Before launching our Portion Pacer Haynets, we consulted with an independent nutritionist to develop a robust testing method to compare the feeding rates and times of our 3cm holed net and 6cm holed net, against free feeding from the floor.
As a result of this, we decided to test both horses and ponies, since although smaller - ponies are thought to have more agile lips and perhaps be able to eat more easily from the haynets.
The Feed Rate Testing Method
We used a total of 10 horses and 10 ponies for the test for a total number of 20 equines. On 3 different days, each horse and pony was given 6kg or 4kg respectively in a 3cm net, 6cm net or loose on the floor. The amount of hay in kilogrammes was then recorded at each hour for 6 hours. To ensure consistency, the horses and ponies were in the same routine as normal and were all at the same location. All had all been out on the same well grazed pasture overnight, and each test day happened at the same time. None of the horses or ponies received any hard feed prior to the testing, nor had any done any exercise.
The Feed Rate Testing Results
As could be expected, the 3cm reduced the average amount of hay consumed, while the 6cm was quite comparable to floor feeding. What was also interesting was how the hay was consumed.
The 3cm Mesh Portion Pacer prolonged feeding time by up to 30% across the group.
The 6cm Mesh Portion Pacer showed to keep the feeding rate similar to floor feeding, but could be a great addition to help reduce wastage.
Hourly Intake Compared
Horses who were given floor fed hay ate the most in the first hour and less in subsequent hours, compared to for example the 3cm Portion Pacer, who had a much steadier hourly intake - possibly more similar to that of a horse grazing.
The 6cm haynet was a bit in between, with horses eating less in the first hour than floor fed, but less consistently over the 6 hours compared to the 3cm.
Which Haynet is Best for My Horse?
There are many advantages to using a haynet and a size to suit every horse. They offer many practical benefits as well as health benefits, so are well worth considering whenever you need to stable your horse.
Prendre soin de ses chevaux en hiver peut s'avérer difficile, que vous les mettiez à l'écurie, que vous les sortiez dehors ou que vous souhaitiez simplement les monter ! Nous avons rassemblé quelques conseils sur la façon de prendre soin de votre cheval en écurie en hiver, ce qui pose quelques problèmes.
Bien que les chevaux soient des brouteurs, si vous les observez dans le champ, ils ne se contentent pas de baisser la tête et de manger de l'herbe. S'ils ont une haie, vous les verrez souvent emprunter de l'herbe pour trouver de petites « friandises », ou même manger d'autres végétaux à différentes hauteurs. Les chevaux sauvages broutent 80 % de leur temps et broutent pendant 20 %.
