Slow feeding chopped hay

[powerstroke]

I have a pony at my job who has quite a lot of health issues - she is anemic, has ulcers and low vit E. Vet prescribed her a slow feeder net along with compressed alfalfa. Compressed alfalfa was either not deliverable from stores or just not in stock so that was a no. Agreed on chopped forage since she can only process short stalked forage. Her issue is that she is so violent with the net and flings it around like a chew toy. Chopped forage is rather dusty so it eventually all falls out. The net has probably 1/2" wide holes and the forage stalks are about 1-1.5" long. I’ve tried securing the net in a muck bucket, tying the bucket to the fence, etc and she will get it out somehow. What can I do so she doesn’t waste it and completely destroy the purpose of a slow feeder? I have a nibblenet (solid back/bottom and 3 open sides) - would doubling up help? Maybe soaking it? Any advice is greatly appreciated. I’ve also heard of the jug method but no idea how that works.

Note: PLEASE do not suggest another type of hay, med, or solution - I trust my vet to recommend what is best for this horse. I am only looking for ideas to solve the issue mentioned above. NOT looking for veterinary advice.

[Amy3996]

Soaking it might help - the hay would kind of stick to itself a bit so pony might not be able to shake as much out. Also, maybe offer her a small portion of it just in a feed tub or on the ground first? If she has a little bit of something in her belly to start with, she might be less frustrated and less inclined to tear a net apart.

[bt1]

Hmmmm maybe like a DIY ponysized chicken feeder??? Like some how secure an upside down bucket or tub raised up just a few inches on a larger base so most forage is under it but it falls out as she eats…maybe just an upside down bucket secured to fence post, OH OH upside down plastic trash can in corner over mat for outside, piece of plywood in corner of stall you can put forage in top and little at a time comes out the bottom…sorry i am not describing it all that well but the general idea is something you can load through the top and she can nibble out the bottom…a mini version of those recycle bin hay feeders with a cover on top and hole in the bottom…ya can probably modify a kitchen size trash can. Good Luck!!

[Simkie]

How about a water trough with either a net well secured inside, or a sheet of nibble net secured down over the hay?

A porta grazer might be a ready made solution, but costly. Take a look at it though…maybe that’ll spark some ideas.

[mmeqcenter]

perhaps something like this, secured to the wall?

https://www.statelinetack.com/item/high-country-plastics-slow-feeder-saver-jr/E017023/?srccode=GPSLT&gclid=Cj0KCQjwttbWBRDyARIsAN8zhbL95_9kfLDUfqqKRff_mGxNdxjPLfnbrKlpfIMnR5wIB0pnFUQeUmgaAps_EALw_wcB&kwid=productads-adid^160636394091-device^c-plaid^264867173440-sku^490942-adType^PLA

https://www.etsy.com/listing/236964835/slow-feeder-for-horses-wood-slow-feeder?gpla=1&gao=1&&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=shopping_us_a-pet_supplies-pet_feeding-feeding_stands&utm_custom1=47826fb1-bd62-4fe5-b740-14caf8dbcad0&gclid=Cj0KCQjwttbWBRDyARIsAN8zhbJ4E6IZsHtU-N6PuAjZoJ6XIB2CXgF-qhoSLoEdZGg9XKbw3-Kezu8aAmEzEALw_wcB

[shayaalliard]

I have the high country one. It’s a pain- likes to come off the base, and doesn’t slow very much