Slowfeeding dispensers for horses: who, how and why?

Slowfeeding dispensers for horses: who, how and why? | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article Slowfeeding dispensers for horses: who, how and why? Marie Roig-Pons, Iris Bachmann, Sabrina Briefer This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-4159127/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Slowfeeders (SFs) are feed dispensers designed to mechanically slow feed intake. As such, they are a promising tool for improving the welfare of horses by meeting their behavioural and physiological feeding needs while controlling the risk of obesity. However, there is limited knowledge regarding the current use of SFs by horse owners and the profile of horses using such feeders. The objective of this questionnaire-based study was to evaluate the slow-feeding practices among horse owners and yard operators in some French-speaking European countries (Belgium, France and Switzerland). We received 1,283 replies, revealing that the population of horses fed with SFs differs from the general population of ridden horses in several aspects, such as age, training, and housing. This information is valuable for ensuring representative sampling in future studies. Regarding the type of SF used, more than 85% of the respondents reported using hay nets, with hay nets covering the hay in the hayrack or surrounding a bale of hay being particularly popular. The main reasons for using SFs were waste management, weight reduction, and increased feeding time for horses. Most respondents did not encounter any issues when using SFs and less than 10% of respondents reported health problems and accidents resulting from the use of SF. Differences were also found between countries and between operators and owners, indicating that different user profiles have varying requirements for the feeder they use. Animal Science Animal Behavior Feeding management slowfeeder equine welfare weight management housing practices survey Full Text Additional Declarations The authors declare no competing interests. Supplementary Files RoigPons2024SlowfeedingDispenserAppendices.pdf Cite Share Download PDF Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. We do this by developing innovative software and high quality services for the global research community. Our growing team is made up of researchers and industry professionals working together to solve the most critical problems facing scientific publishing. Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-4159127","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":283285580,"identity":"bb2d07ef-5aa1-4b16-9b00-bf41a046fa35","order_by":0,"name":"Marie Roig-Pons","email":"data:image/png;base64,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","orcid":"https://orcid.org/0009-0005-0326-1454","institution":"University of Bern, Vetsuisse, Veterinary Public Health Institute, Animal Welfare Division, Länggassstrasse 6 120, 3012 Bern, Switzerland; 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