The Pros And Cons Of Hay Nets For Horses
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 original design was a simple mesh drawstring bag. Hay was stuffed in and the top was drawn shut by long cords. These cords were used to hang the bag up high, where the horse could reach the forage but there was no fear of tangling the feet in the mesh. Those who disliked them said feeding up off the ground was unnatural and that it let dust clog the eyes and nostrils.
The net came in handy when moving animals by trailer. Forage could be provided during the trip and also at the destination, if the horse was tied to the trailer. If a horse had to be tied for any reason, putting forage in a net meant that the tie rope could be kept short to prevent the animal from getting a leg tangled.
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.
When horses eat through netting, they must slow down and eat one mouthful at a time. This cuts down on forage costs, since a horse will eat more than it needs if given the chance. It also cuts waste dramatically. Horses grab big mouthfuls and drop what they can't chew, which they then heedlessly trample underfoot. Netting a round bale is estimated to cut loss by as much as 80%.
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 good. The horse evolved as a grazer, constantly getting feed in small amounts. Feeding hay once or twice a day means the animal may gobble the hay and then spend a long time with nothing to eat. Veterinarians say this is not healthy. Using a net can cut down on incidences of colic and ulcers. To choose the right net for the job, check online; you can learn a lot from product descriptions, testimonials, and endorsements.
The original design was a simple mesh drawstring bag. Hay was stuffed in and the top was drawn shut by long cords. These cords were used to hang the bag up high, where the horse could reach the forage but there was no fear of tangling the feet in the mesh. Those who disliked them said feeding up off the ground was unnatural and that it let dust clog the eyes and nostrils.
The net came in handy when moving animals by trailer. Forage could be provided during the trip and also at the destination, if the horse was tied to the trailer. If a horse had to be tied for any reason, putting forage in a net meant that the tie rope could be kept short to prevent the animal from getting a leg tangled.
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.
When horses eat through netting, they must slow down and eat one mouthful at a time. This cuts down on forage costs, since a horse will eat more than it needs if given the chance. It also cuts waste dramatically. Horses grab big mouthfuls and drop what they can't chew, which they then heedlessly trample underfoot. Netting a round bale is estimated to cut loss by as much as 80%.
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 good. The horse evolved as a grazer, constantly getting feed in small amounts. Feeding hay once or twice a day means the animal may gobble the hay and then spend a long time with nothing to eat. Veterinarians say this is not healthy. Using a net can cut down on incidences of colic and ulcers. To choose the right net for the job, check online; you can learn a lot from product descriptions, testimonials, and endorsements.
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