How many of us get up at the crack of dawn with horses pawing, chewing, calling, pacing... anything to get us out to give them food because nature designed them to graze up to 20 hours a day?
Horses' digestive systems never truly stop producing digestive acids. When their sensitive stomachs are empty of food they are stressed, prone to colic, ulcers, and boredom leading to destructive stall vices just to mention a few of the consequences.
Feeding two, three or even four feedings a day is unnatural for horses. We are tied to feeding them "small meals" throughout the day because we care about their sensitive digestive systems.
But what are the horse's need to eat at night while we are sleeping? Dinner out with friends, overnight outings, a full day away from the barn, those are only memories... UNTIL NOW! Veterinarian recommended Freedom Feeder Extended Day Small Mesh Hay Nets allow your animals to feed naturally 24/7 through a simple "restricted free access feeding" program!
These nets can be hung on fences, box stalls, laced closed and thrown on the ground like a pillow. They are made of 1/8"(3mm) Nylon mesh woven into 1 1/2" squares. This material has 250 lb. per strand of tensil strength! Each bag holds at least 35# of hay. These bags are extemely strong, however, some very aggressive horses will chew through them quickly. If this happens please send us an email, these horses need the bags most and we will work with you to make sure they have what they need.
NOW AVAILABLE! 24"x30 " Trailer/Mini small mesh hay nets. These were such a big hit at the Equine Affaire in California that we sold out. They are now available for purchase.
Do you board your horses? Well, we designed the Freedom Feeder with you in mind. Here is an application in a box stall and in a paddock so the feeding staff can do their normal routine by just sliding your hay into the back of the net but your horse is still enjoying grazing on his small mesh hay net.
Restricted Free Access Feeding is based on the idea that when horses have to work for their food and this slows down their eating habits causing them to salivate more while chewing and aiding their digestion. With the improved digestion, you can and should change your horse's diet from an alfalfa based "milk cow" diet, to a grass based grazing "horse" diet, adding only as much protein as your horse needs to keep their weight up.
The key is to never let the nets get near to being empty. At first they will EAT, EAT, EAT, but usually within a month even the most aggressive eaters slow down. Part of it is mental, as they have to learn and trust that they will never have to worry when they will be fed again. At first, some horses may bloat, but once they've built that trust and are satiated they'll start walking away, the food consumption balances out and so do their tummies. Introduce the nets to your horses as a supplemental forage feeder until they get used to using them. Some aggressive, hungry, horses may chew a hole in the nets, we have a replacement program if that happens as it is those horses that need the nets the most.
For a healthier, happier horse, provide restricted free access to hay 24 hours a day. To order your Freedom Feeder hay nets, click here
For instructions on how to fill your Freedom Feeder hay net, click on the image below:
| 
