Frequently Bought Together
REDUCE HAY WASTE BY 46%
Save on time, hay and money
IMPROVES MENTAL HEALTH
By decreasing stress and keeping your horse occupied
REDUCE INCIDENCE OF CHOKE
Slows down the eating rate, also making them perfect for metabolic conditions
DECREASE BOREDOM IN HORSES
Keeping your steed stimulated, happy and entertained
GutzBusta® Round Bale Hay Nets are the ultimate solution for optimizing your 4x4 round bales. Say goodbye to hay wastage, colic, choke, and stable vices while enjoying cost savings. Our easy-to-fit hay nets provide numerous benefits:
- Reduce Hay Wastage: GutzBusta® Hay Nets decrease wastage by up to 46%,
- Ensuring your precious hay lasts longer and saves you money.
- Improve Livestock Health: By slowing down hay consumption, our hay nets help prevent colic, choke, stomach ulcers, and other digestive issues.
- Combat Boredom: Keep your animals entertained and engaged with our hay nets, reducing stall boredom and promoting natural grazing behavior.
- Versatile Sizing: We offer a range of sizes to suit your 4x4 round bales, ensuring a perfect fit and maximum hay conservation.
- 4x4 Bale Size: Hay Net Size - 57" x 72" (1.45m x 1.85m)
Not sure about the best hole size for your horses or livestock? We provide guidance on selecting the ideal size, and our friendly team is always ready to assist you in choosing the right fit for your animals' needs. Plus, our hay nets are adjustable, allowing you to convert larger nets to accommodate smaller bales if necessary. If you are not sure how to measure the size of the round bales, then please click here.
Why use GutzBusta®?
GutzBusta® Round Bale Hay Net decreases wastage by up to 46%.
For our own horses, we had a 4x4 round bale last 3 to 4 horses for 7 to 15 days with a 1 3/4" (4cm) net, depending on how cold the weather is and how palatable the hay is, so it can vary a LOT based on those conditions.
We also tested our hay net during the spring season. We had a 4x4 round bale of low-sugar hay, that lasted up to 3 months with 2 horses grazing from it as it wasn't overly palatable.
Our products are designed with large drawstrings to secure the hay net around your round bale. It’s easier to put on compared to other hay nets available in the market. We’ve been making slow feeders hay nets for over 12 years (since 2011) and we know how the netting behaves over time. This is why we developed a size and pattern that works to enable these nets to last longer.
Please note that each size of round bale is ‘true to size’ and if you only ever purchase 4x4 bales of hay for instance, then you only need to purchase a 4x4 hay net. Our hay nets are on the generous side, so although they won’t fit the next size up, they will allow for individual size variances depending on the farmer who makes the bales.
Caution:
- Shoes: If your horse is shod then simply tie your net up a little higher if it is a smaller net. If you are using a round bale or larger size net, then put your net inside a large box, hay ring or other device that stops their feet from coming into contact with their hay net. Direct contact of shoes and nets is not recommended.
- It is not recommended to leave buckled halters or other types of buckled headgear on your horse when using ANY type of hay net as your horse may get caught.
- Similarly, do not let horned animals such as cattle, sheep or goats eat from the nets due to possible entanglement.
- Cattle or stock with ear tags are cautioned from eating from the hay nets as they may rub their head and potentially remove the ear tags.
- It's important to keep in mind that horses wearing rugs might rub against the nets. To reduce the chance of a rug clip getting caught on the netting, make sure your buckles are properly secured and not sticking out, or consider securing the hay net to limit contact between the rug and the net. If rubbing is a concern, you might want to avoid having your horse wear a rug altogether.
For more information and photos about our hay nets, please visit our livestock page and our FAQ & Help page.
FAQs
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.
- 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.
Which Bag Size should I choose?
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Extra Small: Float/yard sized net capable of holding up to 1 generous biscuit of hay. Suitable for stables, yards, and floats.
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Small: Float/yard sized net capable of holding up to 3 generous biscuits of hay. Versatile and strong, suitable for stables, yards, and floats.
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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.
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Large: Full small bale-sized net available. Easy to load a full small bale of hay into. Suitable for stables, yards, and paddocks.
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Extra Large: Perfectly fits a 3-Stringer Bale.
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Round Bale: Available for different round bale sizes (3x4, 4x4, 5x4, 6x4). Comes in various net sizes (3cm, 4cm, 6cm).
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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.
Knotless vs Knotted
Our Knotted and knotless 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 30mm, 40mm, and 60mm.
On the other hand, the knotless hay nets are made from high-strength, UV Stabilized 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 20mm, 30mm, 40mm, and 60mm. 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.
Returns & Exchanges
We want you to be completely satisfied with your purchase from our store. If you have any issues with your order, please contact us at Gutzbusta so that we can make it right. We have a clear and concise Returns and Refund Policy to make the process as smooth as possible.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD RETURN REQUEST FORM
Returning Items
To return an item, please contact us at our customer service team via the email below. Make sure to include your order number when contacting staff.
Please pack the item securely in its original packaging and include all accessories and documentation, making sure the order number is clearly visible on the box. We will not accept items that have been modified or used in any way.
PLEASE BE AWARE: You are responsible for the cost of return shipping, unless the item is damaged or faulty.
Email: sales@gutzbusta.com
Our Postal Address:
Gutzbusta
2020 Industrial Blvd
Rockwall
TX 75087
Change of Mind
We accept returns for change of mind within 30 days of purchase. These can included swapping or exchanging item(s) for different sizes. The item(s) must be unused, in their original packaging, and in the same condition as when you received them.
We will issue a refund for the purchase price of the item(s) once we receive the item(s), excluding any shipping costs. While this process is under way, it is better to re-order with the correct item(s) to ensure your exchanged item(s) are delivered to you in a timely manner.
Incorrect Items Received
If you received the incorrect item(s), please contact us immediately. We will cover the cost of shipping the incorrect item(s) back to us. We will issue a replacement as soon as possible to you at no extra cost.
Damaged or Faulty Returns
If you receive damaged or faulty item(s), please contact us immediately. We will require photographic evidence of the damage or fault before we can process a return. We will cover the cost of shipping the item(s) back to us, and we will issue a replacement or full refund as soon as possible.
Damaged in Use
If your horse is using our nets and the net becomes damaged during use, please contact us immediately. We will require photographic evidence of the damage as well as the order number. Depending on the situation, we may offer a repair kit or exchange, subject to our discretion. Please note that general wear and tear, or damage caused by misuse may not be covered under our returns and refund policy.
Refunds
Once we receive your returned item(s), we will inspect it to ensure that they are in resalable condition. If the item(s) are in resalable condition, we will issue a refund to the original payment method within 7 business days. Please note that it may take up to 10 business days for the refund to appear on your account, depending on your bank or credit card company.
Thank you for shopping with us. If you have any questions or concerns about our Returns and Refund Policy, please do not hesitate to contact us.