Hay OptiMizer

17/08/2024

Do you know how much hay you’re feeding? Is it enough? If their pasture is eaten down, are they getting supplemental forage?

Your horse needs to consume about 2% of its body weight in quality forage to maintain their condition. This is calculated in dry matter (I just learned this!). Flakes are not an accurate measurement since their weight can vary significantly. If your horse isn’t getting enough forage they can lose conditioning and have significant health issues like ulcers and even colic. A slow feeder can help make that ration last longer to keep your horse chewing and protect their digestive tract.

This is also true in the summer months. Because pasture has so much water (about 75% or so), your horse needs to consume even more than 2% of their body weight. So if your pastures are overgrazed, your horse may not be getting enough forage and probably needs supplemental hay.

03/08/2024

It’s a myth! Slow feeding is not hard on your horse’s mouth.

Tom Thumb is a Gypsy Vanner, with hair to spare, who lives in southern Ontario Canada. Half the year he slow feeds exclusively from a Hay OptiMizer. The other half of the year he is on pasture.

When Tom is slow feeding from the Hay OptiMizer, he grows this glorious moustache. The OptiNet is so soft and gentle that it doesn’t rub on his mouth in any way.

While grazing from pasture, Tom’s ‘stache is worn off with abrasion and he goes bare-faced. Simply foraging pasture rubs his moustache right off.

That’s the evidence for you. Slow feeding from a Hay OptiMizer is more gentle on a horse’s mouth than pasture. Myth busted!

18/07/2024

With the flash thunderstorms we are seeing here in Southern Ontario, the drainage holes in our Hay OptiMizers are saving our hay. Some areas have had a month’s worth of rain in 4 hours. It’s flooding out culverts and causing washouts everywhere.

But our hay is saved in the Hay OptiMizer. Contained up off the ground out of the puddles and mud. So our hay isn’t wasted and we know our horses still have hay available.

09/07/2024

Hay fed on the ground gets wasted. It blows away. Horses stomp and soil it. Or it gets mixed in with sand and can cause serious health problems.

The Hay OptiMizer keeps hay contained, dry, clean, and off the ground to ensure it isn’t wasted.

19/06/2024

How long does your horse’s hay ration last while they’re in their stall overnight?

Did you know that horses that fast without forage for more than 3-4 hours are at risk for ulcers and colic? Not to mention inducing stress and the behaviours that are associated with it.

Make your horse’s hay last all night by using the OptiMizer InStall. It will slow down consumption and increase chewing. Thus protecting your horse’s sensitive digestive system from illness and pain.

07/06/2024

You get to choose which height is best for your horse. Mount the OptiMizer InStall higher for tall horses or playful horses who like to put their hooves in things. Mount the InStall lower for ponies or for simulating grazing with a lower head position. You can even mount your OptiMizer InStall directly on the stall floor for your adorable minis.

Whatever height your horse needs is up to you.

03/06/2024

The Hay OptiMizer keeps your horse’s hay clean and dry. No matter the weather. that gets stomped, soaked, and soiled on the ground.

30/05/2024

That’s enough hay to feed an average horse for 24 hours. No stuffing hay nets. No additional feedings. No worry your horse has run out of hay.

23/05/2024

A horse’s mouth is very sensitive. They can feel for individual pieces of forage that are the tastiest.

The OptiNet was specifically designed to be strong yet nonabrasive. Horse lovers who see the Hay OptiMizer for the first time notice the difference in our nets right away. Our net was custom made to be the best.

You will see the difference too.

14/05/2024

The Hay OptiMizer has built in handles to make moving it easy. Grab the handles and drag your to a new paddock, out of the mud, or out of the way for machinery. If you have help, grab from both sides and carry the with ease.

It’s like pockets; if you don’t have any, there’s something missing.

02/05/2024

At 33 inches, Smudge appreciates having the OptiMizer InStall positioned directly on the stall floor.

You can choose the height of your InStall placement to suit your horse’s comfort and needs. Higher for tall horses or the tricksters who like to paw. Lower for ponies or for a grazing posture.

25/04/2024

Would you like to your herd in less than a minute?

15/04/2024

Repetitive strain can cause pain and injury. With the OptiMizer InStall, your horse can have the benefits of slow feeding while they maintain a relaxed body position.

11/04/2024

Are you bedding your paddocks in $$ ??? Of course not! So don’t let your horses waste half their hay (and your money) stomping it through the dirt.

The Hay OptiMizer reduces waste to less than 1%. That’s almost no waste at all!! It keeps the hay dry, off the ground, and out of the dirt. The hay is contained in the manger making it always available for your horse to graze.

