Slow-Feeder Hay Nets
Your horses will be much happier and healthier with a slow-feeder hay net
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A horse's stomach is small with only a 8-15 litre capacity. Digestion is very quick and should ideally consist of small regular meals (grazing herbivores). Hay Nets are designed to mimic natural grazing. In addition, horses produce up to 30 litres of saliva a day, only when they are chewing. The saliva buffers the stomach's gastric acid and lubricates their food. Gastric acid is produced continuously even when they are not chewing! The gastric acid, if not buffered by saliva, is one of the causes of ulcers, cribbing, colic and many other health symptoms. Equines (herbivores) & ruminants are grazers, so using slow feeders will help alleviate these health conditions and other related problems that have been associated with limited feedings. |
Reasons to Use a Slow-Feeder Net
- Stops hay wastage from trampling in mud, manure, urine, being blown away etc and can help reduce any potential of wastage when used in conjunction with a Hay Hut.
- Slows down consumption so the hay last 2-3 times longer and replicates grazing
- Small net holes means you can fasten the net low (provided your horse is barefoot or the net is inside a container) for a natural grazing position, and can reduce the incidence of choke
- A full bale or round bale net gives your horse hay 24/7, saving you time on re-fills and keeps your horse calmer and happier
- Hay in the gut 24/7 avoids gut ulcers and colic incidents
- Reduces boredom and great for the laminitic/ IR Horses
- Older horses find it easier to chew small amounts of hay taken from the net
- Avoid eye injuries from horses putting their heads inside a round bale, or from tossing loose hay about
Specifications
Specifications:
These tough nets are made to last from Durable, Pre-Stretched, UV Stabilised, High Density Polyethylene netting with a sturdy drawstring.
The holes are large enough for the horse to get the hay through with less waste (4cm & 6 cm square netting) – making it last longer than when fed loose. These nets can be used at ground level however if your horse is shod enclose the net in your hay hut, cattle feeder or a bin) or hanging.
Warning:
The 6cm hole nets are not suitable for small mini ponies/donkeys or foals as their hooves may be small enough to fit through the holes.
These tough nets are made to last from Durable, Pre-Stretched, UV Stabilised, High Density Polyethylene netting with a sturdy drawstring.
The holes are large enough for the horse to get the hay through with less waste (4cm & 6 cm square netting) – making it last longer than when fed loose. These nets can be used at ground level however if your horse is shod enclose the net in your hay hut, cattle feeder or a bin) or hanging.
Warning:
The 6cm hole nets are not suitable for small mini ponies/donkeys or foals as their hooves may be small enough to fit through the holes.
Salt & Mineral Block-Lick Nets
Tips for Using Your Slow-Feeder Net & Tips for Prolonging the Life of Your Net
1. If your horse is shod or has splits in their hooves, it's essential to tie the net inside a bin/box so it can't catch on a shoe/torn hoof if they paw at it.
2. If the net tears (due to catching on something for instance) it can be temporarily mended with some baling twine, then email us to order a repair kit.
3. When tying the drawstring, ensure that it is tied tightly with no large loops that a hoof can get caught in. Tie your net away from sharp or protruding objects to reduce wear and tear. Tie the excess loose netting from a round bale net up tight so the hay remains easily accessed as the bale is eaten down.
4. It's also easy to soak hay in the small nets - simply hang up to drain after soaking for a couple of hours (removes harmful sugars/dust). Soaked hay should be immediately in warm to hot climates so there isn't time for mold to develop - we recommend only soaking a small net of hay at a time for one horse/pony.
5. Help your horses get used to them by putting half their ration in the net to start with and give the rest loose so they are not super hungry while they're working it out (which doesn't take long!).
6. Keep it filled 24/7 - It will only take a few days for them to get used to ‘grazing’ their hay instead of gorging.
7. Fill small bale net by standing the bale up and pulling the net down over it while the strings are still attached, you can put one on each end of the bale then cut the strings in the middle. For a round bale ensure strings are cut prior to slipping the net over the top.
8. By securing the net inside a box or a large truck tyre, you eliminate the pawing that can possibly wreck the net and it stops mud and manure ruining the hay.
9. Keep the net low to the ground so the feeding position is natural and the horse's teeth are not worn abnormally (as when fed up high).
10. Use a clip to fasten the net in place - much faster than tying and un-tying it.
11. Spread the horse's ration (approx. 1.5-2% of their bodyweight) between several nets that are placed in various parts of the paddock or on the track to encourage movement otherwise they stand around all day eating!
12. Have the water as far from the hay as possible (unless they are ill) to encourage movement.
11. Use your net to soak hay in - it keeps it together nicely and if you have a pulley above (wet hay is quite heavy), you can hang it up to drain.
2. If the net tears (due to catching on something for instance) it can be temporarily mended with some baling twine, then email us to order a repair kit.
3. When tying the drawstring, ensure that it is tied tightly with no large loops that a hoof can get caught in. Tie your net away from sharp or protruding objects to reduce wear and tear. Tie the excess loose netting from a round bale net up tight so the hay remains easily accessed as the bale is eaten down.
4. It's also easy to soak hay in the small nets - simply hang up to drain after soaking for a couple of hours (removes harmful sugars/dust). Soaked hay should be immediately in warm to hot climates so there isn't time for mold to develop - we recommend only soaking a small net of hay at a time for one horse/pony.
5. Help your horses get used to them by putting half their ration in the net to start with and give the rest loose so they are not super hungry while they're working it out (which doesn't take long!).
6. Keep it filled 24/7 - It will only take a few days for them to get used to ‘grazing’ their hay instead of gorging.
7. Fill small bale net by standing the bale up and pulling the net down over it while the strings are still attached, you can put one on each end of the bale then cut the strings in the middle. For a round bale ensure strings are cut prior to slipping the net over the top.
8. By securing the net inside a box or a large truck tyre, you eliminate the pawing that can possibly wreck the net and it stops mud and manure ruining the hay.
9. Keep the net low to the ground so the feeding position is natural and the horse's teeth are not worn abnormally (as when fed up high).
10. Use a clip to fasten the net in place - much faster than tying and un-tying it.
11. Spread the horse's ration (approx. 1.5-2% of their bodyweight) between several nets that are placed in various parts of the paddock or on the track to encourage movement otherwise they stand around all day eating!
12. Have the water as far from the hay as possible (unless they are ill) to encourage movement.
11. Use your net to soak hay in - it keeps it together nicely and if you have a pulley above (wet hay is quite heavy), you can hang it up to drain.