Haybars, are they any good?

[Erin]

I'm thinking about getting them for my two girls. However they are both good doers so I can't give them ad lib and worry that if I put their 2-3 slices ( usually soaked in Oct and then March) in a hay bar rather than small holed bet then it will be eaten too quickly. Would it be possible to use a net inside and also make a hole so that water from soaked hay drains through?

I use a haybar and a small holed net - we put a metal tie ring at the bottom of the haybar and tie the haynet to that.

 

[BeckyD]

Entirely depends on the horse. My previous horse just knocked it all out with his nose as soon as you put it in, and then trampled/widdled on his hay. Current horse just stands and muches his way through the pile in the haybar. So much so that we end up with a little nose tunnel right through. Looks like a rabbit has burrowed. I think he's just too efficient to waste time moving to eat the hay! So the Haybar is perfect for him.

 

[Miss L Toe]

Make sure the haybar is installed so that it can be cleaned, ie not down to the floor, it will build up dirt and mould over time. I think it is a good idea if a yard is distributing hay from a cooler or wheelbarrow, and is better than feeding on ground for a messy type.
Though haynets with small holes are good for greedy types, I don't ever use large holed nets for fear of trapping a leg. In general it is more healthy to have horse eating off ground, also haynets spread disease to some extent especially if used communally

 

[frozzy]

I recall seeing on a forum somewhere (but I think it was on here) someones OH made them a very robust look a like out of rubber matting and a couple of pieces of timber. Lots cheaper!