Porta-Grazer Review 2025 – Is This the Best Slow Feeder for Horses?

Porta-Grazer offers one of the most durable and welfare-friendly slow feeders on the market. While the price is high, the reduction in hay waste, workload and the behavioral benefits make it worth the investment for most horse owners.

⭐ Overall Rating: 9/10
Based on user reviews, peer-reviewed feeding behavior research, and hands-on barn testing.

I’ve experimented with countless slow feeders over the years, trying to find the perfect system. Out in the pasture or dry lots, I’ve got a setup that works beautifully: hay nets secured over ground feeders. It’s simple, effective, and keeps waste to a minimum.

But things got complicated once I had to manage horses in shoes. Because they’re shod, I can’t use the same ground-based hay net setup safely, and I’ve never been a fan of hanging nets due to the strain they place on a horse’s neck and back over time. So I decided to look into hard slow feeders as a possible solution for my new boarding situation.

The real challenge started when I recently moved my horses to a new stable. While the facility staff is responsible for cleaning stalls, topping off water, and feeding morning and afternoon, I’m not always on site—especially when I travel—and I found myself constantly worrying whether my horses had hay available throughout the day.

In that first week, I visited the barn two or three times a day just to check. Unfortunately, I discovered that my horses often didn’t have hay. Sometimes the staff would toss hay beside the feeder rather than taking the time to fill my Savvy Slow Feeders properly. Other times, they did use the feeders—but the design didn’t allow for enough hay to be packed in, and with only two feedings per day, my horses were left without forage for long stretches.

That’s when I decided to bring in my Porta-Grazers, and things finally started to fall into place—well, almost. At first, one of my horses kept knocking the feeder around, but once we followed Porta-Grazer’s recommendation to secure it in the corner, the system began to work. Within a week, after a bit of training and adjustment, both horses had figured it out—and we had a reliable, low-stress feeding solution.

Here’s how my current feeding routine looks:

• Morning: 1 flake of alfalfa served loose on the stall floor
• After morning cleaning: Bermuda grass packed into an XXL Porta-Grazer corner feeder—enough to last the entire day
• Midday: Ration balancers for all horses
• Evening: 1 additional flake of alfalfa

To give myself peace of mind, I even installed cameras in the stalls. It’s such a relief to be able to check in and see that the hay in the Porta-Grazers actually lasts the full day. No more stressing about skipped feedings or empty stomachs—just content, well-fed horses on a steady forage supply, even when I’m not there.

What Is the Porta-Grazer?

The Porta-Grazer is a rugged, slow-feed hay system designed to mimic natural grazing behavior. It encourages head-down feeding posture, reduces hay waste, and helps alleviate boredom in horses by promoting more natural, continuous foraging.

• Official Website: porta-grazer.com
• Material: Heavy-duty, UV-stabilized food-grade plastic
• Best For: All horses, especially those prone to ulcers, boredom, cribbing, or sand colic

🧠 Why Slow Feeders Matter

Horses are designed to graze 16–18 hours per day. When deprived of this natural behavior, they face increased risk of ulcers, behavioral issues, and colic.

However, most domesticated horses don’t have access to constant forage. Instead, they’re typically fed two or three large meals a day (as is the case in many barns, including mine). The result? Horses often consume their hay quickly and then spend long periods without anything to eat. This feast-or-famine cycle contributes not only to digestive issues but also to unwanted behaviors like:

• Cribbing
• Weaving
• Wood chewing
• Food-related aggression

Worse still, long gaps between feedings can increase the risk of colic and gastric ulcers. Horses are biologically wired to move and graze continuously—movement stimulates digestion, and slow, steady nibbling helps regulate gut function.

The Porta-Grazer addresses this by:

• Slowing intake to prevent choke and digestive upset
• Encouraging movement and mental stimulation
• Reducing feed-related anxiety between meals
• Providing a more natural position than hay nets, therefore not stressing your horse’s neck and back

Providing free choice forage has been a longstanding recommendation for the prevention of ulcers (ESGD) It is recommended that at least 2% bodyweight per day of good quality roughage should be consumed. (Vokes et al.)

🧱 Durability & Design

Porta-Grazer products are built from thick plastic to withstand abuse from strong, playful horses. Horse owners have had theirs for years and they can’t stop saying how great it is! Including me.

✅ UV-resistant
✅ Weatherproof
✅ Withstands kicking, pushing, and rolling

Although, I read online that some horses that are particularly rough might see some wear and tear, like cracking near the pan holes. Many owners suggest handy fixes like Gorilla Tape or seeking replacements when needed. All in all, whether you’re in snowy conditions, high humidity, or anything in between, the Porta-Grazer seems built to take on whatever nature—and horses—throw at it.

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Benefits

A Win-Win for Horses and Owners

For stabled horses, the Porta-Grazer is a game-changer. It keeps hay clean and accessible while reducing stress, boredom, and destructive behaviors. For owners, it means less wasted hay, less mess in the stall, and peace of mind knowing your horse is eating the way nature intended—slowly and safely.

