11 min read Last updated: January 2026 Battling hay waste, weight gain or a stressed, bored horse? This friendly guide shows how slow-feed hay and chaff nets protect gut health and calm behaviour while managing caloriescomplete with practical steps like picking 23 cm holes and aiming for 1.52% bodyweight forage so nights last without empty nets. Quick Summary Short on time? Here are the key takeaways. Area: Slow Feeding Basics What To Do: Use small-holed hay or chaff nets to extend chew time, and split the days forage into several portions. Observe behaviour and adjust net type and fill accordingly. Why It Matters: Longer, steadier chewing buffers stomach acid, supports hindgut health and reduces stable vices. Common Mistake: Stuffing one big net thats emptied fast, then leaving long fasting gaps. Area: Forage Quantity What To Do: Feed 1.52% of bodyweight per day in dry matter (1.5% for weight loss; up to 2.53% for condition). Weigh forage dry and divide across the 24 hours. Why It Matters: Right amounts protect gut function and align intake with weight goals. Common Mistake: Guessing by eye or not adjusting for the extra water in haylage/soaked hay. Area: Hole Size Choice What To Do: Pick 23 cm holes for keen eaters; 46 cm for gentler feeders or dental issues. If frustration appears, step up half a size. Why It Matters: Matching hole size slows intake without causing stress or mouth rubs. Common Mistake: Jumping straight to ultra-tiny holes that irritate the horse and defeat consistency. Area: Chaff vs Hay What To Do: Keep long-stem hay as the main fibre; add damp chaff to slow bucket feeds or help seniors and dental-compromised horses. Use a tight-mesh net or heavy tub for chaff. Why It Matters: Long fibre drives motility while chopped fibre controls bite size and reduces bolting. Common Mistake: Replacing all long fibre with chopped chaff when the horse can manage hay. Area: Soaking Routine What To Do: Soak hay 3060 minutes for EMS/Cushings-prone or dusty forage, then drain fully. Rotate and clean nets regularly to prevent mould and bacteria. Why It Matters: Soaking lowers sugars and dust, supporting metabolic and respiratory comfort. Common Mistake: Over-soaking for hours and feeding spoiled, nutrient-leached hay, or using dirty, damp nets. Area: Safe Net Tying What To Do: Tie nets high so the empty bottom sits at least shoulder height, using a quick-release knot or breakaway. Keep clear of sharp edges and pawing zones; inspect daily. Why It Matters: Proper tying prevents entanglement and injuries. Common Mistake: Fixing nets low or to rigid points where feet, shoes or rugs can catch. Area: Weight Management What To Do: Use multiple smaller nets, step hole sizes down gradually, and consider cautious partial straw substitution under advice. Balance the ration with a vitamin/mineral balancer. Why It Matters: Controlled-rate feeding promotes steady fat loss while keeping horses content. Common Mistake: Dropping forage below 1.5% dry matter or introducing straw suddenly, risking colic. Area: Monitor & Adjust What To Do: Body condition score and weight tape every two weeks; tweak forage totals, hole size and rugging based on results and demeanour. Check lips/teeth, droppings and nets daily. Why It Matters: Regular checks catch issues early and keep progress on track. Common Mistake: Setting and forgetting the plan despite changes in weight, behaviour or droppings. In This Guide Why slow feeding works for horses How much forage your horse needs daily Chaff vs long-stem hay: when to use a chaff net Choose the right hole size and net Safe DIY ways to use a chaff net Weight management with slow feeders Stable and turnout safety Your winter slow-feeding plan If youre battling waste, weight gain or boredom in the stable, a slow-feeding chaff net or small-holed hay net can transform your horses routine. Done right, it stretches out eating time, supports gut health and keeps your horse content through long UK winter nights.Key takeaway: Slow feeders that control bite size and extend chewing time protect digestive health, reduce waste and help manage weight whether you fill them with long-stem hay or chopped chaff for specific horses and situations.Why slow feeding works for horsesSlow feeding mimics natural grazing by extending chewing time and moderating intake, which supports gut health and behaviour. UK welfare bodies emphasise that forage should form the basis of the equine diet.Horses evolved to browse little and often in fact, many will chew for up to 18 hours a day when given free access to suitable fibre. When you slow the rate at which hay or chaff is eaten, you support steady saliva production that buffers stomach acid and helps to prevent ulcers, and you keep the hindguts microbial population working as intended.Forage is essential and should form the basis of any horses diet... Its important to provide enough forage to help satisfy their need to chew and prevent stereotypical behaviours, especially if grass isnt readily available for example in winter, or when turnout time is restricted. The British Horse Society (BHS)Veterinarians commonly recommend slow feed hay nets to reduce the incidence of colic, stomach ulcers and stable vices, and to assist with weight control. Users also report a levelling effect on condition: overweight horses tend to slim down, while poor doers can gain steadily when fed at a controlled rate.Quick tip: Watch your horses demeanour. If stable vices (crib-biting, weaving, wood-chewing) reduce when you introduce a slow feeder, thats a sign youre meeting their need to trickle-feed fibre.How much forage your horse needs dailyMost healthy horses need 1.52% of