How to Use Slow Feeders Correctly

Forage is the foundation of every equines diet and needs to flow steadily through the digestive tract. Gaps without forage can lead to ulcers colic behavioural issues stall vices gorging choke cribbing and even laminitis. Truly the only way to avoid these problems is to allow your horse steady access to forage freechoice all day and all night. 
Responding to this inherent need is the slowfeeder industry. The purpose of this article is to provide a clear understanding of slowfeeders and how they can be used safely and effectively. There are many styles and types from which to choose. The best approach is to contact several manufacturers to see which product best meets your horses needs.

The purpose of a slowfeeding system is to simulate grazing. Horses in a natural setting eat small amounts of forage as they wander in search of the next tasty morsel. They eat virtually all day and night taking time to socialize and rest every so often for a few minutes at a time. When they know that they always have access to forage they become calm and relaxed rest more often and walk away from their hay knowing that it will still be there when they return. In other words they selfregulate and eat only what they need to maintain a healthy body condition. 
Forage restriction is incredibly stressful. Why should this matter? Because stress causes the release of the hormone cortisol which in turn leads to elevated insulin. When insulin is high it tells the body to store fat. Your goal? Get rid of the stress. Feed an appropriate forage low in sugar and starch freechoice and allow the horse to tell you how much he needs. There are some horses however who gain weight very quickly when given forage freechoice. The reason has to do with the sluggish metabolic rate theyve developed over time. When forage is parceled out only a few times a day the horse responds by going into survival mode where his metabolic rate significantly slows down in an attempt to conserve body fat. A cycle of everincreasing obesity is created that can be reversed only through exercise and removing the hormonal fatstoring response that forage restriction creates.
Slowfeeders when used properly are an excellent way to reduce stress. As their name suggests they slow down the rate of consumption by providing hay through small openings. When slow feeders are kept