Last Updated: February 9, 2026
Target Keywords: hay net height, slow feeder placement, hay net hanging guide, horse feeder position
Target Audience: Horse owners optimizing slow feeder setup for health and safety
2-Minute Version (Read This First)
1) What is the real problem?
Most positioning mistakes are not obvious at first. Horses still eat, but posture strain and safety risk accumulate over time.
2) Why does it matter?
Height and anchoring affect neck/back load, pull force, respiratory comfort, and hoof-entanglement risk.
3) What should you do next?
- Start lower and more stable before making the setup more restrictive.
- Use horse-type adjustments (senior, shod, respiratory, rehab) instead of one universal height.
- Re-check posture and behavior after 7 days, not just in the first hour.
Quick Scenario Match (Positioning)
| If this sounds familiar | Start here | Why |
|---|---|---|
| ”Horse looks stiff after feeding” | Lower feeder and reduce upward pull angle | Posture load often improves quickly with lower geometry |
| ”Shod horse, safety concerns” | Use contained feeder or raised-empty clearance strategy | Reduces hoof/net entanglement risk |
| ”Respiratory horse” | Prioritize lower head position and dust control | Supports airway drainage and comfort |
| ”Net swings too much” | Two-point anchoring with controlled movement | Stability reduces frustration and force spikes |
This Week Action Plan (Height + Placement)
- Day 1: Record current height, anchor style, and post-feeding body language.
- Day 2-3: Adjust to lower-risk range (typically knee-to-chest zone) and secure at two points.
- Day 4-5: Check pull behavior, dust accumulation, and hoof contact patterns.
- Day 6-7: Keep what works; only then fine-tune for intake speed.
Why Position Matters More Than You Think
The way you position your slow feeder affects far more than convenience. Research shows that feeding height directly impacts:
| Factor | Impact of Poor Positioning |
|---|---|
| Neck posture | Strain, muscle tension, cervical subluxations |
| Back muscles | Shortening, stiffness, potential kissing spine |
| Dental health | Increased pull force on teeth |
| Respiratory health | Trapped dust and debris in airways |
| Frustration level | Increased stress and acid production |
| Safety | Hoof entanglement risk |
“Extreme poll angles, sometimes recorded when horses ate from haynets, have the potential to cause musculoskeletal damage to the back and neck.” — Hodgson et al. 2022 (Ellis research team)
This guide synthesizes the latest research to help you position your slow feeder for optimal horse health.
The Research: Feeding Height and Horse Posture
Quick Takeaway: Positioning Risk Snapshot
| Indicator | Best available signal | Management meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Ground-level posture | Most natural head/neck/back alignment | Reference point for welfare-first setup |
| Elevated net posture | More neck/back compromise risk in multiple reports | Limit long-term high placements |
| Pull-force range | Typical ~2 kg on hay; up to much higher with resistant forage | Tough forage + restrictive setup can overload effort |
| Double-layer net effect | About 1.6x pull-force signal vs single-layer in field reports | Restriction should be added gradually |
| Survey risk context | Reported issues vary by setup quality and horse profile | Positioning is a management variable, not a fixed rule |
Translate this into practice: optimize posture and stability first, then optimize intake speed.
The Ground-Level Gold Standard
Multiple studies confirm that ground-level feeding produces the most natural posture:
| Posture Element | Ground Feeding | Low Haynet | High Haynet |
|---|---|---|---|
| Back muscles (longissimus dorsi) | Elongated ✅ | Similar ✅ | Shortened ⚠️ |
| Neck position | Natural ✅ | Slightly altered | Unnatural ⚠️ |
| Mandibular angle (jaw) | Wide, natural ✅ | Narrower | Narrow ⚠️ |
| Poll angle | Relaxed ✅ | Moderate | Extreme ⚠️ |
“Ground-level feeding allows horses to maintain a natural head-down position, which is crucial for their musculoskeletal health.” — Mad Barn
The 2025 Cervical Subluxation Study
A recent study found concerning data about hay net use:
| Finding | Hay Net Users | Non-Hay Net Users |
|---|---|---|
| Cervical subluxations | 8% higher | Baseline |
| Neck range of motion | Increased | Baseline |
Interpretation: While hay nets may increase some neck mobility, there’s a trade-off with potential cervical misalignment—especially with improper positioning.
