Those of us who learned pony care over 50 years ago will remember when feeding horses hay in a bag was frowned on by many. However, the different types of hay nets for horses on the market today carry veterinarian recommendation for specific uses. There are many reasons to use a forage net, as well as reasons why one kind of net may work better for you than another.
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.
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.
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 also make it easier to keep forage available almost all the time. Rather than throwing a horse a few flakes of hay once or twice a day, or stuffing a net which will run out in an hour or two of steady feeding, the hay can last through the night or until the next feeding. Since the horse must nibble rather than grab, consumption is slowed. Even though the animal has access to forage 24/7, it will not necessarily get more hay in a day.
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.
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.
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 also make it easier to keep forage available almost all the time. Rather than throwing a horse a few flakes of hay once or twice a day, or stuffing a net which will run out in an hour or two of steady feeding, the hay can last through the night or until the next feeding. Since the horse must nibble rather than grab, consumption is slowed. Even though the animal has access to forage 24/7, it will not necessarily get more hay in a day.
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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