bodyweight per day in dry matter forage, adjusted to 1.5% for overweight horses and up to 2.53% for underweight or higher-need horses. Weigh forage dry and tailor the total to your horses condition score and workload.As a guide, a 500 kg horse typically requires 7.510 kg dry matter forage daily. If forage is fed as haylage or soaked hay (which contains more water), increase the fed amount to deliver the same dry matter. Split the ration into multiple nets or feeds to minimise fasting gaps especially important for stabled horses and those on restricted turnout.In winter, fibre is your horses in-built central heating: fermentation in the hindgut generates heat. If your horse is clipped, older, or feels the cold, appropriate rugging plus ample forage helps maintain condition. Explore well-cut, hard-wearing winter turnout rugs for wet, windy days and add warm stable rugs to keep cosy overnight once temperatures drop consistently.Pro tip: Pre-portion your horses 24-hour forage into multiple small-holed nets (or a mix of nets and floor-fed hay for those who cannot use nets safely). This controls intake without leaving your horse standing for hours with nothing to chew.Chaff vs long-stem hay: when to use a chaff netLong-stem forage is generally best for gut motility and dental wear, but chopped chaff can be extremely useful to slow greedy eaters, bulk out bucket feeds and support older or dental-compromised horses especially when fed damp.Chaff is chopped fibre made from hay, straw, alfalfa (lucerne) or dried grass. Its typically pricier per kilogram than standard forage, but its convenient, consistent and easy to mix into hard feeds. The Blue Cross highlights the role of long fibre in preventing bolting and extending chewing:Measures must be taken to avoid a horse bolting food; hard feed should include long fibre such as chaff to increase chewing time and the ration should be dampened down with water. Blue CrossHowever, dont rely solely on chopped fibre unless your horse cannot manage long-stem hay. Thunderbrook explains why long fibre matters for hindgut health:A low-fibre diet also leads to imbalances in the microbial population in the hindgut... These microbial shifts can trigger excess gas, acidity, or inflammation, all of which can result in colic or laminitis. ThunderbrookIf youre considering straw chaff or mixing in straw to reduce calories, introduce gradually and choose carefully: UK and European straws can contain mycotoxins (such as DON and zearalenone). Select clean, good-quality straw and transition slowly to minimise colic risk. For horses with metabolic issues, respiratory sensitivity or poor dentition, soaked hay, hay pellets, or chopped hay replacers are often the safer choice.At Just Horse Riders, we recommend pairing forage-first diets with a balancer where needed. If youre trimming bucket feeds to manage weight, consider targeted options from trusted ranges like NAF supplements or browse our wider feed balancers and digestive supplements to support your horses micronutrient needs.Choose the right hole size and netPick a hay net or slow feeder with 26 cm holes: smaller holes (around 23 cm) slow eating the most, while 46 cm suits horses who struggle with very tight nets or have dental issues. Match hole size to your horses eating speed, temperament and mouth comfort.For chopped chaff specifically, smaller holes help prevent spillage otherwise much of the fibre simply falls out. Knotless, soft nets reduce lip abrasion and are comfortable for prolonged use. If you soak hay or store damp feeds in nets, clean them regularly and let them dry thoroughly: woven, knotless fabrics can hold moisture, so a periodic blast with a high-pressure hose keeps bacteria and fungi in check.Essential safety practice is to inspect nets daily. If you spot a hole or broken mesh, repair it immediately or retire the net horses quickly learn to enlarge weak spots, defeating the slow-feed effect and increasing entanglement risk.Quick tip: If your horse is frustrated by very small holes, step up half a size rather than abandoning slow feeding altogether. The goal is calm, steady chewing not a standoff at the hay corner.Safe DIY ways to use a chaff netThe safest DIY chaff net is simply a small-holed hay net (24 cm) or a sturdy hay-soaking bag used exclusively for chopped fibre, tied high with a quick-release knot. Keep the setup simple, strong and easy to clean.Use this straightforward method:Choose a small-holed, knotless net to hold chopped chaff securely. For very fine chop, a tight mesh hay-soaking bag can work well.Pre-portion your chaff based on your horses plan (e.g., 0.51.0 kg per serving mixed into bucket feeds or used as a low-calorie nibble alongside hay).Dampen the chaff to reduce dust and further slow intake especially for horses with dental issues or who bolt feed.Tie the net high enough that, when empty, the bottom sits at least your horses shoulder height. Always use a quick-release knot or clip.Place away from sharp edges and check tie points; use a dedicated ring or robust beam.Clean and fully dry the net frequently, particularly if you are feeding damp chaff.If your horse cannot use nets (e.g., due to shoes, behaviour, or veterinary advice), offer damp chaff in a heavy, ground-level tub with smooth edges, placed away from bedding to reduce ingestion of shavings or straw.Pro tip: For EMS/Cushings-prone horses, keep the chaff low in sugar/starch and use soaked hay or soaked hay pellets as the main fibre source. Soak hay for 3060 minutes to reduce water-soluble carbohydrates.Weight management with slow feedersControlled-rate feeding helps overweight horses lose fat while supporting steady