#haynet

PRE ORDER

The best slow feeder small hole haynet you can buy. Super strong. Save time and money on hay. Easily control ad lib forage with zero waste.

The Trickle Net Original is a super strong slow feeding net with 25 mm holes, which are fixed, so no stretching. This net holds approx 8.5kg dry hay, and will trickle feed your horse for hours. Ideal for horses who spend long hours in the stable, or those who need help with weight control or gut health. Recommended by vets for the management of laminitis. These nets are also ideal for feeding forage on grass free turnout or track systems.

Description

The benefits to using Trickle Nets continue to amaze us. Saving you so much money on wasted forage and bedding, they also provide your horse with prolonged and controlled access to forage which brings many physical and mental health benefits. Grazing keeps your horse happy, and with a Trickle Net they can graze anywhere.

Each Trickle Net® has been hand stitched in England to provide you with the highest quality most sturdy and robust feeding net available. The nets are made from very strong 4mm rot proof braided polyethylene in black. The hole size is 25mm and the Trickle Net® is large enough to hold 8.5kgs of dry hay. It is very easy to use and also water proof / rot proof so can be submerged for hay soaking.

These nets are super strong, heavy duty and made to do a very specific job. They do take a few weeks to ‘soften up’ and using them regularly will break them in best.

Some horses can take a few days to get used to a Trickle Net. They can’t grab and pull large amounts as they do with other nets. Your horse needs to nibble and pluck, the same method they use when grazing. We advise that you introduce any Trickle Net product beside the usual forage feeding method.

I have covered a number of ways to feed hay about a year ago in Hay, Hay You! What’s New?.  Finally, after over two years officially writing The Green Horseman, I’m coming around to regular product reviews.

On this installment, I am reviewing the Tough-1 Original Hay Hoops.

OVERVIEW:

You can find the Tough-1 Hay hoops at several locations.  I purchased mine from Horse.com for under $25 each.

The Tough-1 Hay Hoop is a metal frame that gets mounted to a solid surface.  I began using them in Blade’s stall when I was boarding.  With the permission of the farm owner, I hung the hoop up in the corner of Blade’s stall.  We actually purchased four as a group to hang in multiple stalls.

Inside the package, I received the hay hoop and an attached net.  Around the outside of the frame, a net is attached with spiral fittings; the spiral fittings allow the net to be replaced.

The hoop itself measures 17″ x 12.5.”

The hay net has 2″ holes and fits roughly 3 flakes of hay from the average small bale, sometimes 4.

To attach to the wall I received the screws (5 for the hoop and 4 for the upper attachment) and the upper hook which secures the hoop once it has been filled.

If you pack the hay tightly in the net it will stick straight out.  It is much easier to underfill the net.

To Hang:

I began by selecting a location (about chest level) where I wanted to hang the hoop.  I secured the central screw first to hold it in place.

Using a level I then secured on of the top corners.  Once the two screws were in place I finished the other three corners.

The hoop also comes with a hook that secures the top of the device when it is filled.  To determine the proper location I closed the hay hoop as if it were full.  I positioned the hook attachment where it would go at this closed position.  Holding steady I screwed the piece in place.  A few empty test tuns confirmed it was hung properly..

To Operate:

Slide the hoop up and it will rotate outward in the open position.  This makes loading hay a breeze since the net is held open for you.

The net that is provided can hold about 3-4 average-sized flakes of hay.  You CAN pack it tightly but the net will stick straight out until your horse has eaten some of it.

Note: If you overpack the net it will also be more difficult to close.  If you need to feed more hay I recommend multiple hoops or a larger net.

Once the net is filled with hay, tip the hoop vertically and it will slide down.  You will need to hold the lip of the hook so the hoop will catch it just right.

…and that’s it.

So easy a cat can do it?

The Change the Net:

Once you learn HOW to change the net it’s actually quite easy.

The hoop has 22 sprial fittings; 5 on either side, and 6 down the length.  The best way to start is to count how many loops you have on the NEW net and plan accordingly.  I find that I have to double up somewhere so I double every other…or whatever I need to do to make sure it looks even all around.

