Hay net recommendations

[taylorelaine]

I think I need to get my horse a hay net. I know it’s better and more natural for them to eat off the ground, but it’s become such a chore cleaning out his stall, and I’m hoping a hay net will help reduce hay waste and make less of a mess.

I’m just wondering what’s a good hay net to get. I don’t want him to become frustrated if he has a hard time grabbing the hay through the holes. I was looking at Tough1, and I was also looking at Shires. They’re two different styles, and I don’t know which one is better.

I’m looking for something that can fit about one to two big flakes (around 5-10 pounds) of hay at a time and will be easy and less restrictive for him to pull hay through. Any recommendations would be really appreciated! Also, how high off the ground should they be to avoid entanglement?

https://www.chewy.com/tough-1-slow-feed-web-hay-horse/dp/1040894?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=20908059015&utm_content=179402227394&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20908059015&gbraid=0AAAAADmQ2V108UWI59JUomhygJqMBpo25&gclid=CjwKCAjwiezABhBZEiwAEbTPGMrVdp6zd5fb1fryr2dUFm4QVTybXbqU-i54y8Y4vDX4UUNp3egTdRoCZEcQAvD_BwE

https://www.smartpakequine.com/pt/shires-haynet-21144

[Demerara_Stables]

Is this hay that is fed late at night for him to munch on overnight or is this the hay he isn’t finishing from a meal before he gets turned out?

If it’s the former, I would choose a slow feeder or even build a hay feeder in the corner of the stall on the ground rather than a hay net. If the latter, I would feed him less hay. When my horses start wasting hay like this, I just put less out. I can understand if you want him to have something to nibble on if he is locked in for a significant amount of time, but if he’s just going to waste it then he probably doesn’t need that much.

If you are looking for a slow feeder, I really like this one: https://savvyhorseproducts.com/products/the-savvy-slow-hay-feeder. When you load new hay it goes underneath the old hay and it’s incredibly easy to load. It’s pricey but it’s worth it.

If you don’t necessarily want a slow feeder, another option is to put a few boards stacked on top of each other across a corner of the stall, essentially making a triangle with the boards and putting the hay in there. You can put it in a muck bucket that is attached to the wall. If you want to be able to pull it out. That will still allow the horse to eat on the ground, but it will be less likely for them to spread the hay all over the stall

[endlessclimb]

Does he have shoes on? If not, you can “hang” them pretty much on the ground.

[Simkie]

This shires net will take an entire small bale. I use these for most of my horses. The fatty gets smaller holes. It’s a hell of a lot easier to set up a bale at a time that’ll last a few days rather than have to load a net multiple times a day.

https://www.statelinetack.com/products/shires-deluxe-haylage-net

(The large one.)

I hang them so the bottom is just off the ground.

[HPFarmette]

My first hay hoop was from Hay Chix. They may have changed their name. It bolts to the wall and has a metal rectangular frame at the top that you unhook to fill the net. I also have the full bale nets that you just hang. The hoop doesn’t hold a full bale but is way easier to fill.

[FitToBeTied]

We use NibbleNets both outside and in the barn. They are very durable.

[anonevent]

My horses really like the hayplay bags. They are safe to leave on the ground (if you tie them a certain way), so horses who like to throw their hay around get the satisfaction of tossing the bag.

[Skip_s_Rider]

My daughter and I have the XL NibbleNets with the largest hole size. Like yours, my horse would make a mess with his hay, but I did not want to restrict his intake. I cut some of the hole web dividers so he could have two larger holes in addition to all of the 2" holes. The NibbleNets come in a variety of capacities and hole sizes. You could always try the largest size holes as is, see how it works, and go from there. The other nice thing about NibbleNets is they have D rings on the bottom of the bag, allowing you to secure the bottom in place - no flipping the hay bag.

[luvmyhackney]

I use these and they are fantastic. Going on 3 years with zero holes.

Smartpak sells the smaller version that holds 3-4 flakes and those are great for ponies.

[trubandloki]

@Demerara_Stables

but if he’s just going to waste it then he probably doesn’t need that much

Or, the horse is like was discussed in another thread recently - one that will pee/step/manure on their hay and then refuse to eat that horrible soiled hay and have a melt down about not having enough to eat. Some horses do not have an idealistic theory on things as we humans would like them to have.

My thoughts on hay nets - you have to figure out what you and your horse both like best and the answer is not always as obvious as we like it to be.

My fussiest horse prefers the smallest hole hay net. It is like she enjoys the challenge. I had been trying all kinds of options for feeding her hay with out her stall looking like your photo. My other horse had the tiniest hole hay net I could find. One day this fussy horse got access to this tiny hole hay net and gleefully stood there eating out of it like it was the best thing she ever encountered. She eats her hay so much better out of this thing, much less waste too. She is actually eating more hay now than when I used things that were less restrictive.

Many of my friends prefer the web type hay bags/nets. I find them frustrating to fill. You might be like my friends and prefer that style.

I have some friends who love the Hay Play bags/pillows. They just toss them in the stall.

In your situation I would start with one each of the two items you have linked in your original post and see which you and your horse like best.
It does not matter what anyone else thinks is best.

How high to hang it depends on your horse too. Does your horse have shoes? Does your horse paw at things? Chest height is what pony club recommends.

[Posting_Trot]

I have two of these from Smartpak and they’ve lasted more than 4 years. They’re used both in her stall (where it’s hung) and outside where it’s hung low to the ground (no shoes).

https://www.smartpakequine.com/pt/smartpak-slow-feed-hay-bag-13939

[SimonSays]

The smartpak ones are my favorites too. I use them in my stalls and in my trailer. They haven’t wrecked one yet! And everyone eats comfortably out of them. I don’t have any shod horses at my barn currently, but I still feel like these are a little safer than the rope nets.

[Spyder]

A hay bag inside an old, past its prime, water trough. With a heavy duty, not cheap, slow feeder bag. No waste. Picture from a FB group.