A hay net is a mesh bag used to contain and dispense hay or haylage to stabled horses. It is hung at head height or slightly above in the stable, allowing the horse to pull forage through the mesh as it eats. Hay nets are one of the most commonly used pieces of stable equipment and are central to managing a horse’s forage intake, particularly when rationing is necessary or when preventing hay from being wasted on a wet stable floor.
Why Use a Hay Net?
Horses are natural trickle feeders — their digestive systems evolved to process small amounts of fibrous forage continuously over sixteen to eighteen hours a day. In a stable, this needs to be replicated as closely as possible. A hay net slows down a horse that would otherwise consume a large section of hay in one go and then stand without forage for several hours, which can lead to gastric ulcers, stable vices, and general restlessness.
Hay nets also reduce waste. A hay net keeps forage contained, whereas loose hay on the floor can quickly become soiled, trampled, or used as bedding — all of which are wasteful and potentially costly. On a well-managed yard, the difference in hay consumption between horses fed from nets versus loose on the floor can be significant over the course of a season.
Types of Hay Net
Standard hay nets have a relatively large mesh — typically around 5–6cm apertures. These fill quickly and are easy to use but allow a horse to eat at pace. Small-hole hay nets, with mesh apertures of 3–4cm or even smaller, are increasingly popular precisely because they slow consumption further, extending the time a horse spends eating and more closely mimicking natural grazing behaviour.
For horses prone to weight gain, metabolic conditions such as equine metabolic syndrome, or those on restricted diets, a very small mesh net (sometimes called a nibble net or slow feeder) can make a significant difference to management. Some double-net systems layer one net inside another for even slower delivery.
Ground-level slow feeders are an alternative to hanging nets. These large, flat mesh feeders sit on the floor and allow horses to eat with their head down — a more natural position that reduces dust inhalation and is considered better for neck and back muscles. The trade-off is that some horses can paw at them or tip them.
Hay Net Safety and Height
Hay net height matters. A net hung too high can cause the horse to hold its head in an unnatural position for extended periods, potentially affecting the neck muscles and increasing the amount of hay seeds that fall into the eyes. Conversely, a net that hangs too low when empty poses an entanglement risk — a horse can get a foot caught, particularly if it is a horse that paws or fidgets.
The safest practice is to hang the net high enough when full that when empty it still clears the horse’s knees. Always use a quick-release knot so the net can be freed rapidly in an emergency. The British Horse Society provides guidance on safe stable management including hay net handling.
Filling and Soaking
Filling a hay net efficiently is a skill in itself on a busy yard. Many grooms fill multiple nets simultaneously using a large bin or trough as a base, packing the hay in densely before tying off. Soaking hay nets — submerging them in water for thirty to sixty minutes before feeding — is recommended for horses with respiratory conditions such as recurrent airway obstruction, as it removes dust and fungal spores. Steaming hay is a more modern alternative that achieves a similar result while retaining more nutritional value.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much hay should go in a hay net?
The general guideline is that a horse in light to moderate work should receive forage amounting to approximately 1.5–2% of its bodyweight per day in dry matter. For a 500kg horse, that is 7.5–10kg of hay per day. How this is distributed across the day depends on the management system — some horses receive several smaller nets throughout the day, others a large net at night. A nutritionist or vet can advise on precise quantities for horses with specific health needs.
Can horses be left with hay nets overnight?
Yes, and for most horses this is entirely normal. An overnight hay net ensures the horse has forage available during the longest period without human attention, which supports gut health and reduces boredom. For horses on restricted diets, using a small-hole net at night is a practical way to extend eating time without significantly increasing total forage intake.
Should I use a hay net for a horse at grass?
Hay nets can be used in field shelters or tied to post-and-rail fencing when supplementary forage is needed at grass — for instance during winter when grazing is poor. Take care that the net is tied at a safe height and that other horses in the field cannot become entangled. For multiple horses, using more nets than horses prevents competition and ensures all animals have access.