To put ON the net…grab one loop on the opening of your net and pinch it into a smaller loop.  Next slide the loop UP between the hoop frame and the spiral fitting.  Pull the loop towards the center of the hoop and around the lip of the spiral.

To REMOVE the net.  Pinch the net and push it towards the center of the hoop.  Try to catch the loop and flip it up and over the spiral fitting.  It should pull off easily from there.

Since it’s easier to show than it is to explain I’ve attached the video below:

PROS:

Affordable

Compared to the competition this is very affordable at about $25

Easier to load than just a net

Although I don’t find nets to be terrible to load, some people hate it.  This hoop holds the net open so all you need to do it pop the flakes in.

Reduced hay waste

My horses will leave piles of hay on the ground when I get lazy and toss flakes into the pasture.  With the hay nets, the nay stays out of the mud and my horses consume a lot more of it.

Extends grazing time

Some horses can be hoover vacuums and eat their hay too fast, then stand around waiting for more.  By feeding in nets the horses “graze” which keeps the hay in front of them longer.  The more time they spend chewing and grazing the more saliva they produce when then buffers the stomach acid.  This is especially good for those horses susceptible to ulcers.

Replaceable Net

For the horses that destroy everything, for the horses that need a smaller hole size, or for the horses that need a larger capacity.  Once you learn how to take the net on and off using the spiral fittings changing nets out is simple.

Designed with no sharp edges

I don’t have to worry about my horse bumping himself on anything sharp.

CONS

Size of frame

The average hay flake is larger than the hoop frame.  I often have to load 1 or 2 flakes at a time and shake the bag down.  It would be a lot easier if the frame was large enough to put in 4-5 flakes all at once.

Net quality

It may come with the hoop but it’s not the greatest quality.  I have had to replace several of them.

Uniformity

I have now installed a total of 8 of these and the net varies in size.  It’s not a big difference but noticeable enough when you compare side to side.

Ease of Use

The hoop doesn’t always move smoothly.  It can get jammed and needs to be smacked a couple times in order to loosen it up again.

Annoyance factor

Getting the small hook piece to stand straight up shouldn’t be so difficult.  Many times I have needed to be very dextrous to pick the hay up, unjam the hoop frame, hold the hook piece vertically and guide the hoop perfectly into position.   At this point, I am not bothered by it but for others, it may be a deal-breaker.

  Tips:

Don’t mount the nets too high.  Mount them about chest level in order to keep the horse’s neck in a neutral or lowered position.

If your horse eats more than 2-3 flakes I highly recommend getting a larger net and replacing it from the start.  The hoop is a lot easier to close if the net is under-stuffed.

For shod horses, keep the net off the ground (or consider another option if he/she paws).

Don’t leave your horse with a non-breakaway halter.  The clasp can easily hook to the net if your horse rubs its face.  This actually happened to Blade once.  He didn’t panic…he stood quietly waiting for help to arrive.

Alternatives:

Of course, there are other products similar.

HayChix: This is the one that comes to mind first.  Specifically, the free up feeder.  The free up feeder is also a metal hoop.  It now comes in TWO sizes….12″x24″ and 24″x24.”  The hoops are of great quality, closing it is simpler, and the nets are of superior quality.  The caveat? They are understandably more expensive (As of January 2020 the original is $77 and the XL is $115.  They ARE worth it if you have the money and want longevity.

DIY Nets: This is another company that has a number of great options,  There are various sizes and dimensions available.  They even have a hoop for minis.  They are also double/triple the price of the Tough-1 hoops.

Final Word:

I chose to save my money and purchase the Tough-1 hay hoops over the HayChix nets.  They are cheap and effective and I have no trouble changing out nets.  If money were no issue HayChix would have been my first choice.

At the end of the day if you find yourself interested in this feeding style, you must choose between lower cost and higher inconvenience or higher price with more convenience.

The Tough-1 Hay Hoops are good products and good value.  I use them daily.  They keep my horses eating happily, keeps the hay out of the mud, and helps make sure the hay ends up where it belongs…in their bellies.

