Big Bale Buddy vs. Slow Bale Buddy: What's the Difference?
Both the Big Bale Buddy and the Slow Bale Buddy are designed to improve round bale feeding, but they do so in different ways.
The Big Bale Buddy focuses allowing access only to the flat end of the bale and protecting the hay to reduce hay loss hay loss, while the Slow Bale Buddy is designed to restrict the rate at which horses can pull hay to grazing speed. Depending on your feeding goals, either product can be used on its own, or they can be combined for an even slower feeding rate.
Big Bale Buddy
The Big Bale Buddy is a round bale feeder bag that covers the sides and one end of the bale, allowing the horses to pull hay from the open flat end. It keeps the hay clean and protected during muddy and windy weather. It can be used upright or on its side to further protect the hay in wet weather.
Key Benefits
- Drastically reduces hay waste when compared to feeding a round bale without a feeder.
- Limits access to the flat end of the bale, where it is harder to pull out large mouthfuls.
- Keeps hay contained in the feeder, reducing waste.
- Helps to protect the hay in windy and wet weather.
- Suitable for round bale feeding in groups or individual feeding situations.
Slow Bale Buddy
The Slow Bale Buddy is a slow-feed net designed to mimic grazing by slowing down the amount horses can pull out at one time.
Key Benefits
- Slows the rate of hay consumption.
- Encourages longer, slower digestion helping to equalize weight.
- Ensures hay is always available, reducing food anxiety.
- Excellent for most horses, including overeaters and hay wasters :).
- Almost completely eliminates waste.
Can They Be Used Together?
Yes.
For owners looking to slow consumption even further, the Slow Bale Buddy can be fitted over the outside of the Big Bale Buddy. This way of feeding would be beneficial for metabolic horses and horses with excess weight issues.
The Correct Installation Order
The Slow Bale Buddy should be installed over the outside of the Big Bale Buddy.
Installing the products in the reverse order is not recommended. When the net is placed inside the feeder bag, the netting will bunch together inside the bag as the bale is consumed, blocking access to the hay.
By placing the Slow Bale Buddy on the outside, the netting will remain open over the access to the hay in the Big Bale Buddy, allowing horses consistent access to the hay throughout the feeding period.
Which Option Is Right for You?
If your primary goal is to contain and protect the bale while reducing waste, the Big Bale Buddy should be all you need.
If you would like to further slow the rate of consumption, the Slow Bale Buddy can be added over the outside of the Big Bale Buddy to create an additional level of feed control. Excellent for our evolutionary equine friends that have not yet adjusted to the abundance domestication provides.
Used together, they provide a practical solution for horse owners who want to reduce waste while extending the amount of time horses spend consuming a round bale.