So I got busy and put together a full bale sized challenge feeder with the (really) small mesh shrimp netting I brought back from Florida. I didn't size it quite right and it was a tight fit around and way too long, but it worked as an experiment. Pretty interesting overall - the horses have been "picking" at it for about a week. The netting is holding up well - doesn't show any wear or tear, and it definitely slows the horses down a lot but they still haven't finished the bale.
Now, the horses haven't been particularly hungry so it's hard to tell if it's too slow or if they only pick at it for fun. I have noticed the horses prefer to eat out of the hay nets than out of the upright hay feeder. The only thing they prefer over the hay nets is to ground feed. I think they actually know what's better for them.
Tonight will be a better test - I put out one bale and didn't put any extra hay in the barrel feeder (there was still some in there). The challenge bag is in the upright feeder so they can pick at it, but it doesn't get dragged all over the ground. We'll see how much they eat out of it tonight. In the spring, I may separate Cisco from the other horses and only give him a challenge bag. That would be the ultimate test!
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