Love them or hate them, hay nets and bags are an integral piece of equipment for horse owners. They make handling hay a bit easier, and they can slow your horse down while it’s eating. But what features should you look out for in a hay bag, and what are the best hay nets for horses? Find out everything you need to know about choosing the best hay bags for horses in our helpful guide.
Hay nets and hay bags make feeding your horse a bit more convenient. And as well as this, they’ll save on wastage and keep your horse more entertained in their stable. The main thing to remember when it comes to choosing the best hay bags for horses is to choose a high quality, durable one. And even the best hay nets for horses can become a hazard in the stable, so you must hang them correctly.What are Hay Nets?
As the name suggests, hay nets are large nets that hold hay. And they’re usually made with durable nylon twine. The holes of the netting come in various sizes ranging from one to three inches wide.
A hay net will slow your horse down when it’s eating. And overall, it’s better for a horse's digestive system if they eat slowly. Additionally, if your horse eats slower, it’s less likely to get bored in its stable.
Hay nets are also a great way to keep hay off a dirty or dusty floor. And in sandy areas, this can reduce the chances of your horse getting sand colic. Overall, hay nets are better than metal hay racks for your horse's teeth. And you can get hay nets for large bales too.
Hay nets usually hold more hay than bags. Some hay nets can hold a whole bale of hay, but even large hay bags can only contain a few slices at a time.
When Would You Use One?
Some horses will inevitably trample on their hay while they eat it off the floor, so this can lead to lots of wastage. So, when you lift the hay off the floor with a hay net, you’ll reduce wastage. You can also use a hay net outside, in the paddock, to keep hay off a muddy floor.
It’s also a good idea to use a hay net if your horse gobbles its hay too quickly. Because a hay net will slow them down while they’re eating. And the best and most convenient way to weigh or soak hay is in a hay net.
What Are Hay Bags?
Hay bags are pretty similar to hay nets except they’re more contained, like a bag rather than a net. And often, they have bag straps too, so you can transport hay easily with minimum spillage.
Hay bags are usually made from Nylon or often you’ll find canvas hay bags. And they’ll either have a hole in the middle, tote style, or netting or webbing on the sides. This is where your horse can access the hay.
When Would You Use One?
You can use a hay bag for the same reasons you would use a hay net. However, you might want to choose a hay bag if you're worried about your horse getting tangled in a hay net. As well as this, some people find hay nets difficult to fill so they prefer to use a hay bag because it’s easier to use.
And if you like a super tidy barn, you might prefer using a hay bag, because these leave less mess when you’re moving the hay around.
Three of The Best Hay Nets on the Marketplace
If you’re looking for a hay net for your horse, take a look at our recommendations for the best ones below.
1. Teke General Slow Hay Feeder
This is a durable, general-purpose hay net from Teke. It’s a large net that has two-inch-wide feeder holes that provide medium to slow feeding for your horse. This is a classic hay net that you can easily hang up anywhere. And it’s available in six colors.
Tough1 is a reputable equine brand and they produce high quality, hay nets at a budget price. These nets are made with “challenger poly hay cord”. Which is super durable and will stand up to even the greediest horses. And they feature 2-inch wide feeding holes. Which allow your horse easy access to the hay while at the same time, it prevents wastage.
This is a classic hay net from Weaver Leather and you can use it anywhere, from in the stalls to on the trailer. This is a large net that can hold nearly a whole bale of standard hay and it comes in several different colors. And the 2-inch feeding holes will be sure to slow your horse down while it’s eating.
Three of The Best Hay Bags on the Marketplace
If you don’t find hay nets appealing, take a look at these best selling hay bags instead.
1. Weaver Leather Hay Bag
This is a front hole feeder hay bag from Weaver Leather and it comes in six vibrant colors. It’s made from a durable Cordura material and it has a mesh bottom and sides for extra breathability. This bag is easy to fill and fasten, with a quick snap closure. And it has a D ring on the back for easy mounting.
This “teeth proof” hay bag from Tough1 is made from durable, heavy denier nylon and it’s available in three different prints. This is a tote style bag with a large hole at the front for your horse to feed from. And it has adjustable hand straps so you can carry it with ease. This bag is easy to fill and close, and to hang up in your horse's stall.
If you’re looking for a high-quality hay bag, this one from Derby Originals is top of the range. It has a patented design that allows your horse to access the hay from four sides of the bag. Yet the holes are small enough to slow your horse down and stop wastage. This bag is easy to fill and comes with a one-year warranty and it’s available in six different colors.
What’s the Best Hay Net or Bag for a Trailer?
It’s always a good idea to have some hay for your horse in the trailer during transport. This will keep your horse distracted and help them to stay calm throughout the journey.
Generally, there’s not enough room for horses to eat hay off the floor in a trailer, so it’s better to give it to them in a hay net or hay bag. The best hay nets and hay bags for a trailer are small ones. This is because they take up less space. Thus, they’re less of a hazard.
So for traveling your horse, we recommend this Travel Hay Net from Tehaux. It's small, convenient size is perfect for your horse trailer. It will hold enough hay to keep your horse entertained along the journey, yet it’s small enough to stay safely up out of the way of your horse's legs.
What’s The Best Hay Net for a Greedy Horse?
A hay net for a greedy horse needs to be durable. Because greedy horses will often become aggressive around their food. And they might be especially aggressive towards the hay net if this is slowing them down.
So as well as choosing a hay net with small holes for a greedy horse, choose one that’s durable too. Such as this supreme Nylon Slow Feeder from Derby Originals. It's made from heavy-duty nylon and it has a reinforced bottom to withstand the attacks from the greediest horses. With this bag, horses can access hay from all sides, yet the holes are small enough to slow them down while they’re eating.
Best Hay Net to Make Your Horse Eat Slower
If your horse eats its food too quickly, chances are it will get bored in its stable pretty quickly. So if your horse eats quickly, it’s better if you feed them from a hay net that slows them down. The best hay nets to make your horse eat slower will have small holes, between one and one and a half inches wide.
This Greedy Feeder Hay Net from Shires has the smallest feeding holes on the market. At just 1.25 inches wide, they’ll slow down the fastest eaters and keep them entertained in the stall for longer. This is a high-quality hay net that comes in three different sizes and colors.
Are Hay Nets Good for Horses?
When you use any equipment that’s not part of your horse's natural environment, there’s always an element of risk involved. And there are some risks you need to be aware of when you’re using hay nets or hay bags with horses.
The most important thing is that you mustn’t hang the hay net or bag too low. If you do, there’s a chance your horse might become tangled in it. This risk increases further if your horse wears shoes. So never leave a hay net trailing on the floor.
Next, there’s an ongoing debate among the horse community about whether it’s good for horses to eat with their necks raised. This is because, in the wild, horses eat with their heads and necks down. However, as long as your horse's neck isn’t strained and they don’t have to stand in an awkward position to eat the hay, it’s usually fine for them to eat in this position.
Conclusion
Hay nets and hay bags make feeding your horse hay a bit more convenient. And as well as this, they’ll save on wastage and keep your horse more entertained in their stable. The main thing to remember when it comes to choosing the best hay bags for horses is to choose a high quality, durable one. And even the best hay nets for horses can become a hazard in the stable, so you must hang them correctly.
