FAQs About the OptiMizer
Have questions? You’ve come to the right place.
Why isn't the green handle in the middle of the slide arm? Why do you operate the slide arm from the front?
The slide arm was designed to be operated from the front of the OptiMizer®, and so the green handle is offset towards the front. This orientation enables the slide arm to function smoothly in any terrain (it uses a bar and loop design to accommodate uneven ground) and allows you to operate the slide arm with one hand and lift the net out of the way at the same time with the other, all the while standing straight to minimize back strain.
How did you choose the netting?
We wanted to ensure the netting was gentle for the horses’ muzzles, mouth, and teeth and durable.
Over the years, we have used a variety of hay bags made out of different polymers and styles and learned that knotless nets were the best for our horses.
For the first year of production of the OptiMizer, we used raschel knotless nylon netting. Our initial experience was excellent, but we learned that there was an important minority of horses that were chewing through this net. We tested several more durable options and working closely with a large net producer, we’ve specified our own net—the OptiNet.
We also tested numerous different net sizes in the OptiMizer: 6”, 2.5”, 2”, 1.5”, 1.6″, and, 1.25”. We find that the 1.6”, thicker net is optimal for regulating consumption but not frustrating the horses. In fact, the horses seemed most content, sometimes even trance-like while eating from this net.
So at this time, we will provide the 1.6” thicker net as our standard. Contact us for custom sizes.
Is there replacement net available?
Absolutely—replacement kits are available. The net is loaded on a tool to make it easy to put on the hay assembly. Detailed instructions are included in the kit, and there is a ‘how to’ video showing each step is on our website.
Are other colours available?
How many horses can eat from one OptiMizer?
This depends on the dynamics of your herd and some of your management practices. Our experience with our herd is that 4 horses can eat together at the OptiMizer. However, I have heard anywhere from 1 to 6 horses from various customers!
As the temperature gets colder, horses need to eat more hay and they will spend a lot of time at the OptiMizer, especially if it is their only source of hay over a 24 hour period. For example, our herd of 8 horses live outside all the time (with access to shelter in a cozy bank barn). Last winter, we had 3 OptiMizers, which were refilled once a day with up to 6 bales of hay. On especially cold days, we also put some flakes of loose hay in the corners of their barn, so they could choose to eat indoors if they wanted.
Do you wait for the OptiMizer to be empty before you refill it?
How do you get the horses to move around when they are eating from the OptiMizer?
We just had a lot of freezing rain and the net is trapped in a layer of ice frozen to the bottom of the feeder. What should I do?
Now that I have the net out of the ice how do I get the chunks of ice off of it?
After a freezing rain event I'm having trouble moving the slide arm. What should I do?
To fix it, you need a kettle with some warm water (it doesn’t have to boiling; lukewarm will do) and a dry cloth:
- To start, gradually pour the water out along the part of the assembly closest to front to melt the ice.
- Next, use the cloth to wipe the water off and prevent it from re-freezing.