For centuries, horses have grazed freely on pastures, nibbling at forages throughout the day. In the domesticated world, however, feeding practices have shifted. Hay racks, once the norm, often lead to horses consuming their hay too quickly, causing many health problems. Thankfully, a revolution is underway – the slow feed revolution – spearheaded by the humble haynet.

Understanding the Digestive Needs of a Horse

Horses are hindgut fermenters, meaning their digestive system relies on a constant trickle of fiber to function optimally. In their natural state, they spend a significant portion of their day (up to 16 hours!) grazing. This slow, steady intake allows for proper digestion and nutrient absorption. Hay racks, on the other hand, encourage horses to gorge themselves, leading to a number of issues.

The Problems with Traditional Hay Racks

Rapid Consumption: Horses can quickly consume a large amount of hay from a hay rack. This disrupts their natural grazing behavior and can lead to digestive upset, colic, and weight gain.

Dust and Waste: Hay flakes readily fall from open racks, creating dusty environments and significant hay waste. This is financially wasteful and contributes to respiratory problems in horses.

Boredom and Impatience: Horses quickly devour hay from a rack, leaving them with prolonged inactivity and potential boredom.

Haynets: The Slow Feed Solution

Haynets offer a simple yet revolutionary way to mimic a horse's natural grazing behavior. Here's how they promote equine health:

Encourage Slower Eating: The small mesh of a haynet forces horses to take smaller bites and eat slower, allowing for better digestion and nutrient absorption.

Reduced Waste: haynets significantly minimize hay waste by preventing horses from pulling out and scattering flakes. This translates to cost savings and less bedding to manage.

Improved Air Quality: Haynets help to contain dust and debris, leading to a cleaner and healthier environment for your horse, especially those prone to respiratory issues.

Increased Hydration: By encouraging slower eating, haynets can increase water intake as horses consume more and produce saliva.

Mental Stimulation: The challenge of extracting hay from the net mentally stimulates horses, reducing boredom and stall vices.

Choosing the Right Haynet

Haynets come in various sizes, mesh openings, and materials. Here are some key factors to consider when choosing the right one for your horse:

Hay Type: Larger mesh openings are suitable for coarse hays like haylage, while haynets small holes are ideal for finer hay like alfalfa.

Horse Size and Feeding Habits: Match the net size to your horse's body size and how quickly they eat. Consider starting with a smaller mesh for horses new to haynets.

Safety: Choose a haynet with a safe, break-away design to prevent entanglement. Opt for softer materials that won't irritate your horse's muzzle.

Hay Nets: A Win-Win for Horses and Owners

The benefits of haynets extend far beyond just promoting horse health. Here's what horse owners can appreciate:

Reduced Hay Costs: Haynets minimize waste, leading to significant cost savings in the long run.

Less Stall Cleaning: With less hay scattered around the stall, cleaning time is reduced.

Peace of Mind: Knowing your horse is eating slowly and digesting properly brings peace to every horse owner.

eQuitack: Your Haynet Partner

EquiTack offers various high-quality haynets to suit every horse's needs. From small hole haynets for slow feeders to large haynets for coarse hays, we have the perfect option to kickstart your slow feed revolution eQuitack. Explore our selection and find the haynet to transform your horse's feeding routine and well-being.

The slow feed revolution is a simple yet impactful way to improve your horse's health and happiness. By incorporating haynets into your feeding strategy, you can mimic their natural grazing behavior and ensure a lifetime of well-being for your equine companion.