Haynets for hay hutch!

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noodle_

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Finally got a hay hutch after much reading and researching - id like too (if possible)! get a haynet of some variety in there


Ive heard of (unless im imagining it!) haynets you can fill and literally chuck n the floor of a stable as legs/feet cant get caught? im thinking this variety?

How do you also attatch your nets in the hay hutch?

One horse is shod on front but dosent paw etc - youngster (unshod) does paw her likits and feed bowls (she has issues)! :D so the only concern is trapepd legs!


NOT essential that i use a haynet but just considering other ways to utilse the hay hutch in order to slow down the greedy bums!!!


thanks :)
 
Unsure why you want to slow the horse down. If they are out and you want them to make it last for reasons of weight control, shouldn't you just feed less? I'm a bit puzzled.
 
I think you are talking about "hay pillows". I've used these in my fields when the weather was reasonably dry so it wasn't too muddy. Just fill a normal haynet (or small holed net for slower feeding). I pulled the end closed as normal and tied it off, then threaded the spare string in and out of the holes for safety, finally tying it off again. Just throw them out and the horses manage fine. (Reason: Limits intake, saves waste, but still allows horses to trickle feed as nature intended).
Last year I was very pleased with my home-made slow hay feeders, and I will be fixing smaller versions of these inside my field shelter as well as using the huge ones in the field. My lot live out 24/7 and previously whatever system I used for feeding hay there was a lot of waste. The hay feeders saved me a fortune last year. They will give me great peace of mind in snowy conditions, because when full I have enough hay to last mine 48 hours out in the field.
Photos of slow hay feeders (smaller size, I now also have big ones that I can stuff two bales of hay into):
DSC04739.jpg

DSC04744.jpg
 
Thanks tinypony - thats what i mean!

I want to slow them down to trickle feed - ideally want one "helping" to last 24 hours - i know it will be trial and error but i have a medium sized hay hutch - one 14hh and one 15.1 - both seeminly good do-ers, well rugged, fed hard feed as well as hay too :)

One has/had ulcers so needs to trickle feed as much as she wants....the youngster just needs to follow suit and eat :)
 
Some other thoughts - don't use hay pillows with shod horses. They can get the string that makes up the haynet caught between shoe and hoof. I'm not sure if they'd be able to get the hay out properly if you put a haynet inside a hay hutch? My friend uses the hutches, but I don't think to slow down, just to control waste.
 
I get the trickle feed thing but won't the horse just go off and trickle on the grass? Sorry not trying to be contentious, just wondering if you are making things more complicated than you need to. I'm all for simple (goes with the lack of brain probably)
 
true TP...

i was just wondering - like i said - not necessary - just wondering if it would slow them a bit


main thing with it is to control waste.... i dont mind feeding whatever much they need but i really cannot abide waste and having to clear it up because they have wasted tons



suelin - when the grass is short (i will still have grass) i have THE most laziest horse ever who will stand there and wait for hay - she'd starve before making the effort to go eat short grass....! :D she has ulcers so i need to make sure she has constant access to good forage :)
 
When there's plenty of grass, personally, I don't use them. The photos I posted of the slow feeders were taken to put on a post telling people how to make them, they don't normally get them when there's that much grass.
Noodle mentioned using the hay pillows in the stable, I don't think she said hers are living out?

Edited to add: Noodle and I "crossed". But in stable or outside, these sort of ideas can come in handy. :-)
 
noodle_ said:
main thing with it is to control waste.... i dont mind feeding whatever much they need but i really cannot abide waste and having to clear it up because they have wasted tons
Click to expand...


Noodle I find I get minimal waste with mine (probably rake up a handful per day). I also found she slowed down on the hay once she knew it was always there. I have a medium and 1x 15.3hh cob and fill it once every 3 days (when the grass has all but gone or we have frosts). I move it ever 2-3days to stop poaching and rake any waste which is minimal.

The only annoying thing is driving rain/snow does get blown in so you get a puddle in the bottom if it has been really heavy. I tend to upturn it then and let her eat the soggy hay off the floor for a day (how mean!!).
 
oops sorry they live out!

I would use haynets if they lived in a stable but they are out 24/7 - hence also snow time they will need some form of hay shelter thing... (hence hutch!)

dont honestly care about the hay bill - they can eat what they want and need!
(gimme 2 months and i will be moaning about it :D )!

The grass in their field is lovely but when its icey/frosty/snowy they need hay....unless i starve them which isnt really an option for ulcer pony :D :D :D




PS - crossposted - thanks! i planned to fill it with a bale and monitor how long it lasted etc which will help with how much i need to order etc. If i can get away with a small bale every other day i will be happy!! they also have hard feeds and in the harder ground will also have rock n roll balls which they both adore :)
 
oh i know!! typially i bought them and it rained!!
it was only for a treat anyhow so not essential (im soft...i know! :D )

One has a snack a ball which she belts so shes on the rock n roll ones which are less beltable im lead to believe !!! :D

only being used under supervision though!!

:D
 
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