Hay nets or hay feeders that use netting, are a great way to save money and the mess of wasted hay. With the rise of the slow feeding trend, hay nets are more popular than ever.
Common sense for their safe use goes a long way to keep your horse from tangles or trouble, but here are some safety tips.
TIP #1 – If your horse wears SHOES, netting needs to be out of strike range.
Netting often gets caught between the heel and the branch of the shoe. (a run-under rehab pic)
This is not new info, but needs to be repeated. Nets will get caught between the shoe and the heel of the hoof. They need to be hung high enough so that the horse isn’t likely to reach up when it’s pawing or striking.
Hanging them too high may cause neck discomfort, so find a balance between safety and comfort.
Alternatively the net can be put in some kind of barrier to pawing. Something with sides at least 30”, though some taller or determined horses will climb or paw low setups.
Stall size Tumble Feeders can be hung like a hay net inside or outside.
TIP #2 – No horned animals near netting
Goats are gaining popularity faster than hay nets, but if the horns are left to grow, they can become tangled. Putting the net inside a feeder is not always helpful if the goats jump inside or on top of it.
TIP #3 – Naked is best.
Horses love to rub their heads or bodies on things. Halters or blanket snaps can be a risk if they get snapped to the net on a round bale or a net that is hung.
Getting snagged is probably not going to hurt your horse, but he may hurt himself trying to get free of it. A bit of vet wrap or tape to cover the snaps of the halter or the chest snaps of a blanket create a measure of safety.
The type of snap that just push in are especially troublesome.
Regardless of your type of feeder, horses are curious creatures who find their way into a fix now and again. Tumble Feeder’s plastic materials were chosen to be easy on your horse and lightweight for you. Demonstrated here by two of my hooligans with an early prototype. They weren’t stuck, just being silly and entertaining as usual.
Learn more about Tumble Feeders – the rolling hay net and feeder in one! EASIER for you, HEALTHIER for your horse.