I have 4 located in different spots around my barn.  Even with two horses, I use them all.  I will put 1-2 flakes in each…throughout the day they migrate and move from net to net.

If you are considering this purchase, I recommend it.

You can purchase them at:

Horse.com

or even at

Tractor Supply Company

Hay comes in difference sizes, cuttings, varieties.  Square bales, small squares, round bales.  Timothy, orchard grass, ryegrass, brome, coastal, clover/legume, alfalfa, fescue, and the list goes on.

In New York we simply see “grass hay” or mixes.  My current hay provider gives me a mix…of what I’m not entirely sure but I do see clover and grass for sure.  At one point he told me there was alfalfa but to my dismay it appears to have given way to the hardier forages.

We can go on and on about hay but for starters lets talk simply about feeding it.

I purchase small bales which weigh about 35-40 pounds each.  The three amigos are given the hay “free choice” so they can eat around the clock as nature intended.  They never run out.

Hay isn’t cheap.  In upstate New York I seem to have it easier than the rest of the country.  Our small bales sell anywhere between 4-6 per bale…first cutting.  Our hay is also better quality than most on average.  Florida, for example, sees mostly lower quality hay and sells for $12 per bale (Floridians please correct me if I’m wrong but this is the trend I’ve heard of from the limited contacts I have).  Unfortunately our seasons are often short and we are lucky to see two cuttings, my current source only got one cutting in this year.  I will save the quality talk and cuttings explanation for future posts.

On average I go through 2-3 bales per day, on average I am spending $300 per month to feed the amigos hay alone (not including supplements and grain).  The biggest headache horse owners have is wasted hay.  There’s a deep pit in our hearts when we walk into the barn to see hay spread throughout, trampled, and defecated on.  Tell that to the horse though…he neither knows why you’re upset nor cares.

This wasting of hay has led to hundreds of “solutions.”  See for yourself; if you Google “feeding hay” you will be bombarded with products and websites dedicated to reducing hay waste.  We all face it and we all search for the magic bullet.

So what’s the right answer?  To each their own, really.  All of the options have benefits and drawbacks.  But here are a few feeding methods that I use.

Feeding On The Ground

Among the most natural and easiest methods of feeding hay.  Choose a spot and throw a few flakes down.  With the boys I would put down two or three piles.

PROS:

Easy

Fast

Feed anywhere

Natural, feeding at ground level simulates grazing, elongates the neck, and helps to stretch the back muscles.

CONS

Messy

Lots of Waste; horses won’t eat hay if it’s dirty.  They tend to spread it all around, trample it, and poop all over it.

Get it Off the Ground

The week we got our new ATV my neighbor came down with this old snowmobile trailer.  Though it was extremely kind and generous it sat in our driveway as we have no use for it.  Finally, as I watched the boys continue to trample their hay I had a light-bulb moment.  I hooked the trailer to the ATV and hauled it up the hill.  The horses enjoy the sun in the colder fall days so I left it out in the open.

PROS:

Easy

Fast

Feed anywhere: You can hook this up and move it to different locations so one area doesn’t get over trampled

Off the ground means that it won’t get trampled into the ground.  This makes it less likely to be wasted

Less waste: In theory if your horses don’t reject it

CONS

Wastes some: Even getting the hay off the ground the horses still rejected a bunch of hay.  They fluffed it up and left a massive amount laying in the trailer for days.

Out in the elements: I began by putting two bails out and since the horses rejected about half it was left out in the rain.  This makes them like it even less.

Wall Mounted Nets

There are many manufacturers that sell these.  I purchased these from Tough-1 through my Horse.com.  You can find them using my affiliate link below (Tractor Supply also carries them online).

If you’re not aware I am an affiliate for several companies.  Horse.com StatelineTack and my newest company is Tractor Supply.  I don’t push too often because I care more about your readership than the commissions. If you do shop at these retailers, though please consider following my links to help me earn a few bucks to spoil the amigos with quality treats.