Dr. Andrea Ellis Research: Pull Force Data
The Ellis research team measured the forces horses exert when eating from haynets:
| Variable | Pull Force Finding |
|---|---|
| Hay (normal) | ~2 kg (4.4 lbs) |
| Haylage (resistant) | Up to 6 kg (13.2 lbs) |
| Maximum recorded | 38 kg / 378 Newtons (84 lbs) |
| Low-hung nets | Higher pull force |
| High-hung nets | Lower pull force |
| Double-layered nets | 1.6x higher than single |
“The pull pressure on the teeth was equivalent to around 2 kg for hay, which was not worrying, but it could go up to 6 kg in very resistant forages like haylages.” — Dr. Andrea Ellis, UNEQUI Ltd.
Key insight: Lower nets require horses to pull upward, increasing force. Higher nets allow gravity to assist, but create posture problems.
Optimal Height: Finding the Sweet Spot
The Recommendations
| Source | Recommended Height |
|---|---|
| Ellis et al. | Bottom of net at shoulder height; hung 30cm (12”) above withers |
| The Horse | Knee level produces back posture similar to ground feeding |
| Mad Barn | Ground level or chest height maximum |
| General consensus | Net bottom between knee and chest |
Height Positioning Matrix
| Haynet Position | Back Posture | Neck Posture | Pull Force | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| On ground | ✅ Natural | ✅ Natural | Medium | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Best |
| Knee level | ✅ Near-natural | ⚠️ Slightly altered | Medium | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Good |
| Chest height | ⚠️ Some shortening | ⚠️ Elevated | Lower | ⭐⭐⭐ Acceptable |
| Shoulder height | ⚠️ Shortened | ⚠️ Elevated | Lower | ⭐⭐ Use cautiously |
| Above withers | ❌ Significantly shortened | ❌ Unnatural | Lowest | ❌ Avoid |
Height Adjustment by Horse Type
Consider Individual Needs
| Horse Type | Height Recommendation | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|
| Normal, healthy | Ground to chest | Natural posture priority |
| Senior with arthritis | Slightly elevated (chest) | May be uncomfortable bending low |
| Respiratory issues (RAO/IAD) | Ground level essential | Head-down allows nasal drainage |
| Neck/back issues | Ground level or low | Minimize strain |
| Shod horses | Elevated or in container | Prevent hoof entanglement |
| Young horses | Ground level | Natural grazing development |
The 80/20 Browsing Rule
Some researchers suggest mimicking wild horse behavior with varied heights:
| Feeding Type | Percentage | Height |
|---|---|---|
| Grazing (natural) | 80% | Below knee level |
| Browsing (natural) | 20% | Above knee level |
“Incorporating some browsing-height feeding can engage different stomach and back muscles and promote a more even stance.”
Practical application: If using multiple feeders, position one at ground level and one slightly elevated for variety.
Securing Your Slow Feeder
Attachment Methods
| Method | Stability | Safety | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Two-point suspension | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Stall hay nets |
| Tie to fence post | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Outdoor use |
| Ceiling hook | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | High ceilings only |
| Single attachment | ⭐⭐ | ⚠️ Swinging | Not recommended |
| In container/box | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Ground level |
Why Single Attachment Is Problematic
When a haynet swings freely:
- Horse can’t get leverage to pull hay
- Increases frustration behaviors
- Horse may fling net, creating safety hazard
- Pull force increases as horse fights momentum
Solution: Always secure at two points, or tie bottom to prevent swinging.
Anchor Point Requirements
| Requirement | Specification |
|---|---|
| Weight rating | 150+ lbs minimum |
| Material | Metal (fence post, hook) or solid wood |
| Attachment hardware | Heavy-duty carabiners or quick-release clips |
| Breakaway option | Recommended for hanging nets |
Stall Placement Strategies
Optimal Stall Layout
┌─────────────────────────────────┐
│ │
│ [Slow Feeder 1] │
│ (corner, chest height) │
│ │
│ │
│ [Water] │
│ │
│ [Slow Feeder 2] │
│ (opposite corner, ground) │
│ │
│ [Door] │
└─────────────────────────────────┘Stall Placement Guidelines
| Factor | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Number of feeders | 2 minimum (backup when refilling) |
| Position | Corner placement, away from door traffic |
| Height variety | One ground level, one chest height |
| Distance from water | At least 6 feet (prevents hay contamination) |
| Away from | Stall door swing, bedding pile areas |
Pasture/Paddock Placement
Multi-Feeder Strategy
| Principle | Implementation |
|---|---|
| Space feeders apart | 50+ feet minimum |
| Multiple access points | Subordinate horses can always find food |
| Shelter consideration | At least one in covered area |
| Drainage | Elevate on gravel pads |
Weather Considerations
| Weather | Placement Adjustment |
|---|---|
| Rain | Under shelter or covered feeder |
| Wind | Against windbreak |
| Sun (summer) | In shade if possible |
| Snow | Cleared path to feeders |
Safety: Shod vs. Barefoot Horses
Survey Data (1,283 Horse Owners)
| Horse Type | Using Hay Nets | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| Barefoot | 97.0% | Baseline |
| Shod | 87.5% | 9.5% lower |
| Net Position | Shod Horses | Barefoot Horses |
|---|---|---|
| Ground nets | 8.5% | 21.5% |
| High vertical | 55.0% | 62.3% |
| Covering nets | 29.9% | 47.9% |
“Significantly fewer shod horses were fed with nets (87.5%), compared to unshod horses (97.0%). The type of net used also differed between shod and unshod horses.” — Roig-Pons et al. 2025
Interpretation: Horse owners recognize that shod horses face higher risk with ground-level nets.
