Question

We feed two Miniature Horses with slow-feeder haynets. I was wondering if the hay digests faster or slower when fed over an extended time? In other words, are we helping digestion or just minimizing boredom with slow-feeder haynets?

Answer

Great question! In general, slower feeding and ingestion of feedstuffs, including hay, allows for more efficient and complete digestion as well as fewer spikes in glucose, insulin, and other metabolites.

We usually recommend offering hay in small-hole haynets to increase consumption time and reduce rate of intake for a multitude of beneficial reasons, most notably stabilizing metabolic response to meal feeding (e.g., glycemic response) but also for gastrointestinal health.

The equine gastrointestinal system is designed for continuous forage consumption. Changes to this can influence both foregut (gastric buffering) and hindgut (microbial balance) health. Additionally, larger meals tend to get pushed through the gastrointestinal tract faster (increased rate of passage) with less complete digestion and may be more likely to cause digestive upset, such as impaction. There are certainly benefits to slowing hay intake aside from just boredom.

I’ve linked some helpful articles here:

Small, Frequent Meals Increase Nutrient Digestibility in Horses

Haynet Research in Horses: Something to Chew On

Advantages of Haynets and Hay Feeders for Horses

Haynets as a Diet Tool for Horses

Colic in Horses: Avoid Feeding Large Meals

Forages the Foundation for Equine Gastrointestinal Health