08/04/2024

See the Hay OptiMizer in the Cashmans Horse Equipment booth at Equine Affaire, Inc. (Official) in April 11 - 14, 2024

08/04/2024

Come see us at the System Equine booth Can-Am All Breeds Equine Expo in April 12-14, 2024

03/04/2024

Use code hayoptimizer15 for 15% discount off this course offered by Equine Guelph - Helping Horses for Life

Ration Balancer Info-sheet & exciting educational offering to learn about forage! View as Webpage FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Balancing Act of Equine Nutrition New Ration Balancer Info-sheet, Forage a

02/04/2024

Get the right size for your herd and your hay to optimize

27/03/2024

Have you ever wondered how a large and athletic animal, like a horse, could live on dried grass? How can they get enough calories and nutrition from the stuff we mow down in our yards?

Equine Guelph - Helping Horses for Life is offering an "Introduction to Forage" course available for everyone this spring 2024! You can learn what is in the forage that helps your horse thrive and why they need it. Practical tips for horse owners and caregivers on selecting, feeding, and managing forage for horses is also included.

Our very own Sue Wilson, founder of Wishing Well Services Ltd who brought you the Hay Optimizer, is a guest expert! The course is open to the general public through the University of Guelph for $95 but you can have 15% off by using the code hayoptimizer15

Introduction to Forage – Spring ’24 Apr 8 – Apr 19 5-10 hours per week Register Now OverviewCourse TopicsObjectivesAchievementsRequirementsTestimonialsCourse Instructor and Guest ExpertCourse ContributorWelcome to the Introduction to Forage online short course on The Horse Portal! The purpose ...

27/03/2024

Looking for a Hay Optimizer dealer near you? Find us here

Want to know where you can find the OptiMizer, whether you want to see it in store or shop online? click here to learn more!

26/03/2024

Look that this! Limiting forage is stressful for horses and can cause obesity. Free-choice forage actually keeps your horse from being overweight. See how it works in this article by Getty Equine Nutrition, LLC -- Juliet M. Getty, Ph.D., Horse Nutritionist

By Juliet M. Getty, Ph.D. If you have read my book, Feed Your Horse Like A Horse, listened to my lectures, or visited with me about your horse, you know that everything I do is based on feeding horses in sync with their instincts and physiology. Horses are grazing animals and are designed to consume...

25/03/2024

When does your horse run out of hay in their stall? How long does it take them to finish their hay?

If your horse runs out of hay within a couple hours and has none for 3-4 hours or more, it’s no wonder they are banging down the door in the morning.

can help the hay ration last much longer and even all night long. Imagine how much better your horse will feel after having access to forage in their stall right through until breakfast.

21/03/2024

OptiMizer users notice positive changes in their horse’s stall behaviour after using the OptiMizer InStall. Horses spend more time nibbling and chewing through their and less time doing other maladaptive and destructive behaviours. Their horses are calmer as they have access to forage all night. The extended chewing time is beneficial to their digestive tract and their wellbeing.

We hope to spread feelings of contentment for all horses everywhere.

17/03/2024

Will you be there??
System Equine Can-Am All Breeds Equine Expo

17/03/2024

🤫 Sssshhhhhhhh don’t speak too soon but I think we can safely say we made it through this weather for the year.

15/03/2024

Keep your precious hay clean and dry this spring. Stop wasting hay by having it spoiled and stomped into the mud. Slow feed hay off the ground and save your pasture.

12/03/2024

It’s a myth!

Did anyone ever gain weight from eating broccoli all day? I don’t think so. It’s the same for your horse. The hay they’re eating matters. If the hay is high in calories then your horse can gain weight but if it’s low in calories then they won’t.

Horses need forage moving through their digestive system at all times in order to stay healthy. This protects them from ulcers, colic, and unwanted behaviours like weaving and chewing on wood. But how can you provide that without risking obesity? Provide a low calorie forage and a . Your horse can trickle feed and stay healthy.

11/03/2024

Long summer days are ahead ☀️

05/03/2024

The net matters. We know that the size of the netting affects how quickly they can eat. The net itself matters too. The net is the part of the that touches your horse’s sensitive mouth.

The OptiNet has been custom designed to be as durable and as soft as possible. It has been designed to dry quickly and not hold on to water. It has also been designed to be thick enough to keep from tangling in the hay. Finally, it has been designed without knots to keep a smooth and soft texture for your horse’s mouth and teeth. Our net is different and that matters.