Safety Guidelines by Shoeing Status
| Shoeing Status | Ground Nets | Elevated Nets | Container Feeders |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barefoot (adult) | ✅ Safe | ✅ Safe | ✅ Safe |
| Shod | ⚠️ Higher risk | ✅ Preferred | ✅ Safest |
| Barefoot foal/pony | ⚠️ Check hoof vs. hole size | ✅ Safe | ✅ Safe |
Hole Size and Hoof Entanglement
| Hole Size | Entanglement Risk |
|---|---|
| 1” or smaller | Very low (too small for hoof) |
| 1.5” | Low for most adult hooves |
| 2” | Moderate (small pony hooves may fit) |
| 2.5”+ | Higher (young horses, ponies at risk) |
Troubleshooting Position-Related Problems
Problem: Horse’s Back Seems Stiff
Possible cause: Net hung too high, shortening back muscles
Solutions:
- Lower net to chest height or below
- Switch to ground-level container feeder
- Provide variety (multiple heights)
Problem: Increased Respiratory Issues
Possible cause: Elevated feeding trapping dust in airways
Solutions:
- Lower to ground level immediately
- Steam hay to reduce dust
- Ensure net is not above head height
Problem: Horse Won’t Use Feeder
Possible cause: Uncomfortable positioning
Solutions:
- Adjust height (may be too high or too low for that horse)
- Check for swinging (secure bottom)
- Ensure horse can comfortably reach
Problem: Hoof Caught in Net
Possible cause: Ground-level net with shod horse, or holes too large
Solutions:
- Elevate net (minimum 12” when empty)
- Use container to keep net away from ground
- Switch to smaller mesh size
- Use container feeder instead of net
Summary: Quick Reference Guide
Optimal Height by Priority
| Priority | Best Position |
|---|---|
| Natural posture | Ground level |
| Respiratory health | Ground level |
| Shod horse safety | Chest height in container |
| Back health | Ground to knee level |
| Convenience | Chest height (may compromise posture) |
Installation Checklist
| Step | ✅ |
|---|---|
| Position at ground to chest height | ☐ |
| Secure at two points (if hanging) | ☐ |
| Use breakaway attachment | ☐ |
| Consider shod/barefoot status | ☐ |
| Place on drainage surface | ☐ |
| Away from water source | ☐ |
| Test stability before leaving | ☐ |
Related Articles
- step-by-step feeder troubleshooting - Use this when positioning changes create new behavior issues.
- hay-net sizing by intake behavior - Coordinate mounting height and opening size decisions.
- stop hay net destruction - Address pawing, pulling, and forceful feeding at the behavior level.
- build-your-own slow feeder plan - Apply these placement rules directly in custom builds.
Sources
- Ellis AD, Hodgson DR, et al. 2015-2022. Multiple studies on haynet positioning with UNEQUI Ltd.
- Hodgson C, et al. 2022. The effect of haynet design on pull force and horse posture. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science.
- DeBoer LJ, et al. 2022. Cross-over study on hay nets and dental health. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science.
- Roig-Pons M, et al. 2025. Survey of Slow-Feeder Use. Journal of Veterinary Behavior.
- Kentucky Equine Research. Hay Net Height and Horse Posture. ker.com
- The Horse. The Skinny on Slow Feeders. thehorse.com
- Mad Barn. Slow Feeder Positioning. madbarn.com
- Equus Magazine. Haynet Safety Tips. equusmagazine.com
- HorseSport. Cervical Subluxation Study. horsesport.com
Disclaimer: This guide provides general positioning recommendations. Individual horses may have specific needs based on health conditions, conformation, or physical limitations. Consult your veterinarian or equine physiotherapist for horses with existing neck, back, or respiratory issues.