A haynet that is too small creates a daily refilling job. One with very tight mesh may slow down a greedy horse, but can leave another frustrated or struggling to eat enough forage. Knowing how to choose haynets starts with the horse in front of you, then considers where and how they are fed.
For many UK horse owners, haynets are a straightforward way to keep forage off the stable floor, reduce waste in the lorry or trailer, and make a ration last longer. The right option should be practical to fill, strong enough for regular use and suitable for your horse’s eating habits. It also needs to be used safely - particularly around shod horses, youngsters and horses that are likely to paw or play with their feed.
How to choose haynets by mesh size
Mesh size has the biggest effect on how quickly a horse can eat. Standard haynets usually have larger holes and suit horses that eat at a sensible pace, need to maintain their forage intake or are being fed a short stay in the stable. They are also often easier to fill, especially when you are preparing several nets for a busy yard.
Small-hole or slow-feed haynets make the horse work harder for each mouthful. They can be useful for good doers, ponies, or horses on restricted grazing that benefit from a more controlled forage intake. A slower eating rate may also help reduce long gaps without forage, which is useful when a horse is stabled for extended periods.
However, smaller holes are not automatically better. Very fine mesh can be frustrating for some horses, particularly if they are new to slow feeding, have dental issues or are fed dry, coarse hay. Watch how your horse adapts. If they are persistently tugging at the net, becoming stressed around feed time or leaving forage they would usually eat, try a larger mesh or a different feeding arrangement.
As a rough guide, larger mesh is generally best for everyday feeding and easy access, while small mesh is better where you need to slow a horse or pony down. The forage itself matters too. Soft haylage can be pulled through a small-hole net more easily than long, stemmy hay, so the same net may not slow every forage type by the same amount.
Match the net capacity to the ration
Capacity is about more than whether the hay fits inside. A net packed too tightly can be difficult for the horse to eat from and awkward to tie up. A net that is far too large for a small ration can hang untidily, leaving loose material within reach of feet or legs.
Think about the weight of forage your horse receives overnight, during the day or when travelling. Weigh a few typical nets at home rather than relying on how full they look. Hay and haylage vary greatly in density, and a generously filled net may contain much less forage than expected.
For a pony having a controlled ration, a compact small-hole net may be enough. A larger horse staying in overnight may need a large-capacity net, or two nets, to provide sufficient forage without having to overfill either one. Using two nets can also spread the feed and may be helpful for horses that become unsettled when one net is empty.
If you routinely soak hay, choose a design that is easy to handle when wet and heavy. Strong rope, secure knots and durable mesh make a real difference here. Wet hay adds considerable weight, so avoid using a net with worn ties or stretched stitching.
Consider the material and construction
Haynets work hard. They are pulled, rubbed, exposed to damp forage and often dragged across stable doors while being filled. A budget net can be perfectly suitable for occasional use, but everyday stable feeding usually calls for a thicker, durable mesh and strong attachment points.
Look closely at the top rope or drawstring. It should run smoothly enough to close the net securely, while still being easy to untie with cold hands at the end of a long day. Reinforced top rings and tough hanging loops are useful on larger nets, as they carry more weight once filled.
Knotless haynets are worth considering for horses with sensitive lips and for those that rub their muzzle against knotted mesh. Their smoother construction can be gentler to eat from, although the best choice still depends on the hole size, forage and individual horse. Traditional knotted nets remain a familiar, cost-effective option and are widely used for general stable duties.
Hay bags and enclosed feeder bags are another option, particularly for travelling. Their more contained shape can keep the lorry or trailer tidier and reduce hay falling underfoot. Check that any bag has suitable drainage if you are using damp hay, and ensure it can be hung securely at an appropriate height.
Choose a safe place and height to hang it
A well-chosen haynet can still cause problems if it is tied badly. Nets should be secured where the horse cannot get a foot, shoe or head caught in them. Avoid leaving a net low enough for a horse to paw at or step into, but do not hang it so high that the horse has to stretch upwards unnaturally for every mouthful.
There is no single height that suits every horse and stable. A larger horse may need a higher tie point than a pony, while a horse that paws at feed may need a different feeding solution altogether. The aim is a secure net that hangs within comfortable reach without drooping near the floor as it empties.
Use a proper quick-release tie, safety clip or breakaway attachment where appropriate, rather than relying on a complicated knot that cannot be released quickly. Inspect the net, rope and fixings regularly for worn mesh, frayed cord and damaged fittings. Replace a tired net before a small hole becomes a leg-sized one.
For horses that are prone to getting tangled, pawing aggressively or pulling nets apart, a wall-mounted slow feeder or floor-level feeding system may be safer than a hanging haynet. Floor feeding supports a more natural head-down posture, but it needs a clean, dry area and may not suit every stable, management routine or horse.
Think about where you will use the haynet
A stable haynet, a turnout companion net and a travel net may have different jobs. For routine stabling, you may prioritise capacity, mesh choice and durability. At a show, clinic or day out, a smaller, quick-to-fill net can be more convenient. In a lorry or trailer, secure attachment and a tidy design become particularly useful.
If your horse shares a field shelter or travels with another horse, avoid assuming one net will suit both. Feeding competition can lead to rushing, guarding or squabbling. Separate forage stations, enough distance between horses and appropriate supervision are usually the better answer.
It is also sensible to keep a spare haynet in the tack room or transport kit. Nets are easy to misplace, and a damaged drawstring discovered just before loading is not when you want to be searching for a replacement. For everyday yard essentials, Dufinkle Saddlery offers practical choices across stable and travel feeding needs.
Make slow feeding work for your horse
When changing from a standard net to a small-hole design, introduce it gradually where possible. Offer enough forage, monitor how long it lasts and check that your horse is actually eating comfortably. A slow-feed net should extend feeding time, not turn forage into a source of stress.
Keep an eye on body condition, droppings, behaviour and the amount left by morning. If a horse finishes everything early and is waiting for breakfast, the answer may be more forage, a larger net or a second feeding point - not necessarily an even smaller mesh. If weight management is a concern, speak to your vet or qualified equine nutritionist before making major changes to forage quantity.
The best haynet is rarely the one with the smallest holes or the biggest capacity. It is the one that holds the right ration, suits your horse’s way of eating and stands up to the practical reality of daily stable life. Start with safe hanging and a sensible mesh size, then let your horse’s behaviour tell you whether you have got the choice right.