Hay nets are designed to conveniently and safely extend the feeding time of horses while in the stall and on the paddock, as well as to minimize the amount of feed that would get dirty and trampled by animals when fed from the ground.
When used properly, you will find that the nets Piece of Hay they will serve you for a very long time. We have many customerswho have been using the nets for 4 years or longer.
In order for the net to last long and be safe for horses, the following conditions must be met:
- Hay nets/bags should be attached beyond the reach of the horse's hooves. This is important for the durability of the bag but, above all, for the safety of the animal;
- hanging nets on uneven, rough or sharp surfaces exposes the fabric and fastening elements to abrasion;
- watch out for tears when using forks to fill the nets with hay;
- if you are not using your hay net for a while, keep it in a place or container inaccessible to rodents;
- If you notice that the horse is biting or tearing the net, remove the net from the stall immediately. Nets and bags are made of the strongest materials available, but remember about the destructive power of horse teeth. Not every horse will be able to use hay nets. We recommend accustoming animals to this way of feeding to avoid frustration. Also choose the first net with a larger mesh. For less delicate animals, we recommend the thickest 5mm fabric nets;
- minor damage must be repaired immediately to prevent larger holes that could get your horse's legs entangled; if you don't repair the holes quickly, your horse may learn that intentionally chewing holes allows him to get to the hay more easily. Instructions on how to repair damage yourself can be found here HERE
- observe the behavior of your herd. Lack of feed or too few feeders may cause competition for food in the herd and thus expose the nets to faster wear. We recommend that there should always be one more feeder in the paddock than the number of horses using them.
- the nets should be cleaned of residues (dust, sand, mud, impurities) once a week. We also recommend washing hay nets regularly. Washing instructions are included HERE
- the fabric from which the nets are made is resistant to moisture and weather conditions, however, long-term exposure to high humidity may weaken the fabric (and expose horses to mold and fungi), therefore nets wetted during long-term rain should be dried before re-use.
- fasteners (velcro, zippers) should be cleaned of dust and hay residues. Otherwise, they quickly lose their properties. Do not unfasten zippers by "ripping them off", the zipper is used to unfasten them.
- Cushion nets are sold with lines attached to the corners. They reinforce the mesh at the corners. If they are lost or worn, they must be replaced with new ones. The mounting method is shown in the photos:
- Hay bales packed in nets should be placed on a layer of insulation so that the bale does not have direct contact with the ground.
- we recommend using feeders or fences or other types of fences to prevent animals from digging or trampling on the hay net.
Materials
Hay nets Piece of Hay they are made of strong polypropylene fabric with high tear resistance. They are produced in Poland. They were dyed using dyes that do not dilute upon contact with water or saliva, have no odor and do not cause allergies, so they are a completely safe way of feeding animals. The fabric is resistant to weather conditions, moisture and UV radiation.
Why will some nets become stiff with use?
The fabric from which the nets are made may lose its softness if it has been washed in chlorinated water.
Long-term contact with soil or mud may damage fabric fibers - wash your nets at least once a year to keep them soft.
Sometimes the nets can become stiff due to the hay you feed the horses. If the hay is heavily fertilized or has a high sugar content, it may affect the pH of the horse's saliva. This can affect the softness of the fibers as much as washing in chlorinated water. We recommend feeding horses soft hay of good quality from a reliable source.
Security
Hay nets are usually a very safe way to feed horses. However, it is worth taking a look at a few issues and, as always, follow the rules of common sense.
Hay nets can cause erosion of the incisors or gums of some horses. Repeatedly pulling and tugging on the rope - especially if it is made of synthetic material - can damage your teeth. That's why in our store we sell nets with a mesh size of at least 4 cm. This mesh size allows the horse to pluck hay with its lips without exposing its teeth to abrasion. Many horses use nets for years without any damage to their teeth. Correct use (choosing a mesh with a larger mesh) helps prevent tooth damage. If in doubt, ask your vet at your next dental correction.
If a horse gets its shoe caught in a hay net, it can become tangled or have the shoe torn off - sometimes along with part of its hoof - when it breaks free. If your horse wears horseshoes, you should place the net high enough that the horse cannot touch it with its hooves, or place it behind a barrier that prevents it from reaching the net with its hooves. It is usually recommended to hang the net at the height of the withers, but not lower than the height of the chest.
Hay nets hung very high above the head can shower your horse with dust and pieces of hay, causing irritation or allergic reactions. Prolonged use of high-hanging nets may also cause strain or soreness, as horses are designed to be fed primarily from ground level. The best way to avoid both of these situations is to mount the nets as low as possible, being careful with the horseshoes.
Another immediate safety hazard from hay nets is entanglement. Most hay nets are closed with string. Make sure that once the net is full, the excess rope from the string is either out of the horse's reach or tied and tucked away.
