Horses waste 60% of a round bale. With Texas Haynet, they waste less than 10%.

Eliminating waste is one of many reasons horse owners are switching to slow feeding. The benefit of slow hay feeders is that they mimic the intake speed of natural grazing and allow animals to digest and absorb more nutrients—just as nature intended.

Our round bale hay nets

• Prevent serious health problems, such as colic, founder, and ulcers
• Prevent devastating eye injuries caused when animals burrow deep into a hay bale
• Prevent lung irritation and damage caused by inhaling dust and other harmful particulates
• Eliminate the clean-up of spoiled leftover hay that horses won't eat
• Reduce aggressive mealtime behavior by keeping horses busy working for food
• Extend the bale’s lifespan by keeping clean hay in front of the horse, instead of wasted hay that ends up on the ground covered in urine, feces, and mud
• Prevent obesity caused by overeating
• Help hard keepers sustain a healthy weight
• Help maintain proper insulin levels
• Help reduce the presence of flies and other pests
• Reduce stress, boredom, and stable vices

Slow Feeding

Horses require a continuous supply of forage.  In a natural environment, they spend 18-20 hours a day grazing and can consume up to 1.5 lbs. of forage an hour.  The slow, constant, trickling in of food keeps the horse's 100-foot intestinal tract moving and balanced.  The goal of slow feeding is to imitate this crucial biological process by providing a constant supply of hay 24/7.

However, many horses are confined to stalls or dry lots where meals are rationed out twice a day. When forage is absent for several hours, digestive problems such as ulcers, colic, and diarrhea begin to emerge.  Weight management and behavioral issues also arise due to an empty digestive system.  

Conversely, when horses engorge themselves with unlimited amounts of hay, other serious health problems can occur. Insulin, ph, and bacteria levels become unbalanced. Excessive gas can build in the hind gut leading to chronic diarrhea, or even worse, colic.  In addition, most horses will waste large amounts of hay by refusing to eat what hits the ground and using it for a restroom or bedding. 

Ultimately, the health benefits of slow hay feeders are impossible to ignore. Our slow feed hay nets simulate grazing by keeping forage in front of the horse continuously and slowing down consumption to a natural rate. Texas Haynets help owners avoid many of these painful, costly, and sometimes fatal digestive and metabolic ailments.

Increasing Movement

Horses will spend hours eating at a round bale, urinating, and defecating in place. This creates mud build-up that can contain thrush-causing bacteria and provide a perfect breeding ground for flies and other stable pests.

With Texas Haynet's round bale hay net, horses leave the bale more frequently to engage in other herd activities, such as playing, grooming, and sleeping. By spending less time at the bale, dominant, more aggressive horses allow the rest of the herd to eat peacefully.

Equine Welfare

A portion of Texas Haynet's proceeds is set aside to support non-profit horse rescue and therapy organizations across the country. Each month we provide a net to one horse rescue or therapy organization.

FAQs

Have more questions about our hay nets for round bales?  Click here to read the answers to some of our most frequently asked questions.