FEEDING TIP #1 - GREEDY FEEDER HAY NETS
Available to buy (x) (x) and probably at many tack stores near you. If in London try College Farm Saddlery or G.J.W.Titmuss, they usually have them.
These hay nets are almost a God send. For horses who manage to get through all of their hay in about five minutes, these hay nets completely slow down the "greedy feeders". They can also be double-netted (one hay net in the other) to slow down the horse even more, however this is hardly necessary in my experience. The holes are much smaller than normal so-called "small holed hay nets" and this really helps to increase the time taken for the horse to eat and so it lasts much longer, helping the digestive system as the horse can have hay for much longer through the night if stabled. This also allows the amount of hay used to be cut down (pun intended) as it lasts longer, especially useful for horses prone to weight gain.
There are only two flaws I have found with these nets. One is they only come in small or large, but the small is still a fairly large net. I can fit two thick sections of hay in easily with space to spare. While this doesn't affect the quality of the net, it would be nicer to have just a slightly smaller one to match the description of small. I have no experience with the large nets as I have had no need.
The other downside is the price. They're quite pricey - my one cost £17 GBP but obviously other stores will sell for different prices. Because of this I wouldn't recommend getting more than one unless it is needed.
All in all these nets are fantastic, especially in the winter when my greedy pony is stabled over night and gets through his hay far too quickly. I will still be using them in the summer when he is in in the day, as slowing down any horses hay intake cannot be a bad thing!
