Chewing analysis of horses consuming bermudagrass hay in different styles of slow feeders as compared to loose hay.
Authors: Hart R, Bailey A, Farmer J, Duberstein K
Journal: Journal of equine veterinary science
Summary
# Editorial Summary Mastication profoundly influences equine digestive and oral health through saliva secretion and forage particle reduction, yet the mechanisms by which different slow-feeder designs affect chewing behaviour remain poorly understood. Hart and colleagues examined chewing patterns in eight horses consuming bermudagrass hay via three hay net styles—large mesh, small mesh, and bottom-hole designs—against loose hay control, using pressure-sensor equipped halters to record chew frequency and duration over 24-hour periods in a replicated Latin square design. Small-mesh nets significantly extended chewing duration per kilogram consumed (P = 0.007) compared to loose hay, whilst chew frequency remained unchanged across all treatments; the bottom-hole design prompted faster initial consumption, with 240 minutes accounting for a higher proportion of total chews than small-mesh feeders (P = 0.039). These findings suggest that whilst hay nets do not stimulate additional masticatory cycles, small-mesh feeders may promote more thorough mastication and slower consumption rates during early feeding periods—potentially offering benefits for digestive efficiency and oral wear patterns, though practitioners should note the trade-off between prolonged chewing and intake rate depending on individual clinical or management objectives.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •Small mesh hay nets effectively slow hay consumption and increase time spent chewing per kilogram consumed, potentially improving saliva production and digestion
- •Bottom hole feeders do not slow consumption as effectively as small mesh designs if early consumption rate reduction is a goal
- •While hay nets don't change the total number of chews, small mesh styles extend chewing duration, which may have digestive and welfare benefits worth considering for individual horses
Key Findings
- •Chew frequency was not significantly influenced by hay net type compared to loose hay
- •Small mesh nets increased chew duration compared to loose hay (P = 0.007)
- •Bottom hole feeders resulted in 240% more rapid consumption in the first 240 minutes compared to small mesh nets (P = 0.039)
- •Small mesh feeders reduced early consumption rate while maintaining mastication efficiency