How to Use Slow Feeders Correctly

full they allow the horse to graze whenever he wants thereby encouraging the horse to eat less and still have free access to forage. 
The best approach is feeding off the ground
Chewing with the head low is more in line with the horses natural physiology creating even pressure on the teeth and allowing the jaw bone to move freely in all directions. Furthermore the muscles joints tendons ligaments and bone structure are not stressed when horses can grab hay in a straight downward motion. Eating with their heads down also protects their eyes and respiratory tract against mold spores and dust and provides for better nasal drainage
How to start
Use at least two feeders per horse and place them as far apart as possible. Even if your horse is in a stall or small paddock place one on either end of the area. Many slowfeeders made of hard material can accommodate two or possibly three horses at a time but it is preferable to have more feeders to encourage movement satisfy the horses natural curiosity and minimize squabbles among herd members.
Types of slowfeeders
NETS
Hay nets are not the same as slowfeeder nets. Hay nets typically have very large openings in which your horse can easily become tangled. Slowfeeder nets provide openings that are much smaller. I recommend 1 5 to 1 75 inches for a fullsized horse anything smaller may cause undo frustration fatigue can also set in causing the horse to stop eating. 
On the other hand if the hole is too large the horse will typically eat as much as if the hay were loose on the ground. Researchers at the University of Minnesota demonstrated that horses took longer to consume their hay as the hole size was decreased. Therefore it is best to choose a hole size that will slow down feeding but not so small that it induces exasperation. 
It is best to purchase one from a reputable manufacturer rather than try to make your own. Cheaper fabrics can unravel and break potentially damaging teeth and worse tragically leading to colic if your horse swallows fibers. Commercial products are made from heavy duty fabrics that resist tearing and fraying and provide safety features as well as customer support.
Advantages of slowfeeder nets
They come in a variety of sizes that can hold a few flakes a whole bale or even an entire round bale.
There is flexibility in mounting them. Many