The Pros And Cons Of Hay Nets For Horses
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.
Originally the only kind of net available had a drawstring top, with long cords that pulled the top tightly closed. The cords were then used to tie the net up high. The openings in the net allowed the animal to pull one mouthful of hay out at a time. Many horse owners felt that feeding at eye level was unnatural and also might cause the horse to breathe in more dust. They preferred to put hay on the ground.
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.
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.
'Slow-feeder' nets are a relatively new design which horse people have enthusiastically welcomed. These bags have opening of only one to one-and-a-half inches. The horse is forced to nibble rather than grab, which makes the amount of forage that hits the stomach at one time similar to grazing. Greedy animals are kept from massively over-indulging, making it easier for owners to control their weight gain.
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.
This steady feeding is more natural and satisfying to a horse. Veterinarians say it cuts down on the incidence of ulcers and other digestive upsets. Some people hang several nets in a stall or a paddock, so the horse will move around in a natural way. Some nets are designed to be hung low on a fence or in a stall, allowing the horse to feed with its head down. Check out online product descriptions and endorsements to learn more.
Originally the only kind of net available had a drawstring top, with long cords that pulled the top tightly closed. The cords were then used to tie the net up high. The openings in the net allowed the animal to pull one mouthful of hay out at a time. Many horse owners felt that feeding at eye level was unnatural and also might cause the horse to breathe in more dust. They preferred to put hay on the ground.
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.
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.
'Slow-feeder' nets are a relatively new design which horse people have enthusiastically welcomed. These bags have opening of only one to one-and-a-half inches. The horse is forced to nibble rather than grab, which makes the amount of forage that hits the stomach at one time similar to grazing. Greedy animals are kept from massively over-indulging, making it easier for owners to control their weight gain.
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.
This steady feeding is more natural and satisfying to a horse. Veterinarians say it cuts down on the incidence of ulcers and other digestive upsets. Some people hang several nets in a stall or a paddock, so the horse will move around in a natural way. Some nets are designed to be hung low on a fence or in a stall, allowing the horse to feed with its head down. Check out online product descriptions and endorsements to learn more.
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