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.
The first net was a simple mesh bag with openings that allowed the horse to grab a mouthful of forage and pull it out. Several flakes were put into the open top, which was then drawn shut by the long cords that were used to tie the bag up high. Owners could put in entire flakes or fluff the forage up and put it in loose.
However, there were scenarios when a net was useful. If a horse was tied in a stall, the tie rope would be dangerously long if the animal had to feed off the ground. Hanging forage in a bag kept the rope short and safer. When moving animals in a trailer, using a net provided forage during the trip - and at the destination if horses were tied to the trailer.
This initial design has been improved on. Manufacturers offer a lot of choice in size of the bag. There are mini bags, which hold about one flake of hay, half- and full-bale nets, and extra long ones that can hold a 3-wire bale. There are even mesh covers for big round bales.
Using a mesh cover for forage cuts down on the amount a horse will eat. It also cuts waste dramatically. If horses grab large mouthfuls, they will drop a lot of hay, which is then trampled into the dirt and mud. Some statistics say that round bale waste is cut by over 80% if a net is used.
'Slow-feeder' nets are a relatively new design which horse people have enthusiastically welcomed. These bags have opening of only one to one-and-a-half inches. The horse is forced to nibble rather than grab, which makes the amount of forage that hits the stomach at one time similar to grazing. Greedy animals are kept from massively over-indulging, making it easier for owners to control their weight gain.
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.
Having forage always available is the natural way to feed horses. Veterinarians have found that this practice cuts down on digestive upsets like colic and ulcers, both life-threatening to a horse. People also can hang some nets low to the ground in paddock or stall, so the horse is eating in a natural position. Having several nets around an enclosure lets the animal move around while feeding. Go online for more information you'll find in product descriptions and endorsements.
The first net was a simple mesh bag with openings that allowed the horse to grab a mouthful of forage and pull it out. Several flakes were put into the open top, which was then drawn shut by the long cords that were used to tie the bag up high. Owners could put in entire flakes or fluff the forage up and put it in loose.
However, there were scenarios when a net was useful. If a horse was tied in a stall, the tie rope would be dangerously long if the animal had to feed off the ground. Hanging forage in a bag kept the rope short and safer. When moving animals in a trailer, using a net provided forage during the trip - and at the destination if horses were tied to the trailer.
This initial design has been improved on. Manufacturers offer a lot of choice in size of the bag. There are mini bags, which hold about one flake of hay, half- and full-bale nets, and extra long ones that can hold a 3-wire bale. There are even mesh covers for big round bales.
Using a mesh cover for forage cuts down on the amount a horse will eat. It also cuts waste dramatically. If horses grab large mouthfuls, they will drop a lot of hay, which is then trampled into the dirt and mud. Some statistics say that round bale waste is cut by over 80% if a net is used.
'Slow-feeder' nets are a relatively new design which horse people have enthusiastically welcomed. These bags have opening of only one to one-and-a-half inches. The horse is forced to nibble rather than grab, which makes the amount of forage that hits the stomach at one time similar to grazing. Greedy animals are kept from massively over-indulging, making it easier for owners to control their weight gain.
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.
Having forage always available is the natural way to feed horses. Veterinarians have found that this practice cuts down on digestive upsets like colic and ulcers, both life-threatening to a horse. People also can hang some nets low to the ground in paddock or stall, so the horse is eating in a natural position. Having several nets around an enclosure lets the animal move around while feeding. Go online for more information you'll find in product descriptions and endorsements.
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