Ensure that the horse is being supervised when using the feeder for the first few days, and that the horse is properly introduced to The Natural Feeder®. Do this by putting a flake of hay on top of The Natural Feeder® after the bale is loaded. Pull some hay out from between the grate openings, so that the horse acclimates to the feeder in a positive manner. Horses can become frustrated if they are not acclimated correctly to the feeder.

Using The Natural Feeder®:

Step 1: Turn The Natural Feeder® upside down and slide out the bottom panel.           

Step 2: Place the large grate inside the feeder over the opening with the rounded/raised side facing the horse. Use the grate with the largest openings to begin with, even if your horse is accustomed to "trickle feeding," as this will allow him to adjust to this new way of foraging. The grate mimics the way horses graze by ingesting small amounts throughout the day.

Step 3: Place a bale of hay into the feeder, twine side facing up. Cut the twine and remove. If the hay is very compacted, the horse won't be able to forage properly, so be sure he can easily pull hay through the grate openings.

Step 4: Slide the bottom panel back into place, tie it shut and turn the feeder right side up.

Helpful Tips:

• Use the largest grate size for the first 2 days to 2 weeks before utilizing the medium grate, which will further restrict consumption. The key is acclimating your horse slowly and calmly to this new way of eating. It should be a pleasant process for him because stress can result in increased cortisol levels and cause a negative reaction to the feeder.
  

• For the first couple weeks of use, it is beneficial to use a cable tie to keep the bottom panel in place just in case the horse tips the feeder over. In short time, most horses become accustomed to the feeder and won't push it around, so long as hay is continuously provided.
  

• During the acclimation process, pull a little hay up through the grate openings and place a flake or two of hay on top of the feeder to help the horse gradually and calmly transition to this feeding method.
  

• If the bale is too tightly compacted that the horse can't readily pull hay up through the grate. You may need to remove a few flakes to loosen the hay and make it easier for the horse to forage.
  

• In the beginning, your horse may seem to eat constantly, but rest assured, horses will learn to self-regulate once they realize that hay is always available. This self-regulating process takes anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. Horses are very content utilizing the feeder once they figure out they can eat and come back and hay is still available. It is awesome to be part of this process!