The Finnish Secret to Happy Horses: with Sonja & Katja from Heica Hay Feeders

About this episode

This episode explores the Finnish approach to equestrian welfare and the innovative practices of Heica Hay Feeders.

In this episode of Over the Oxer, we travel (virtually!) to Finland to speak with Sonja and Katja, the founders of Heica Hay Feeders. Finland is at the forefront of equestrian welfare legislation, and my guests provide a fascinating look at how these new regulations are changing the landscape for horse owners. We dive deep into the philosophy of equine enrichment: moving beyond the idea of "slow feeding" to creating a lifestyle that respects the horse’s natural behaviours. Sonja and Katja share the origin story of Heica, explaining how a search for a better feeder evolved into a mission to provide mental stimulation for horses in stables and paddocks worldwide. In this episode, we discuss: Equestrian Culture in Finland: What makes the Finnish approach to horse care unique? The New Regulations: A breakdown of the latest welfare standards in Finland and what they mean for the future of horse ownership. From Feeding to Enrichment: Why "slow feeding" was only the beginning for Heica. The Psychology of the Stable: How to use enrichment tools to reduce stress and boredom-related behaviors. Innovation in Design: How Sonja and Katja built a brand centred on horse welfare. 👉Heica Feeders…

People in this episode

Host: Tracey Cole

Guests: Sonja, Katja

Topics covered

• Equestrian welfare
• Horse care
• Equine enrichment
• Feeding practices
• Mental stimulation
• Horse ownership regulations

Keywords

• happy horses
• equestrian culture
• welfare standards
• slow feeding
• stress reduction
• horse enrichment
• Heica Hay Feeders

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Heica Hay Feeders, Heica Feeders, Instagram, Facebook

Places: Finland

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