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Pros And Cons Of Hay Nets For Horses

By Martha Barnes


Using a hay net was frowned on by equine authorities at one time. However, they are pretty much standard equipment today, when many uses have been found for them. Veterinarians recommend them, in fact, for specific reasons. Different types of hay nets for horses give owners a wide choice for their barn management needs.

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.

Everyone had to use a net sometimes. If a horse was tied, it was safer to feed it hay in a net. The tie rope could be short to prevent the animal getting a leg over the tie. In a trailer, the horse could have access to forage during the trip.

Today there are many designs and sizes of hay net. Sizes range from mini - holding approximately one flake - to extra large which can wrap an entire three-wire bale. People even use mesh covers for round bales designed to feed a herd of animals in paddocks or fields.

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.

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.

The smaller openings cut down on consumption. New designs that allow horses to feed from a bag clipped close to the ground mean that owners can limit the feed an animal gets at any given time. Many owners use slow-feeder bags in stalls, where it would be easy to simply throw the hay on the ground. Less is eaten even if the animal has forage in front of it 24/7.

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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