Sunday, 27 December 2015

Some Pros And Cons Of Hay Nets For Horses

By Martha Barnes


Using a hay net was frowned on by equine authorities at one time. However, they are pretty much standard equipment today, when many uses have been found for them. Veterinarians recommend them, in fact, for specific reasons. Different types of hay nets for horses give owners a wide choice for their barn management needs.

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.

Everyone had to use a net sometimes. If a horse was tied, it was safer to feed it hay in a net. The tie rope could be short to prevent the animal getting a leg over the tie. In a trailer, the horse could have access to forage during the trip.

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.

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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