Equilibrium
Equilibrium Portion Pacer Hooinet
And Portion Pacer hay offers you the opportunity to control your horse's feed intake, with tested feed quantities and known filling sizes, which makes fiber feeding more transparent and contributes to a healthy horse.
With sizes from 2kg for very small ponies to 12kg for larger horses, there are multiple options to ensure your horse gets access to the food it needs.
- Holes of 3 cm
- 5 different sizes - from 2kg - 12kg**
- Holes of 3 cm can extend feeding time by an average of 30%*
- Ideal for weight and diet management of all horses
- Helps reduce waste compared to hay given on the ground
- Improves your horse's well-being by reducing time without food
- Made from durable, strong polypropylene, woven in a knotless design
- Fully recyclable at home at the end of its life
- With 3 year warranty.
*An observational study of 10 horses and 10 ponies fed from the floor, a net with 6 cm holes and a net with 3 cm holes.
**Based on average filling of the net with dry meadow hay.
What is the inspiration behind PortionPacer™ Haynet?
We know that horses are naturally small eaters, but for various reasons it is not always possible to know how much they eat or how long their hay will last. PortionPacer™ Haynet solves two problems. The first is that you have a better idea of how many kilos each hay net contains and therefore how much your horse is offered. The second is knowing the amount of feed compared to hay given ad libitum on the ground, so you can decide which hay net your horse needs to manage his weight and whether you need to increase the eating time. Using this information, you can not only monitor their feed intake, but also reduce the 'hunger gap'. If horses are unable to eat for an extended period of time, this can have a negative effect on their mental and physical well-being.
Who is the PortionPacer™ Haynet for?
Due to the different sizes, there is a PortionPacer™ Haynet for every horse and pony. Here are a few scenarios:
- For all horses, so you know how much they eat and can adjust their diet accordingly (if necessary).
- To extend the eating time for overweight horses or horses that eat quickly and therefore go without hay for long periods.
- For underweight horses to monitor the amount they eat.
- For horses that like to mess with their feed, resulting in waste.
- For horses that are very rough with their hay net.
Why a hay net with small holes?
A hay net with small holes makes a significant difference in the capture speed. The way the food is eaten is just as important as the amount of food given. Dietary patterns are one of the risk factors for digestive problems and an aspect difficult to control, especially if the horse is stabled for long periods, such as at night, or lives on a bare pasture or sand paddock.
In an observational study of 10 horses and 10 ponies fed hay on the ground, a net with 6 cm holes or a net with 3 cm holes, it was found that horses and ponies using the net with 3 cm holes had a more consistent intake pattern per hour. The 3 cm net also extended feeding time by at least 30% in the entire group.
A hay net with small holes is possible help to reduce the total amount of food eaten and the time needed to consume a certain amount of food to extend. For many horses, controlled calorie intake often means they can eat for a shorter period of time, which affects digestion and overall well-being. Because horses are designed to eat several meals a day, a hay net with small holes is an easy way to work toward a more natural diet for your horse or pony while gently reducing the amount eaten in a day.
Frequently asked questions:
Can I soak hay in it?
Yes, the net does not absorb water, making it easier to lift soaked hay and there is less chance of bacteria growing in the net material.
What is the advantage of a knotless hay net?
Traditional nets are thought to damage the horse's teeth due to the knots in the net. If the net is knotless, the horse can grab the feed with less risk of grabbing the net. This also means that the net will last longer and can save money in the long run.
Why are the meshes not smaller than 3 cm?
In our tests we found that mesh sizes smaller than 3cm made little difference to the amount of feed and led to frustration in some horses and some even stopped trying to eat from the hay net. We found that 3cm is the perfect size to balance this reduction in feed volume without frustrating the horse.
I've heard that feeding hay can cause muscle problems in horses?
Horses graze a lot, but they also like to pick from hedges or trees and like to exercise. It is not ideal for their mental or physical health to stand for hours eating from a hay net, but sometimes it is a trade-off with other considerations (their weight, how fast they eat, whether they trample feed and ingest stable litter or sand). There are things you can do to minimize the negative impact on your horse, e.g. feeding at different heights to keep your horse more physically mobile and engaged when feeding from the hay net.
Dimensions and approximately kilo content (weighed with dry meadow hay). Tip: regularly weigh your hay net with your own hay or wrap, so that you know what kilos you are feeding. For example, use this small one handy scale.
X-Small - 2kg (45cm X 60cm)
Small - 4kg (60cm X 60cm)
Medium - 6kg (75cm X 75cm)
Large - 8kg (100cm X 75cm)
X-Large 12kg (100cmS