We founded Heica to bring enrichment and slow feeders to the market that are designed primarily from the horse’s perspective. Our second commitment was to use recycled materials to minimize our impact on the planet. Finally, we strive to respect human rights, which is why all our products are manufactured in Finland, Europe.
How it all
started
Everything
started as a solution for a personal challenge, which later grew into
a business to help others with the same needs.
Our very first
product was the hay pillow, Fluffy Feeder. At the time, the horses
were living at Sonja’s yard, and it bothered us how much they
simply stood around doing nothing. We wanted to give them something
to do while we were at our day jobs.
When we saw how
much joy the horses got from the hay pillows, we knew we had
developed something meaningful. It
took three years to create the Fluffy Feeder, gather the information
from users and develop the product to meet the design it is today.
As a natural
extension of the hay pillow, we have developed alternative solutions
and enrichment to offer variety, as no stable environment is the
same.
Who we are
We
are sisters with a strong desire to change the world for the better.
We believe that for a horse, eating is much more than just chewing and we want to give animals a chance to live happily, enabling them to behave in
natural ways as much as possible. We are strong women with
ambitious goals to help the equine sector move beyond outdated habits
and improve welfare for both horses and humans.
We
have loved horses since childhood. Sonja began her career working in
horse stables, gathering experience in the equine sector and horse
welfare. She has known her horse Kerttu since 2006, when Kerttu was
born, and they have built a strong bond together.
Katja
had her horse Alma for almost ten years. She had to let Alma go a few
years ago, but horses are still an important part of her daily life.
If we consider only the physical health, then yes. But we can't rule out horse's mental health and their experience on the matter.
There's been a lot of discussion about horses' physical well-being around the world and how feeding should be arranged to support the gut health the best possible way. Now we need to take another step to discuss about the mental well-being and how we can support it by feeding.
When assessing the safety of our Fluffy Feeder and Mini Fluffy for a particular horse, we look at both benefits and risks. On one hand, we consider the possible risks of using the feeder. On the other hand, we consider the risks of not using it.
Stall rest isn’t just about keeping a horse entertained—it also comes with health risks. Reduced movement increases the likelihood of colic, making thoughtful feeding strategies essential. This is where slow feeders become invaluable, helping to mimic natural grazing behavior while preventing boredom and digestive issues.
Enrichment plays a crucial role in your horse's mental and physical well-being. But how do you choose the right enrichment? Here are some practical tips to help you make the best choice for your equine friend.
On New Year's Eve, when the world is full of flashes and explosions, a horse's experience is likely unpleasant but something it simply has to endure.
Chewing hay is a calming and stress-relieving activity for horses. It’s a good idea to ensure hay is available late into the night. You can use the Fluffy Feeder during the evening to create a
calming atmosphere.
We often get questions like: "How much does Fluffy Feeder slow down eating?" or "Would it help my horse in current situation?"
The truth is, Fluffy Feeder is just one tool in your daily routine. Every horse is unique, with its own temperament and needs, and each stable environment and routine differs. So, the effects of a Fluffy Feeder will vary from one situation to another.
Slow feeders have been an essential tool for horse owners, for years now, looking to optimize their equine companions' health and well-being. And it has been essential tool for us also. That is the reason why Heica feeders exists.
