevated feeding isn’t a big deal.” But in reality, the majority of wild grazing occurs with their head down. Your horse’s daily feeding posture isn’t just occasional—it’s a long-term, repetitive activity.

Choose a feeding position thoughtfully, knowing your horse will maintain that posture for many hours, day after day. Prioritizing a natural, head-down grazing position will significantly benefit your horse’s musculoskeletal and respiratory health over their lifetime.

For instance, if your horse typically eats from the ground, and then you head off to a competition where you briefly hang a hay net higher outside your trailer while he waits, it’s usually not something to be overly concerned about. Short-term adjustments are manageable. The key is that the primary, everyday feeding posture supports your horse’s long-term health and comfort.

Unnatural position, there is still waste and the food is consumed quickly.

Ground feeder: Better position, but there is waste and the horse eats fast.

Ground feeder with hay net: will slow down the consumption rate with a lower head position, but if the horse is twisting it’s head and pulling in weird angles, then it may not be right for him.

This is a slow feeding alternative with no hay nets, it is actually made of strong plastic that is extremely sturdy and allows the horse to eat in a better position.

You can see how there is still a hay net but the horse will be eating in a much preferred position. And the plastic will make it harder for the horse in case it is shod to get his hooves on top.

⚠️ Safety Precautions

Common Risks:

Limb Entanglement

Improperly secured hay nets can pose serious safety risks—especially for shod horses. Loose nets or hay bags hung without breakaway attachments increase the risk of entanglement. If a horse paws at the net or steps too close, a hoof or shoe can easily become caught, potentially leading to injury or panic.

Equally important is checking for holes or stretched openings in the net. Over time, wear and tear can cause small tears to enlarge. If the opening becomes big enough for a hoof or shoe to slip through, it becomes a dangerous trap.

Best Practices for Hay Net Safety:

• Always use breakaway clips, halters, or hanging systems designed to release under pressure
• Regularly inspect nets for holes, frayed material, or loose stitching
• Keep nets securely attached and hung at a safe height, or consider ground-level slow feeders designed for safe access
• Avoid nets with overly large mesh sizes (greater than 2”) unless used for very specific needs
• Inspect Weekly: Check all nets, bags, and feeders for fraying, rust, or splinters.

Material and Quality matters

When selecting a hay net, the material quality matters more than many people realize. Inexpensive hay nets are often made from thin, twine-like materials—some not much stronger than baling twine. These nets tend to wear out quickly, develop holes, and pose serious safety hazards. Once a hole forms, a horse can easily get a hoof or shoe caught, increasing the risk of injury.

To avoid these problems, look for hay nets made from high-strength, UV-stabilized, mildew- and mold-resistant fibers. Durable nets are not only safer but also far more cost-effective in the long run, since they won’t need to be replaced as often.

One excellent example is the Texas Haynet, which is known for its rugged construction and long-lasting materials, even in tough weather conditions. It’s specifically designed to withstand daily use while minimizing the risk of entanglement or fraying.

NO metal grates or wire.

Metal-grated feeders or poorly made feeders

Metal grates are the primary concern because there are numerous reported issues with gums and teeth linked to slow feeders with metal grates.

• Damaged Enamel: likely from the abrasive nature of the metal grates. Then teeth rub against the metal, causing long-term damage.
• Gum Damage: can also occur from metal grates on the upper incisives.
• Homemade feeders: using materials like chicken wire or livestock wire can cause damage to enamel and gums.

Based on both research and personal experience, I don’t recommend metal grates or any wire for horses that use slow feeders daily. Beyond the dental concerns, many metal grates aren’t designed with small enough openings to effectively slow down hay consumption. In fact, hole sizes larger than 1.5 inches often fail to make a meaningful difference in chewing time—defeating the entire purpose of using a slow feeder.

Stress

It’s not uncommon for horses to feel anxious when they’re first introduced to a slow feeder. Since they can’t grab hay the way they’re used to, some may try a few times and then walk away. That’s okay—they’re just figuring it out. The important thing is to give them time to adapt without rushing the process.

Instead of switching all at once, start by offering both the slow feeder and some loose hay for the first few days. This helps your horse stay relaxed and gives them a chance to explore the new setup without going hungry or getting stressed.

In the beginning—and really, always—your horse should have constant access to forage. It’s not about stuffing the feeder full, but about making sure they never run out. This helps prevent stress and supports a healthy digestive system.

Durability, Material Considerations & Long-Term Cost

When choosing hay feeding tools, weigh durability against cost:

Prices vary regionally; ranges above reflect U.S. (2023–2024) average retail.

Labor savings from automatic feeders (estimated 30 minutes/horse/day in large barns) can offset capital costs within 12–18 months when feeding 20+ horses.

Personal Experience and Recommendations

From my own experience managing horses in both pasture and stable settings, I’ve found that ground feeders combined with slow-feed nets work exceptionally well for herd or pasture management. I prefer using feeders that are roofed to protect the hay from weather, significantly reducing waste and spoilage. Having several of these feeders distributed across each pasture makes feeding straightforward—I typically refill them once per week, simplifying farm chores dramatically.

For stabled horses, I’ve had great success with the Porta-Grazer slow feeder. By tying the Porta-Grazer securely in the corner of each stall, horses enjoy continuous access to their free-choice hay without hassle. I refill these feeders just once per day, and they have made feeding worry-free. Of course, I still supplement their diet with alfalfa and ration balancers to meet their nutritional needs comprehensively.

I have not tried the OptiMizer, but I definitely would like to give it a try and will be buying one in the future to be able to review it for you.

Overall, these solutions have streamlined my feeding program, enhancing both efficiency and equine welfare.

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