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 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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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 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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