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Which Hole Size should I choose?

When choosing a hay net hole size, several factors should be considered. Here is a summary of the key points for each hole size mentioned:

¾” 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 to greedy horses or ponies.

1 ¼” 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” 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” 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.

Which Bag Size should I choose?

1. Extra Small: Float/yard sized net capable of holding up to 1 generous biscuit of hay. Suitable for stables, yards, and floats.

2. Small: Float/yard sized net capable of holding up to 3 generous biscuits of hay. Versatile and strong, suitable for stables, yards, and floats.

3. Medium: Capable of holding up to 4-6 biscuits or half a bale of hay. Ideal as an overnight net for stables, yards, and floats.

4. Large: Full small bale-sized net available. Easy to load a full small bale of hay into. Suitable for stables, yards, and paddocks.

5. Extra Large: Perfectly fits a 3-Stringer Bale.

6. Round Bale: Available for different round bale sizes (3x4, 4x4, 5x4, 6x4). Comes in various net sizes (3cm, 4cm, 6cm).

7. 8x3x3 / 8x4x3 / 8x4x4: Large square bales in sizes 8x4x4, 8x4x3 and 8x3x3. Available in different net sizes (3cm, 4cm, 6cm). Can fit all sizes of round bales.

Note: Custom sizes are not available for premade hay nets.

Knottless vs Knotted

Knotted hay nets are made from UV-stabilized polyethylene netting and have been in use for 8 years. They come in various ply sizes and are tough, durable, and easily repairable. They have been used by many horses and can last 2 to 6 years. Knotted nets are suitable for soaking hay and do not take on the weight of water. They are available in black and offer hole sizes of 3cm, 4cm, and 6cm.

On the other hand, knotless hay nets are made from high-strength polypropylene and have been available since 2019. They are softer and do take on some weight when soaked. The deluxe knotless nets are considered more luxurious and have become popular due to their softness. They are the strongest on the market with 240 ply and come in hole sizes of 2cm, 3cm, 4cm, and 6cm. Knotless nets are also only available in black.

When it comes to strength and longevity, there isn't a significant difference between knotted and knotless nets. Both types have proven to be tough, durable, and long-lasting. While some horses may prefer one material over the other, there is no way to predict which will suit an individual horse better without trying them. Ultimately, the lifespan of the nets depends on the individual horse and usage. Knotted nets have been used for 2 to 6 years without needing repairs, while the lifespan of knotless nets is still unknown after 3 years of use.