Freedom Feeder Mesh Net Full Day Slow Horse Feeder — Designed to Hold 30 lbs/4 Flakes of Hay and Feed Horse All Day — Reduces Horse Feeding Anxiety and Behavioral Issues

This product has worked great for over a month now for my older horses. My two horses are 26 years old and having trouble with quids from not being able to chew the hay as well as they used to. I thought I would give this a try. Our pasture is dirt (hard to have grass in AZ for our small pastures) and I am feeding the horses bermuda/alfalfa pellets soaked in water and Senior Feed. My one horse is what they call an "easy keeper" and I was hoping to have him still mostly on hay with a slight increase in refined food. This haynet has been a great solution. My horse can only get small amounts at once and there are no quids and less waste! He can graze all day without adding extra food. The caribiner broke after one month on one of the hay nets, but it is an easy replacement. The quality of the net is very good. There has been no wear on the woven net. I use the two bottom rails of the stall to attach the haynet to and wrap it around at least once around each one if I can. I have it low because I want them to reach down to eat like they would normally. You could certainly hang it higher if there is concern about it being so low.

The freedom feeder is soft, durable when used properly, and mimics more natural grazing for my horse. I have been using them for 5 years now with great results. My mare has slowed down considerably and walks away when she's satisfied, then returns later to "graze" a bit more. She has become much more relaxed now throughout the day. I also use the 2 flake 2" in my trailer as well as overnight when the weather is cold and rainy. I do give my mare a flake on the ground first in the morning before I hang the Nibblenet. You don't have to do this but I do for my mare. I feed my mare orchard grass hay.

So far this all day net is holding up. The carabiner did not last and the heavy duty one I replaced it with gets knocked off easily from the heavy duty hook. So best to just tie it. My mare pushes against the bag with her mouth and makes pieces fall out…tiny ones. Then eats from the ground but also pulls pieces out of the net. I also have the mini, it can hold 1 1/2 flakes, but I think the all day bags easier to fill. I love these nets, because my mare eats for hrs verses 1 hr. Per feed time, and she looks way less bloated. Seems happier too! I did not like the net on the fencing, as she kept throwing it over the other side, even n the lower slats. I’m sure it’s doable if secured in a way that your horse couldn’t throw it over.

I liked this product because it was a nice slow feeder for my horse. However, he has managed to rip two holes in it and now it does not act as a slow feeder. This was only after having the net for 3 months... it is also a pain in the butt to get the hay flakes into the hay net especially when your hay net is frozen stiff... I do like the slow feeding concept, just wish the item was sturdier.

UPDATE: After a year and 1/2, there is not one tear in this net from my aggressive eaters. Unlike the plastic ones that usually start fraying, this one is near perfect. I'll be ordering the 1" for them to share outside, while keeping the 1.5" for my mini inside. Worth the money!This net was more expensive than what I've purchased in the past. I was willing to try it as the quality of others has gone downhill. On the negative side, I don't care that the white looks trashed after 1 day and the cord/clasp used to hold the net is a little flimsy. The positive is that at almost 3 months, there is no wear and tear yet that I am having to repair. I did get the 1.5" holes however and wish I had gone with the 1" like I usually do. The 1.5" is way easier for my guy to pull hay through. Hoping to get another 6 months at least out of it.

My guy took to this so quickly. I still feed twice a day but could put a days worth of feed in. I just put it over a garbage can to fill. I can’t believe how easy it is.

I got tired of having my pasture hay strewn all over just to have a mess to clean upIt the spring. These mesh feeders work beautifully.

I own 6 Freedom Feeders- all have holes in them making them basically pointless (I have sewn them back together dozens of times) - I tried contacting customer service a year ago since these claim to have a lifetime warranty ... and they blamed me and told me I should sew them back together again myself. No offer of replacement or even repair after I had spent $400 on their faulty products. My animals have been on slow feeders for several years- I know how to use them and so do my animals- they should not be getting holes in after one week of use unless the product is bad. DO NOT BUY- save yourself the stress and dissatisfaction.