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By Monique Warren
Last Updated December 30, 2019. Originally published June 15, 2016.
Slow feeding requires the horse to eat smaller amounts over a longer period of time. This concept simulates natural free-choice foraging - and provides a host of benefits you might not be aware of.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are meals consumed by humans but are not natural for a horse. Equines are grazing herbivores with a digestive system designed for - and benefiting from - constant uptake. If your equine does not have forage available 24/7 - and is fed traditional "meals" - consider implementing a slow-feeding program to keep them nibbling longer. Read on to learn about slow feeder options and the nine ways your horse can benefit from a slow-feed program. 
Slow Feeder Options
A slow feeding program can be accomplished by using a variety of slow feeders best suited for the environment in which your horse resides. Offering multiple feeding stations allows and encourages more movement, which helps to simulate natural grazing behavior.
Choices include a bale net or grazing muzzle for pasture time coupled with slow feed hay net bags for ground feeding or hanging bags where feasible in paddocks, corrals, or stalls. According to Dr. Juliet Getty, "Slow-feeders, when used properly, are an excellent way to do reduce stress. As their name suggests, they slow down the rate of consumption by providing hay through small openings. When slow feeders are kept full, they allow the horse to graze whenever he wants, thereby encouraging the horse to eat less and still have free access to forage." Extending or adding meals will not produce the mental and physical health benefits of free-choice forage. To learn more, see our Action Plan: How to Introduce & Incorporate Free Choice Forage. Are You Slow-Feed Savvy?
Read on to learn of nine slow feeding benefits you may not be aware of......
1. Decreased secretion of cortisol: The stress associated with meals causes an increase in cortisol. If cortisol is elevated, insulin rises, which leads to fat storage. This can cause or worsen obesity, which is why some horses seem to be able to “live on air.” Even overweight horses should receive a minimum of 1.5% to 2% of their body weight per day in grass hay that is low in non-structural carbohydrates. If appropriate forage is available at all times, they can typically eat more and maintain or lose weight. 2. Reduced risk of ulcers: The equine stomach produces acid 24 hours a day (16 gallons for a 1,000 pound horse) in preparation for constant uptake and can empty in as little as 15-20 minutes. Chewing activates saliva (an alkaline substance) production, which buffers gastric acid. Under natural conditions with free-choice forage, the horse will produce about five gallons of saliva every day and eventually “recycle” much of the water content via re-absorption prior to excretion. Fiber present in the stomach also prevents the “splashing” of acids. The lower part of the stomach, in addition to producing the acid, receives protection by also producing mucus. The upper, or non-glandular part, has no protection and thus is more susceptible to damage by the acids. The upper portion has squamous epithelium – similar to our skin. Having fiber in the stomach creates a mat of sorts, which is especially important during any physical activity/exercise causing the splashing of acids. 
Gastric Ulcers
3. Increased digestion: Optimal digestion and fermentation require time and movement. Mobility stimulates gut motility. Providing forage free-choice in multiple locations will encourage both. This will promote consistent fermentation, effectively keeping the hindgut both weighted (to discourage twisting) and motile, thereby preventing conditions that can contribute to colic. The cecum in a horse has its entrance and exit at the top. Digested material has to defy gravity to exit - the cecum contracts to push the contents out the top. To accomplish this function, forage should be flowing through the digestive system at all times. If your horse consumes hay too quickly, the particle size will not be reduced sufficiently or have a high enough saliva-to-forage ratio. Saliva plays a crucial role in digestion. Large amounts of dry matter lacking sufficient saliva can contribute to impaction colic.
The primary site for fiber digestion is in the hindgut, which is populated with billions of naturally-occurring, beneficial bacteria and protozoa. However, the hindgut is also home to harmful bacteria. The healthy balance between beneficial and harmful bacteria can easily be disrupted by periods of time without hay or grass intake (fiber). Maintaining a consistent population of beneficial bacteria is essential to ensuring healthy gut function and reducing incidences of hindgut acidosis and laminitis.
4. Minimized or alleviated boredom: Equines allowed to continuously slow feed benefit psychologically. That is, an occupied horse is less likely to develop vices stemming from boredom or discomfort such as:
According to Martine Hausberger, PhD, director of the Laboratory of Animal and Human Ethology, a branch of the French national research center (CNRS) and the University of Rennes, “It is well-known that horses are trickle feeders that would naturally consume a semi-continuous supply of forage for 40-70% of each 24-hour period....It is also known that horses can experience gastrointestinal discomfort if deprived of food for a mere one to two hours.” Horses sleep only 3 to 4 hours in a 24-hour period and usually no longer than 20 minutes at one time; food tends to be their main focus. 5. Natural wear of teeth: Increased chew time wears teeth more naturally when eating at ground level. A natural grazing position allows the mandible (jaw bone) to come down and forward in the atlantoaxial and temporomandibular joints. This enables the mandible to move up and down, side to side, forward and back without any restriction; facilitating optimum mastication and reduction of particle size.
6. Little to no wasted hay: Slow feeders prevent horses from trampling hay and contain it in windy conditions. Horses naturally prefer to eat outside in the open, even in windy conditions, because they are prey animals and depend on sight and sound to detect predators. If either of these defenses is impaired, it can create psychological tension. When eating from ground level in an unobstructed area, their peripheral vision is not impaired and they feel more secure and safe. 7. Weight management: Hay is grass with the water reduced; each mouthful is a more concentrated source of calories. Hay contains seven to eight times more calories than live grass per pound. Grass is 70 to 80% water as opposed to sun cured hay at 5 to 10%. If your horse is overweight, slow feeding will help to regulate insulin spikes, metabolism, and secretion of cortisol. For underweight equines, it can help increase digestion and assimilation of calories and nutrients.