condition in poor doers by smoothing intake across the day and night. It reduces gorging, stabilises the hindgut and can cut waste to near zero.Practical strategies that work:Use multiple smaller nets around the stable to encourage foraging movement and make each portion last longer.Step hole sizes down gradually (e.g., 4 cm to 3 cm) rather than making a big leap your horse may find frustrating.Consider partial straw substitution for good-doers under professional guidance. In one study, horses lost up to 27 kg over winter when 50% of forage was replaced with straw but introduce slowly and be mindful of mycotoxin risk in UK straw.Switch to soaked hay for 3060 minutes to lower WSC for EMS/Cushings-prone horses.Balance the diet with vitamins/minerals. A quality balancer from ranges like NAF can help cover micronutrients when you reduce bucket feed calories.Monitor and adjust every two weeks using a weight tape and body condition score. Aim for slow, sustainable change: around 0.51% bodyweight per week for weight loss. If your horse is dropping too quickly, increase total forage to the 2% range or increase haylage proportion for extra energy.Stable and turnout safetyTie nets high with a quick-release knot and check them daily to prevent feet or shoes getting caught. Use secure tie points, keep nets away from sharp edges and remove damaged gear promptly.Blue Cross advises quick-release or slip knots in stables and adequate tie height to prevent entanglement. Avoid placing nets where a horse can paw at them or where a neighbour can reach over. If you use slow feeders in turnout, ensure they are well clear of mud and ice, and consider protective horse boots for paw-prone horses to reduce the risk of overreach scrapes.Daily grooming is your early-warning system. Run hands along the jaw and lips for rubs, check incisors for wear problems in seniors and note any changes in droppings that could signal a fibre or hydration issue. Keep a well-stocked grooming kit near the stable to make checks quick and consistent.Quick tip: Use a breakaway safety tie or a loop of baler twine at the tie point so excessive strain releases the net safely if a horse pulls back.Your winter slow-feeding planIn UK winters, provide ample forage, use slow feeders to extend chew time and rug appropriately to conserve calories for warmth. Plan ahead for soaking, storage and safe tying in wet, windy conditions.Build your plan around these pillars:Forage target: 1.52% bodyweight dry matter per day (adjust to 1.5% for weight loss; up to 2.53% for condition gain or higher needs).Net choice: Smaller holes (23 cm) for greedy eaters; 46 cm for gentler feeders or those with dental issues. Knotless nets for comfort.Soaking routine: 3060 minutes for EMS/Cushings-prone horses; rinse and drain fully. Rotate two or more nets to keep the yard efficient.Rugging: Combine smart fibre feeding with weather-appropriate turnout layers. Browse durable WeatherBeeta rugs and our wider range of turnout rugs and stable rugs to fine-tune warmth without overdoing calories.Top-ups: Use chopped chaff dampened in a small net or tub to slow bucket feeds and reduce bolting.Budget saver: Check our Secret Tack Room clearance for seasonal savings on winter yard essentials.At Just Horse Riders, weve seen the best results when owners keep it consistent: same tie points, same timing, and weekly check-ins on body condition. Tweak gradually your horse will tell you what works by how calmly and steadily they eat.FAQsWhat are the main health benefits of slow-feed nets?They reduce the risk of colic, stomach ulcers and stable vices by extending chewing time and moderating intake. They also limit hay waste and support weight management by preventing gorging and long fasting gaps.How much hay or haylage should I feed?Healthy horses typically need 1.52% of bodyweight in dry matter forage daily. Feed closer to 1.5% for overweight horses, and up to 2.53% for underweight or higher-need horses. Weigh it out and adjust every two weeks based on condition.Should I soak hay, and for how long?Yes, especially for EMS/Cushings-prone horses or very dry, dusty hay. Soak for 3060 minutes to reduce water-soluble carbohydrates and support respiratory comfort.What hole size is best for my horse?Use 23 cm for very keen eaters you want to slow down significantly; 46 cm suits horses who get frustrated with tighter nets or have dental limitations. For chopped chaff, smaller holes prevent spillage.Is a chaff net safe?Yes, when you use a secure, small-holed net or hay-soaking bag dedicated to chaff, tie it high with a quick-release knot and check it daily. Dampen the chaff for dust control and to slow intake further.Can I replace hay with straw to reduce calories?Partially and with care. One study reported up to 27 kg weight loss over winter when 50% of forage was straw, but select clean straw, introduce slowly and be aware UK straw can contain mycotoxins. Seek professional guidance for laminitis-prone horses.What if my horse cant use nets?Use heavy, smooth-edged ground tubs and offer damp chaff or soaked hay pellets as needed. Split forage into several small servings to avoid long fasting gaps and monitor droppings for fibre and hydration clues.Ready to set up a safer, smarter slow-feeding routine? Stock up on winter-ready turnout rugs, cosy stable rugs, targeted NAF supplements, and everyday grooming essentials and keep an eye on the Secret Tack Room for yard-friendly bargains. Your horses gut (and your hay bill) will thank you. Shop the Essentials Everything mentioned in this guide, ready to browse. Shop Turnout RugsShop Stable RugsShop NAF SupplementsShop Grooming KitShop Boots & Bandages