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Pros And Cons Of Hay Nets For Horses

By Martha Barnes


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.

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.

The mesh covers cut down on the speed of consumption and the amount of hay wasted. If horses grab big mouthfuls, much will be dropped and trampled underfoot. Additional design features help owners control how forage is presented and how much will be consumed. One of the recent innovations is the slow-feeder bag.

Slow-feeder bags of all sizes give owners more control over how much forage will be consumed. With small openings of one to one-and-a-half inches, they cause the horse to nibble hay - in a way similar to grazing on pasture - rather than grab large mouthfuls. This means the horse will consume less in any given amount of time and will also have a more natural amount of forage in the stomach.

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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