8. Elimination of food aggression: Slow feeding with multiple locations enables your entire herd to eat and live together full time by leveling the playing field. The individual that typically consumed the most in the least amount of time will be regulated. If you have an individual that requires additional calories, separate them for additional feedings of soaked hay pellets or complete feeds and allow them to rejoin the herd.
Equines are herd animals. They benefit physically and psychologically from direct physical interaction. Dominant members will keep the others moving as they claim various locations. The less dominant individuals will have alternate sources to eat from; this encourages movement and can decrease cortisol levels associated with stress from being physically separated from herd members. 
Hierarchy will always exist in a herd, the majority of aggressive behavior is associated with food aggression. If free choice forage is available, the intensity of dominant combative behavior typically subsides.
9. Omission of stress in your life: Meals are stressful to your herd, and you! Equine guardians experience an enormous weight lifted off their shoulders when they are not concerned about feeding times. Always consider nutrition when dealing with any health or mental issue. Feeding a balanced diet (low in non-structural carbohydrates for overweight individuals) including slow fed free-choice forage is healthiest for your herd. Equines were not designed to thrive on a high-calorie, nutrient-deficient diet comprised of meals. By providing free-choice forage, you will have a healthier, more content herd with the bonus ofno longer being committed to multiple feedings day and night! Additional Benefits of a Natural Grazing Position
Learn More from the Experts
For information on insulin resistance, overall nutrition, and balancing a diet to your specific forage, visit these websites:
Helpful How-to Resources for Slow Feeding
About the Author:
Monique Warren invented the Hay Pillow® slow feeder and is the owner of Hay Pillow Inc. Warren has been an equine guardian for over forty years and slow-feed advocate for over 10 years. She contributes equine nutrition and digestive and hoof health articles to publications such as The Naturally Healthy Horse, Natural Horse Magazine, Nicker News, Horse Back Magazine, The Horse's Hoof, and Miniature Horse World Magazine. Equine nutrition and horses feet are her passions. She resides in Southern California. References:
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9 Comments
3/7/2017 08:49:24 pm
I think the standard ground pillow is a great idea. I own a pony that rubs off his grazing muzzle. We live in Georgia and there is too much grass. The pony has to stay in a dry lot. As an animal scientist I don't need convincing about feeding forage continuously to horses, for all the reasons given in the blog, and controlled delivery is necessary to do that, in order to prevent obesity, which is very harmful. I have also witnessed the drop in stress and aggression in a herd once haynets where introduced. I live in Canada where we have one more reason to feed this way: the digestion of forage generates a huge amount of heat. Therefore, continuous feeding of hay is the best way to keep the horses warm in deepfreeze temperatures. Where I board my horse, most equines are ponies and need weight control management. They have unrestricted access to round bales covered by a 1" mesh (diagonal), but hay pillows would give my horse opportunities to eat from the ground, which is the preferred, natural, position. It can also be used for when the horse is in isolation in a paddock for whatever reason, and to feed extra hay on the side when she needs it (in very cold weather). The mesh on the round bale (1" diameter) is a lot of work, so for the haypillow an easier access to the hay with a 1 1/4"diagonal mesh would probably be ideal.
Maggie Hinton
11/8/2017 09:13:32 pm
Hi I understand the benefits to the slow feeding. I have a big horse versus mini problem. My big horse is not aggressive to my mini until feeding time. Big gal chasing mini away from her hay even though she has her own. This has created a problem for me. Lots of little piles of hay for mini spread around so she gets something to eat. When my mare chases her away from on little pile she has another to go to. So, wasted hay and the big mare is getting too much. I have a slow feeding net that I will be setting up very soon., but would love a mini hay pillow. No more wasted hay, holes too small for the big mare and the mini has more to do. She is a little over weight as well so would love her to be busy with a pillow.
Jayne Miner
1/30/2019 03:56:15 am
Agree on this for sure and with more then one horse it's so beneficial less mess and ground feeding is GREAT for the horses hoping to get one very soon.
Margaret
8/17/2018 03:05:11 pm
I never used slow feeder net for my horse.
Monique Warren
8/27/2018 04:48:50 pm
Hi Margaret,
Rebecca
4/28/2019 11:11:02 am
For a couple of years, I have been free-choice feeding using slow feed hay nets on a dry lot. Unfortunately, my mare has still managed to become and stay obese (possibly due to being severely restricted with previous owners). Do you know if using a grazing muzzle would work to further minimize hay intake or would it completely prevent her from eating?
Hay Pillow Inc
4/30/2019 01:52:03 pm
Hi Rebecca, 12/3/2019 12:53:14 pm
I liked what you said about how slow feeding a horse can help regulate insulin spikes and in turn help with weight management. My brother just bought a ranch and is looking for ways to keep the horses fed and healthy. I will be sure to recommend he look into slow feeding his horses after he finds a good feed dealer near him. Your comment will be posted after it is approved.
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Monique WarrenMonique Warren invented the Hay Pillow® slow feeder and is the owner of Hay Pillow Inc. |
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