PROS:

Off the ground

Reduces nearly all waste

You can change the net once the horses destroy the original

Slows the horse down to mimic the grazing rate of consumption; allows the horse to work on the hay for a longer period of time.  This is especially good for easy keepers that stay fat on air.

CONS

The metal bars don’t move as freely, can be annoying and difficult to load at times

Small opening means you must load only a few flakes at a time

A permanent location means the horses won’t move around much

Need a wall to mount to so you are limited to the barn

Not as natural: horses are evolved to reach down to graze, it’s better for their spinal, respiratory, and muscular health.  These hay nets require them to raise their heads and tilt them in unnatural movements.

The Standard Hay Net

My most used method of feeding continues to be my reliable hay nets.  I have about nine or ten in different sizes with different size openings that I rotate.

PROS:

Off the ground

Reduces nearly all waste

Slows the horse down to mimic the grazing rate of consumption; allows the horse to work on the hay for a longer period of time.  This is especially good for easy keepers that stay fat on air.

Natural, feeding at ground level simulates grazing, elongates the neck, and helps to stretch the back muscles.

Can be hung nearly anywhere.  I have used my barn, trees, and the corral panels.  They are vital for travel in trailers.

CONS

Takes time to load

Inexperienced help take time to learn how to efficiently load nets

Not as natural: horses are evolved to reach down to graze, it’s better for their spinal, respiratory, and muscular health.  These hay nets require them to raise their heads and tilt them in unnatural movements.

Must have a place to hang

Shod horses can get their shoes stuck if they paw

Hay Racks

The farm I used to board at has a hay rack in one of the fields.

PROS:

Off the ground

Easy

Minimizes Waste

CONS

Can be knocked over by horses or the wind (as in the photos below)

Metal and hard surfaces can damage the enamel on teeth

The elevated position and angle of the hay causes a very unnatural movement for the horse.

Other Alternatives

I told you there are numerous feeding options for hay and I wasn’t joking.  If you want to spend a thousand or more they even have hay huts that shelter the hay from the elements.  Horses simply stuck their heads in the hut to munch.  Some people build gazebo-like structures to protect the hay.

There are also hay baskets, and some people feed hay in a slow feed net laying in an empty trough.

These all work.

I’ve included a link to a few other neat options to explore.  I haven’t used them so I can’t provide any valuable testimony.

Hay Play: Hay Play is a plastic ball that you load with hay and horses can roll it around.  This provides the horses with exercise as the move and graze.  I live on a hilly property so I don’t know if this would work with my boys.  The physics of it also makes me skeptical whether the horses can access all of the hay or just the outer edges while it’s packed.  It looks like a pain to load at well.  Either way I love the concept and think with a few reworks it would be spectacular.

Porta-Grazer: The Porta-Grazer is essentially a plastic barrel that can be loaded with hay, the cover has grazing holes and moves down the barrel as hay disappears.  It appears to be specifically designed so that the cover doesn’t easily get pulled out by the horse.  It keeps the head down, encourages the horse to slow down and practice the grazing that nature intended.  I haven’t purchased this because it is expensive and really only allows one horse to use it at a time.  Want to buy it for me (I’m only joking I think)?

DIY Nets: DIY Nets offers a number of really great looking products.  Wall mounts, corner mounts, hay baskets and a number of creative combinations.  Among my favorites is the tarter basket with hay net attachment.  These are high quality products at high quality prices.  Perhaps one day I may try these.

Hay Chix: I do have a bit of personal experience with Hay Chix since my friend has a few of their corner feeders.  They work fantastically and hold up much better than the typical hay nets.  The materials are more forgiving than most as well.  I particularly love the corner feeder.  My friend had a large 2 bale net attached to the corner feeder and it was easy to load.  I can definitely recommend these products. 

Haynet’s Blog Block Busting Tips

Throughout August Haynet shared a daily tip on how to beat your writers block on your equine blog on their HorseBloggers twitter account. These tips were fantastic and basically asked you a question to answer in your blog post. While you may have already written a few of these already, I find them the perfect resource to look back on if I am struggling for an idea.

I wanted to share the basics of…