Slow-feed hay nets come with a range of benefits for both horse and owner. One of them is that they help manage weight gain and ultimately can be used to help weight loss in overweight horses used to unrestricted access to hay. The slowing of intake and the extended foraging time help manage the rate at which a horse can consume hay. Something a standard bag of hay cannot do effectively.
Discover why they work best alongside the right forage amount and can contribute to a wider weight management plan.
They are especially good at helping overweight horses lose weight as they restrict intake and can be very useful for any forage plans you may have. The main benefit is slowing down how quickly they eat, and as a result, reducing the chances of overeating. It is important to note that a slow feed hay net alone cannot create the desired weight loss, but instead, they should be used to work alongside a diet and foraging plan.
Slow-feed hay nets support weight management in a range of ways. They aren’t specifically designed to help horses lose weight; instead, they are designed to manage intake, which, as a result, can lead to weight loss for overweight horses. Some key benefits of slow-feed hay nets for weight management include:
While there is limited research and studies into the use of slow-feed hay nets for weight loss, the ones that have been conducted have found that as a result of using the nets, all the horses in the managed diet study lost weight.
According to a study conducted by the University of Minnesota, horses eating from the nets took longer to finish the hay. They note that the nets were especially useful for slowing intake and supporting more moderate insulin/cortisol responses.
It is important to remember that slow-feed hay nets are not the definitive solution to weight loss in horses, with research suggesting they should form part of a managed diet instead.
For overweight or easy-keeper horses, slow-feed hay nets are incredibly useful as the owner can rest assured that their foraging time and hay consumption can be controlled. On top of this, horses that bolt hay, or stabled horses needing longer forage access, will also benefit from slow-feed hay nets.
Of course, there is also the wasted hay that comes from bags of hay. Any horse owner will tell you the amount of wasted hay is impressive, so being able to control the amount being released at any one time is appreciated.
Previous versions of hay nets came with their limitations, but modern slow-feed hay nets have evolved beyond these restrictions. At Nibbleze, our slow-feed hay nets come with a knotless design that means they are not only efficient but safe for horses to feed from.
Net hole size can also be chosen to suit the desired feeding goal, featuring a safe closure system that again prioritises the well-being of your horse. Our range can also be used for low or floor feeding, thanks to its durable design.
All our nets are made in the UK. Browse the full collection today.
Discover some of the most commonly asked questions regarding slow-feed hay nets and horse weight loss.
No. They can support weight management by slowing intake, but they work best as part of a suitable forage and management plan.
They usually reduce the rate of intake rather than automatically reducing the total amount eaten, which is why feeding plans and portion control still matter.
Knotless nets can offer a gentler surface and align well with comfort- and welfare-led messaging, especially when paired with safe setup and correct use.
They may help by extending forage time and reducing long gaps without fibre, while also keeping horses occupied for longer.