17/06/2025
Ever wonder if how you feed hay affects your horse's topline?
Spoiler: IT DOES!
🐴 Why Feeding Naturally Matters for Your Horse’s Spine
1. Mimics natural grazing postureIn the wild, horses graze with their heads and necks low—mirroring a posture that engages their entire spine correctly. Studies using geometric morphometrics show that feeding from ground level supports the ideal back and neck alignment—dubbed the "natural feeding position"—while higher feeders distort this posture.
2. Reduces strain on back and neck musclesResearch indicates that high haynets shortens back muscle engagement and alters jaw/neck angles, potentially increasing stress on the thoracolumbosacral region..
3. Promotes spinal mobility and “passive physio”Variable feeding heights—even slightly lower feeders—have been shown to encourage subtle, beneficial spinal flexion and extension. These postures act like a gentle physiotherapy session, improving muscle suppleness over time.
4. Enhances respiratory and digestive healthA low feeding posture helps maintain optimal airway and digestive tract positioning. With the neck lowered naturally, airflow and food passage are smoother—feeding ground-level supports this better than elevated feeders.
5. Reduces risk of vertebral or back issuesChronic unnatural feeding posture may contribute to spinal pathology over time—leading to muscle atrophy, reduced flexibility, and back pain.
🏁 Final Take
Feeding from a natural, ground-level height is more than a comfort choice—it supports your horse’s spinal health, respiratory function, and digestive efficiency. It aligns with instinctual grazing behavior and reduces physical strain. The Heica Fluffy Feeder offers an innovative, research-backed solution that combines the benefits of slow feeding with naturally supportive posture.
Read the full article here: https://www.ahleri.com/post/heica-hay-pillow-fluffy-feeder
Get your Heica Fluffy Feeder here: https://www.ahleri.com/enrichment
