Any experience with The Savvy Feeder?

[EventerAgain]

I’m hoping to get some feedback about The Savvy Feeder, a product designed to slow the speed of a horse’s hay intake. The horse in question is a busy, curious, smart Arab who has destroyed hay nets, feeder bags, etc. This product looks like it may be an option? I’m wondering specifically if anyone’s horse has successfully used it as a toy; I wouldn’t want this feeder to become a soccer ball in the paddock, or worse.

Thanks for the feedback!

http://shop.savvyfeeder.com/

[rainpants]

Not that one specifically, but had one of http://www.highcountryplastics.com/products/feeders-mounting-hardware/slow-feeders/slow-feeder-saver.html those ones…

Its garbage now, only lasted a winter. Horses kicked the box around around, put their feet into it etc, its all bent and mangled and the grate (also bent and mangled) won’t go into it anymore.

I made my own wooden ones and they have lasted several years now with only the grate part needing replacing. (They still put their feet in them, but they are sturdy enough it hasn’t wrecked them)

[Hermein]

Fallenupright, what did you use for a grate?

[rainpants]

Gridwall panels.

There is some controversy over their use (apparently some horses experience some pretty major dental problems!) but my horses teeth have been fine and I’ve been using them several years.

I talked to an equine dentist and he said he had witnessed the problems (stripping enamel, weird wear, etc) in only a couple cases and it seemed to him to be related to people under feeding or not making sure horses get supplemented properly if the hay isn’t nutritionally adequate.

You get less waste with a slow feeder, but they should still be getting enough that they have hay more or less 24/7 as if they are having to try to eat the last wisps from the bottom of the box, he says some of them are grabbing with their teeth and scraping instead of pulling hay through with their lips like they should.

Or if they are not getting the right nutrients, their enamel might be weaker.

[PNW_AMTS_Dealer]

I love my Porta-Grazers. Slows them down, saves on wasted hay, eat in a natural position and the pan is plastic so not as hard on the teeth as this metal pad.