OptiMizer Slow Hay Feeder: The Smart Way to Feed

Have you ever worried that your horse’s feeding routine just isn’t natural enough? Fast feeding can cause digestive upset, anxiety, and bad habits. 

That's why the OptiMizer Slow Hay Feeder, available exclusively in the UK through Paddock Blade,is such a breakthrough.

Designed for both stable and field use, it delivers clean, slow, and safe feeding that's better for your horse and easier for you.

Why Horses Need Slow Feeding

Horses are designed to graze slowly for many hours a day. Rapid consumption leads to health risks like colic, ulcers, obesity, and behavioural issues such as cribbing or anxiety.

Slow feeders replicate natural feeding patterns, promoting better digestion and mental wellbeing. 

The OptiMizer takes this to the next level with innovative design and durability.

Understanding Slow Hay Feeders

Slow hay feeders are specially engineered to limit access to small portions at a time. This not only slows the rate of eating but encourages proper chewing and saliva production, boosting fiber digestion. 

Some competitors use simple netting or bins, often frustrating or unsafe. 

In contrast, OptiMizer combines a safe, tough polymer shell with a stainless steel net frame for seamless, horse-friendly slow feeding.

Introducing the OptiMizer Slow Hay Feeder

The OptiMizer stands out as a top-tier product in both its Stable and Field versions. Developed in Canada and trusted across North America since 2019, it brings:

• Durable LLDPE construction used in playgrounds
  
  

• Smooth, one-handed operation with horse-proof latches
  
  

• Clean, low-waste feeding with netting that remains taut over hay
  
  

• Drainage options to soak hay in place
  
  

• Minimal maintenance and full assembly - just mount and go
  
  

Paddock Blade is the exclusive UK distributor, making this elite feeder available with free delivery to England and Wales and plenty of payment options.

Stable OptiMizer: Indoor Excellence

Perfect for stall or shelter use, the Stable OptiMizer holds up to 15 kg of hay, ideal for overnight fullness without overfeeding. It mounts easily in a corner, features rounded edges for safety, and opens in one smooth motion. 

Whether you choose the 3 cm, 4 cm, 6 cm, or UltraNet option, horses eat more slowly but steadily with minimal waste or mess.

Field OptiMizer: Outdoor Innovation

For paddock or pasture situations, the Field OptiMizer is a robust solution built for the elements. Holding up to ~100 kg of hay or two small square bales, its heavy polymer shell and arm mechanism ensure that multiple horses can feed safely together. 

With drainage holes and convenient handles, it's mobile, easy to use, and perfect for soaking hay before feeding.

Feeding Smarter: Benefits for Horses

With the OptiMizer:

• Horses maintain a normal head‑down grazing posture, reducing tension and stress.
  
  

• Continuous, slow consumption helps avoid digestive spikes and gastric ulcers.
  
  

• Netting offers gentle oral engagement, reducing boredom and destructive behaviours.
  
  

Time & Cost Savings for Owners

Expect dramatic reductions in hay waste - less than 1%, according to testing. Refilling becomes less frequent and no‑net mess means cleaner stalls and paddocks. 

The ability to soak hay in‑place saves prep time too, and delivery arrives fully assembled, easy installation, easy care.

Safety and Durability: What Sets OptiMizer Apart

Constructed from heavy‑duty LLDPE and stainless steel, all corners are rounded, and surfaces smooth, minimizing injury risk. UV‑stable plastics resist deterioration outdoors. 

Each unit comes with 5‑year warranty on the shell and metal parts, and a year warranty on UltraNet material, evidence of confidence in long‑term durability.

Why the OptiNet System Is Better

Instead of tying nets around bales, the OptiNet system drapes netting inside the feeder. The horse pulls hay through mesh gently, no injured lips or snagging. Choose from mesh sizes:

• 3 cm (fine, ideal for easy doers)
  
  

• 4 cm (standard, suit most horses)
  
  

• 6 cm (large, good for poor doers)
  
  

• UltraNet (feels soft like cotton; shrinks in high‑use zones and is 15× stronger than steel)
  
  

Matching OptiNet Size to Your Horse

• Easy‑doers benefit from 3 cm nets to slow intake.
  
  

• Most horses are suited to the 4 cm.
  
  

• Underweight or growing animals may do better with 6 cm.

• Heavy chewers or net‑destroyers? UltraNet offers ultimate durability.
  

Outdoor Horses Face Unique Challenges

With changing weather, mud, and less supervision, feeders need to be rugged and self‑sufficient. The OptiMizer's drainage capabilities prevent mold in soaked hay; its sturdy build withstands wind, impact, and nibbling.

Built‑In Hay Soaking Without the Mess

The feeder can soak hay directly, just plug the drainage, add water, and let it sit. When ready, open the plug, drain the water, and feed. 

No buckets needed. Drainage holes are strategically placed, bottom in stable version, side in MicroMini field model.

Stable vs Field: Which One Should You Choose?

Real Feedback from North America

Since 2019, OptiMizer feeders have earned praise from thousands of horse owners across Canada and the US. Many report:

• Dramatic hay savings
  
  

• Less stall cleaning
  
  

• Happier, calmer horses
  
  
  

How OptiMizer Compares to Other Slow Feeders

Most slow feeders use tied nets or open troughs. Common issues include ripped nets, mold from wet hay, clogging, and limited capacity. OptiMizer solves these with:

• Totally enclosed net system
  
  

• Drainage design for soaking
  
  

• Heavy-duty materials with minimal assembly
  
  

• Elegant one-handed opening for fast refill
  
  

Ordering & Delivery Details

This is a pre‑order item with 6–8 week delivery. Orders to England & Wales include free shipping; extra fees apply for Scotland or Northern Ireland. Klarna “pay in four” is available.

Frequently Asked Questions

What size mesh should I choose for my horse?
– Choose based on feeding habits: 3 cm for easy keepers, 4 cm standard, 6 cm for poor doers, and UltraNet for tough users.

How do I soak hay?
Plug the drain, add water, wait, then release to drain. Hay is soaked in place, no mess.

Is the feeder easy to clean?
Yes, just rinse and plug the drain hole to rinse sediment. No disassembly needed.

Can multiple horses feed together?
Yes, the Field OptiMizer is designed for group feeding with safety and capacity in mind.

What about mounting?
Stable version comes with fasteners and mounting instructions. Field version is freestanding with handles for repositioning.

What if the horse chews through netting?
 UltraNet is built for durability and comes with a 12‑month warranty; standard nets are still robust.

The OptiMizer Slow Hay Feeder, Stable and Field versions, offers a smarter, healthier, and more efficient feeding solution for horses and owners alike.

With minimal waste, safe design, easy soak options, and top-tier durability, it's the smart upgrade every attentive equine owner needs.

Whether you're stabling horses or managing paddocks, the OptiMizer delivers quality, convenience, and peace of mind, especially since it's now available exclusively in the UK from Paddock Blade.