Pros And Cons Of Hay Nets For Horses

By Martha Barnes


When hay nets first hit the scene, they were frowned on by many owners as an unnatural way of feeding forage. Tying hay up high was seen as counterproductive for animals which grazed on the ground. There was also the fear that the horse would get more dust in eyes and nostrils. However, hay nets for horses are necessary in some scenarios, and the designs have changed to make feeding hay safe and practical.

Originally the only kind of net available had a drawstring top, with long cords that pulled the top tightly closed. The cords were then used to tie the net up high. The openings in the net allowed the animal to pull one mouthful of hay out at a time. Many horse owners felt that feeding at eye level was unnatural and also might cause the horse to breathe in more dust. They preferred to put hay on the ground.

The net came in handy when moving animals by trailer. Forage could be provided during the trip and also at the destination, if the horse was tied to the trailer. If a horse had to be tied for any reason, putting forage in a net meant that the tie rope could be kept short to prevent the animal from getting a leg tangled.

Today there are many types of forage bags for many different uses. Mini bags can hold one flake of hay, while the extra large ones can fit around an entire 3-wire bale. There are even mesh covers for the huge round bales designed to be fed in fields or paddocks.

When horses eat through netting, they must slow down and eat one mouthful at a time. This cuts down on forage costs, since a horse will eat more than it needs if given the chance. It also cuts waste dramatically. Horses grab big mouthfuls and drop what they can't chew, which they then heedlessly trample underfoot. Netting a round bale is estimated to cut loss by as much as 80%.

These nets are made with smaller holes in the mesh. An opening of one to one and a half inches keeps the animal from pulling out a large mouthful. This prevents greedy horses from over-eating and making it easier for owners to keep horses from gaining too much weight.

Experts say that the horse should have a constant supply of forage to digest. However, owners who keep hay in front of their animals 24/7 have to worry about over-eating and weight gain. A slow-feeder bag can solve the problem. There's no need to limit the amount of hay given, since the bag does the work for you.

This steady feeding is more natural and satisfying to a horse. Veterinarians say it cuts down on the incidence of ulcers and other digestive upsets. Some people hang several nets in a stall or a paddock, so the horse will move around in a natural way. Some nets are designed to be hung low on a fence or in a stall, allowing the horse to feed with its head down. Check out online product descriptions and endorsements to learn more.




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