Over time, hay nets have grown substantially more popular as horse owners and caretakers began to take note of the various benefits they can provide. Modern hay nets are designed to promote healthy eating habits, cure boredom, prevent molding in the hay, and more. Here is a breakdown of everything you need to know about hay nets, and how they can benefit both you and your horse.

What Are Hay Nets?

A net is a netted bag, usually made from polyester or nylon, that is designed to hang on the wall inside your horse’s stall or on the side of a fence and hold hay up off of the ground. Some types of hay nets are designed to enclose large hay bales and can be placed in a paddock or pasture to allow safe and slow feeding outdoors. Traditional models are simple netted bags that allow the horse to pick through the netting in order to eat. You can choose between slow feeder hay nets, which generally have an opening of about 1”, or you can choose hay nets with larger openings of about 2-2.5”; the size of the opening that you choose is completely up to you and what you feel may work best for your horse.

Benefits Of Hay Nets

Hay nets have proven themselves to be extremely instrumental. Below are some of the benefits commonly associated with the use of hay nets:

  • Assurance that the horse is not eating too fast
  • Preventative step against colic and other gastrointestinal issues caused by overeating or eating too fast
  • Ensures that more hay ends up in the horse’s stomach rather than on the floor
  • Prevents hay from being wasted or soiled on the ground
  • Slow feeder hay nets closely mimic natural grazing
  • Provides a source of entertainment to prevent boredom, especially in the stall
  • Prevents horses from shaking hay around, which releases dust that may be an irritant to the respiratory system.

Large Round Bale Hay Nets

In addition to the smaller models that are designed to house 3-4 flakes of hay and hang from a wall or fence, there are hay nets that are designed to enclose large round bales of hay that are most commonly used as communal feeding sources in paddocks or pastures. These massive nets provide all of the benefits that come along with the use of hay nets while simultaneously allowing you to safely and economically feed multiple horses at once.

To take a moment to browse our massive inventory, including the various different types of hay nets mentioned above, click here. Here at Tornado Tack, we are dedicated to providing you and your horse with the materials and supplies you need to keep your equine friend happy, healthy, and looking great. Questions about our products? Feel free to contact us; our team of experts will be happy to assist you in finding the products that work best for both you and your horse.