Which mesh size do I need?
Which Hole Size should I choose?
When choosing a hay net hole size, several factors should be considered. Here is a short summary of the key points for each hole size:
¾” Extreme Slow Feed Sized Holes:
- Suitable for "expert level" ponies that can eat from 1 ¼” hay nets at impressive speeds.
- Recommended for horses or ponies that have mastered eating from a 1 ¼” hay net.
- Ideal for feeding Lucerne, soft, fine, very palatable pasture hay to greedy horses or ponies.
1" Slow Feed Sized Holes:
- Experienced ponies, miniatures & extreme gobblers
- Ideal for feeding Lucerne, soft, fine, very palatable pasture hay to greedy horses or ponies.
1 ¼”Decelerator Sized Holes:
- Great for voracious eaters, such as ponies, minis, and horses familiar with slow feed hay nets.
- Laminitic horses usually benefit from 1 ¼” sized hay nets.
- Relieves boredom for stabled horses or as a backup net for when the first hay net empties.
- Recommended for gutzy horses, ponies, or livestock, especially with palatable hay or slow feed experience.
- Not commonly used for goats, cows, or sheep, but some may use it with palatable hay.
1 ¾” Moderate Sized Holes:
- The most popular hole size for slow feeding, accepted by over 90% of horses.
- Suitable for slightly stalky hay, providing hay-saving benefits and increasing hay longevity.
2 ½” Free & Easy Sized Holes:
- Ideal for saving on hay without significant restriction.
- Commonly used with low-sugar or coarse and stalky hay, great for older horses and cattle.
- Suitable for pregnant broodmares or younger horses where slow feeding is unnecessary.
- Caution: Ensure hoof size is larger than netting size for horse safety.
General Considerations:
- GutzBusta 1 ¾” holes are a good starting point, with flexibility to go up or down in size.
- Weather and hay type can influence the suitable hole size.
- Palatability determines the hole size, with more palatable hay allowing for smaller holes.
- Horse's health status, weight, and workload should be considered when choosing a hole size.
- 1 ¾” and 2 ½” sizes are suitable for saving on wastage, while 1 ¼” slows down eating.
- Monitor horse's response when introducing a new hay net to avoid over-facing.
- Different livestock can use various hole sizes, with 1 ¾” being common.
- Different hole sizes are used throughout the year, for various hays, health conditions, and weight management.
- Be cautious with shod horses and use appropriate hay rings/feeder to prevent entanglement.
- If you intend to soak hay in your net, we recommend rinsing the net in cold water prior to first use for a few minutes.