Kerbl Kincade Kitchy & Co KM Elite KONG Le Chameau LeMieux Leovet Lighthouse Likits Lincoln Living Nature Shires hay nets are a popular choice among horse owners for many reasons. These hay nets are designed specifically for horses and are made with high-quality materials to ensure durability and longevity. Larger hay nets are available that can hold an entire square bale or even a round bale, allowing you to get the benefits of hay net use without the need to fill a net once a day or more. When multiple horses need hay, these large nets can really save you time and money in forage.

You can use hay nets anywhere that you want to give your horse forage. The location of the net affects what type you should buy.

Small-Holed Hay Nets

Tying up a net works well, but can be inefficient if you have many horses. Working with the knots is challenging in cold weather. And full hay nets can be unwieldy and hard to handle. Elico Hotline Electric Fencing LeMieux Lincoln Perry Equestrian PolyJumps Red Gorilla Shires Equestrian Stubbs Unbranded All Brands This 3/4″ mesh size helps slow the rate of feeding and can be especially good for fine-textured hays. Where to Buy a Hay Net Once you know what net you need, it’s time to buy! You can source hay nets online, buy in person from a store, or get a used one. Each option has pros and cons. Buying a Hay Net Online

The standard hay net has a mesh opening size of about 2 inches/5cm. This is a good middle-of-the road size, especially for horses who need a bit less restriction on the amount of hay they eat. If your horse is a slow eater, this might be the perfect size. Continue moving down a size every few weeks until the hay lasts the correct amount of time. Remember that most horses need 1.5% to 2.5% of their body weight in forage each day. Weigh the day’s hay ration, and use a hay net that makes the hay last all day. Your goal is constant access to forage. Bridles Accessories Bits Browbands Hi Viz Nosebands Martingales & Breastplates Girths Reins Spurs & Stirrups Saddles Saddle Covers Leathers Training Aids Leather Care Champion-Outdoor Charles Owen Chatham Cotswold Raw Crafty Ponies Crew Clothing Elico Equilibrium Equestrian Equine America Firefoot Foran Gallop Why-to-buy review: “These feeder bags have been the best bags with very little waste and horses take their time eating instead of rushing! Had mine for over 1.5 years and they have no rips.”

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Part of hay net success can involve teaching your horse to use a small-hole net by gradually using nets with smaller holes. Go with a less expensive hay net for “training” purposes. When your horse is comfortable with their final hole size, it’s a good idea to invest in a high quality net.

Synthetic rope hay nets do gradually break down when exposed to sunlight. When this happens, the hay net becomes less durable and may develop holes. They’re still the best choice for horses who need a very sturdy hay net, or for use in wet areas. What Size Hay Net Does My Horse Need? Filling up your horse’s hay net can be the least fun part of the process. Hay wants to go everywhere and nets always seem to collapse on themselves at the least convenient time. Filling nets for multiple horses in a stable can be a hassle, another reason to consider whole-bale nets.This horse is correctly using the hay net by grasping blades of hay and pulling instead of biting or scraping at the net with the teeth. Digestion Immunity Treats Hooves Joints Vitality Performance Breathing Skin Veteran Support More Supplements Use a larger size opening (3 or even 4 inches) if your horse needs easy hay access. These hay nets are best if you want to avoid hay waste but need your horse to get plenty of hay. They will empty out faster than other nets. Designed to provide a natural way for your horses to feed, slowing down their hay intake and prevent hay waste. Slowing down consumption aids in digestion and improves overall health. Great for trailering or the stall. Another benefit of Shires hay nets is that they are made with durable materials. These hay nets are constructed from strong nylon mesh or polypropylene, which are designed to withstand the wear and tear of daily use. They are also resistant to fraying and tearing, which means they will last longer than other types of hay nets.

Furthermore, using hay nets like Shires can also help to reduce hay wastage. It allows for hay to be fed in smaller portions, preventing horses from over-eating and leaving hay on the ground. This not only saves on hay costs but also helps to keep the barn cleaner and reduce the risk of mold and bacteria growth. If horse hooks a shoe into a hay net, they can become entangled or tear away the shoe – sometimes with part of the hoof – as they free themselves. If your horse wears shoes, you should place the net high enough that they can’t touch it with their hooves. The recommendation is usually to hang the net at or above wither height. Benefits of hay nets for horses are better physical and mental health. Hay nets for horses are a form of equine enrichment because they encourage natural feeding behaviors. They give your horse the opportunity to graze. Keeping food available to horses at all times is an important part of good horse welfare, and reduces stress and food anxiety. The biggest difference is going to be the quantity of hay that the net or bag can hold. Hay nets often can hold more hay than a hay bag can — the difference being as much as a square bale to a full round bale in a net vs. only a few flakes of hay in a bag. You can tie or clip a hay net to any sturdy location in the stall or pasture. Wooden walls, fence posts, and trees are all good options.

Quality Shires Hay Nets

We didn’t always have great solutions for round bales, but this is an answer to that problem. These large five-sided cubes are generous in size and include a draw cord closure. All sizes are most often equal in measurements on all sides, but could vary slightly. If your horse is new to hay nets, or you’re re-teaching a horse with bad haynet behavior, use the large-hole net for a few days. Observe your horse as they eat and see how they respond to the net. After a few days, they’ll probably be ready for a smaller size. Why-to-buy review: “Love it! Easy to pull the net over the hale and eliminates waste. Horses get to eat anytime they want but must eat daintily due to 2” holes so they do not overeat. Best feature — I don’t have to distribute hay twice daily, best time saver.” Natural rope hay nets for horses are usually made from cotton. They have the advantage of being softer on equine teeth. Cotton hay nets are also a good choice if you’re looking to reduce your impact on the environment by using less plastic.