• Promotes natural grazing posture
• Prevents boredom-related behaviors like weaving or cribbing
• Reduces hay waste to nearly zero
• Keeps hay clean and off sandy or muddy ground

📌 Adapts well to most horses with minimal training. Start by mixing some hay on the floor during transition.

Model Comparison

🕳️ Hole Size Guidelines

• 10-hole (3″): Ideal for feeding pellets or very fine hay.
• 8-hole (3.5″): Suitable for feeding grass hay free-choice. Or for minis/ponies when soaking hay.
• 6-hole (4″): Best for ration feeding, like overly compacted, dry, brittle or coarse hay types (e.g., alfalfa, timothy), or when soaking hay.

🌟 Top Picks

• Best for General Use: Porta-Grazer XL – versatile and suitable for most horses.
• Best for Travel: Porta-Grazer XL Traveler – combines feeding and watering needs.
• Best for Minis/Ponies: Porta-Grazer Mini – designed specifically for smaller equines.
• Best for Extended Feeding: Porta-Grazer XXL Corner Feeder – accommodates larger hay quantities for 24-hour feeding.

Although, I read online that some horses that are particularly rough might see some wear and tear, like cracking near the pan holes. Many owners suggest handy fixes like Gorilla Tape or seeking replacements when needed. All in all, whether you’re in snowy conditions, high humidity, or anything in between, the Porta-Grazer seems built to take on whatever nature—and horses—throw at it.

Usability & Versatility

The Porta-Grazer shines bright not just for its durability but also for its versatility in everyday use. Whether you’re looking to place it indoors or out in the field, this feeder fits seamlessly into various environments.

The convenience factor is also significant, especially for those with busy schedules or caretakers stepping in when you’re away. The larger models mean feeding less frequently, which is a real bonus if you’re looking to cut down barn chores. Less daily input doesn’t mean a loss in care quality, as the Porta-Grazer ensures your horses continue to enjoy their meals without interruption.

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Pros vs Cons

As much as I love the Porta-Grazer and rely on it daily, I think it’s important to be transparent about a few potential downsides before you invest.

💰 Price Point

One of the most common concerns among horse owners considering a slow feeder like the Porta-Grazer is the cost. It’s true—the price tag can feel steep, especially when you add shipping fees. And yes, it’s ultimately a plastic feeder, which might make the upfront investment harder to justify for some.

But here’s my perspective: I’ve used cheaper slow feeders before, and while they saved me money at first, they didn’t hold up in the long run. Some became difficult to fill, especially once the horses started banging them around or once the netting wore out. More importantly, they didn’t really make my day-to-day barn life easier. Eventually, I stopped using them altogether.

In contrast, the Porta-Grazer has streamlined my feeding routine and withstood daily use—so for me, the cost has been well worth it.

🧠 Learning Curve

There’s also a bit of a learning curve—for both you and your horse. Figuring out how to load the hay efficiently can take a little practice, and some horses need a few days to understand how to eat from it. Don’t be surprised if it takes a bit of trial and error at first. But once you both get the hang of it, it becomes just another (very helpful) part of the routine.

🌾 Hay Type Compatibility

Lastly, the type of hay you use matters. Some hays tend to settle or compact at the bottom of the feeder, which can make it harder for the horse to access. From my experience, soft grasses like Bermuda work really well in the Porta-Grazer. On the other hand, alfalfa flakes were a biti harder for them to get, which is why I prefer to feed alfalfa flakes on the ground instead. But that is why you have to take into account what you will be feeding to choose the hole sizes.

It’s something you’ll need to test for your own situation—observe how your horse interacts with different hays, and be prepared to fluff or loosen the hay as needed.

On weighing up the pros and cons, it often boils down to recognizing the long-term benefits against the upfront cost. The savings in hay, reduced mess, and happier horses frequently outweigh the initial drawbacks mentioned by users. Understanding these aspects ensures you make a wise, informed decision whether the Porta-Grazer is the right investment for your horse care needs.

Have experience with Porta-Grazer? Drop your review below or check out our full guide to Slow Feeders vs Hay Nets!

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

✅ Final Verdict

It’s rare to find a product that benefits both horse and human this completely—but Porta-Grazer lives up to the hype.

If you’re tired of wasted hay, bored horses, or constant feeding chores, the Porta-Grazer is one of the best long-term investments you can make. Though it carries a higher price tag upfront, the reduction in labor, cleaner feeding, and improved equine welfare make it a trusted tool in thousands of barns.

⭐ Recommended For:

• Owners managing horses prone to ulcers, anxiety, or boredom
• Barns looking to reduce hay waste and time spent feeding
• Equine professionals who travel or show regularly

🔗 Visit Porta-Grazer.com to Learn More

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