Trickle net, elim a net or double net ?

Donkeyslave said:
Has anyone used tricklenets for donkeys? I have been using them with mine (trickle net mini) but I am concerned about the frustration and anger aspect. I watched them this a.m. and my gelding was grabbing it and pulling with such force over and over again! He has been using it now for about 6 weeks. It has slowed them down and they make half kilo of hay last 1.5 hrs. approx. I do feed low down and 4 feeds a day as they're on a dust patch ( we're in Spain) but maybe I'll try lowering them to the ground (they're unshod) Any suggestions?
Click to expand...
I always feed a bit alongside so they can eat a bit before they have to work on it. It seems to lessen the frustration. (I don’t actually use Tricklenets anymore I use Martsnets as they seem a bit easier for them and mine don’t need slowing down too much).
 
I was a Tricklenet fan, but TBH the new Shires Greedy Feeder nets are better IMO. They don't last as long, but then they are cheaper. The reason I prefer them is that the holes are just perfect. Not as small and difficult as a Tricklenet, but better than the others.

Not too big, not too small :D
 
I recently bought a nibbleze net and really like it-medium sized one and have used it as a normal net and as a floor net-as a floor net it definitely slows him down and unlike a knotted net, the holes dont collapse on themselves when the net isnt that full-so softer and less frustrating for them I think. I have a greedy feeder, a Marts and have tried many of the other makes. My ponies get a certain portion of their hay loose and some in the slow feeder nets. will be buying another nibbleze net for the winter.
 
I bought a slow feeder from Horze (think it's called Harry's horse?). I put a zip on it and it's been great. I wanted to use it as ground feeder, but fox has decided it makes a good toilet, so back to hanging up (they're both unshod).
 
I have two that both need to drop some weight, but are both absolute artists at emptying haynets in record time. One has a trickle net, and although she's figured out that slowing right down and teasing the hay out is the quickest way to eat it, she still takes 4 times longer to eat her hay. The other has had a few goes at the trickle net, and is yet to work out the technique. Currently reckons that opening her mouth as wide as possible and savaging it is worth a go!
 
MotherOfChickens said:
I recently bought a nibbleze net and really like it-medium sized one and have used it as a normal net and as a floor net-as a floor net it definitely slows him down and unlike a knotted net, the holes dont collapse on themselves when the net isnt that full-so softer and less frustrating for them I think. I have a greedy feeder, a Marts and have tried many of the other makes. My ponies get a certain portion of their hay loose and some in the slow feeder nets. will be buying another nibbleze net for the winter.
Click to expand...

Thought our nibbleze ones are great, didn’t need the small holed one in the end so donated to a very greedy section a :)
 
Ah haahh! You know winter's just around the corner when you get a "Trickle-Net" post!!

Personally I think they're grossly over-priced; a few years ago I looked into them, and they were selling at about thirty quid! Yes they may be effective, and yes they may do what it says on the tin, but with three horses there's no way that I'd go there!!

With my cobby load of greedy-guts's, I just got some really small-mesh haylage nets, and double-netted them last winter. Cheapest way to do it. Why spend more?
 
Buying cheap small holed nets is false economy for me. My cob will happily chew through a haynet If it means he can eat quicker. I also use them on the ground at certain times so cheap nets don’t last long. I have Martsnets that have been used almost daily for the last three years and have a couple of teeny holes that I repaired. They were more expensive than cheap nets but I know I’d have bought many more cheap nets in that time.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top