I feed rounds in the winter and just recently got a Hay Chix 1.75” opening round bale net. Both horses aren’t touching it, even though it is winter and there is no other food. I have a senior horse and one with heaves. I need to do rounds so my senior mare gets all the food she needs.
Has anyone had this issue or is there a brand that is better for getting picky horses to eat off of it?
Is it the net that is the problem? Or the hay? If it’s the net, can you not just take it off? If it’s the hay… that’s a different problem.
I had a similar thought of the above poster, are you sure it is the net? Could it just be a bad bale?
Can you open it some where you pull the toggle to close the hole and see if they are willing to eat it with out the net?
Are they used to using nets in other situations?
There is a learning curve for some horses. If the bale is good, try pulling some hay out thru some of the holes for them.
Pull wads of hay up through the net to get them started. The more the better.
I’d say it’s the net. The hay is the same as I’ve been feeding them. I could take the net off, but I mostly got it to help my gelding with heaves. He loves to stick his face right into the bale.
Take the net off to confirm it’s not the hay. Then look for a net with a larger hole. That’s fairly small for full sized horses and if they get too frustrated they just won’t try
Agree with @stargzng386 --last year I resolved to “net every bale” I fed and kept careful records (DH is a CPA and loves detailed records of anything!). After three months, I found I saved 1/3 of hay (yeah) but after six months, I realized my old guy was losing weight (winter hair and daily viewing hid it from me, my farrier pointed it out). Turned out my old guy can’t eat enough with hay nets. He must be fed on the ground where he can spread out the hay and eat. Quidding is likely an issue --but manageable with old guy having free choice on the ground. His weight is back to normal, now.
So, try bigger holes. My solution was different pastures. Two of the horses who do well with haynets (Hay Chix 1.4" inch) have individual pastures with their haynets hung in sheds (each has 3, last a week). The other two elderly gentlemen have hay on the ground. I’m still saving hay, and less labor, but I HATE throwing hay on the ground!!
HayChix makes a large stock round bale net (6 ft size) w/ 2.5" holes. I use it on 1st cut rounds. My TB herd has no problem w/it. I do usually use the “original” sized net on 2nd and 3rd cut rounds.
Assuming the hay is good and the horses need bigger holes, don’t toss and buy another net. Cut a few strands here and there on current net and you’ll make the “holes” bigger. I got a young horse and he seemed confused with a slow feed stall net. I pulled some through the 2" holes and he ate, but gave up when he had to work at it. So I figured might as well cut through some of the net and see what happens. Voila, he figured it out and now eats from it. I found it’s cheaper to buy standard small hole nets on sale and cut the openings bigger. Haven’t seen any 3-4" nylon nets…
I actually just bought a couple 3" full bale nets from Hayburners Equine. Below are the “single serve” nets.
Ok - I’ll look into some bigger holes. As I was searching, it looked like 1.75 was the “biggest” recommended for horses. I’m super happy to try something with larger holes if it’s ok for horses to use. I’ll see what I can find! Thank you!
Oh man, I’ve got an old one that’s probably got 12" openings on it. Hang it at the right height or have something around the bale to discourage them stepping on it, and you’ll be fine.
Interesting, I’ve never heard that before. I mean, if you’re trying to slow them down, sure, but otherwise, that’s a weird recommendation.
My net round bale net has 2.5" holes
I also have the HayChix with the “livestock” size holes 2 1/2". Works great. I use the big 6’ nets for my round bales.
You are correct that they only list 1.75" as the biggest for horses, but just get the livestock one. I’m not sure why they listed / described that one separately. It’s the same thing - just bigger holes.
If a horse has NEVER eaten from a net before, they usually just have to figure it out. I feed round bales as well and have used the HayChix nets for the past 5 years. Love it. My two geldings get fat on air so it’s good to slow them down. My mares wouldn’t need the net but I just choose to give them a little extra grain/supplements every day and they keep their weight up nicely. (And one of my mares has heaves too.)
Have you reached out to them for any suggestions? This is from their FAQs, but they might have additional tips/tricks. They usually have good customer service (about some things).
If your horses haven’t ever eaten from nets (like at all), maybe buy some basic/cheap small haynets with large holes and give them portions in that as well to get them used to their new reality of having to work for their food. 
Have they ever eaten from regular hay nets (like what you’d hang in the trailer for traveling)?
I’d also agree with @Djones , I usually “start” the bale by pulling some partially through the holes for them
1.75" is pretty wide unless the horses are old or have dental issues. Mine eat out of holes that big without slowing down at all.
That’s what the horses at my barn who aren’t on weighed hay have and the 1.75” hardly slow them down much, if at all too.
I find a big difference between those and the smaller holed slow feed nets.
lol! That’s a great picture 
By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. You may also receive promotional emails from The Chronicle of the Horse. You can opt out at any time.
For Customers
Company
Terms of Use
