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Using haynets to feed horses has several benefits, including reducing hay waste and slowing down consumption.
However, there are potential downsides, such as the risk of injury and unnatural feeding positions. When individual haynets are hung too high, horses may eat with their heads raised, which may lead to muscle discomfort and long-term problems. This position also increases the chance of inhaling dust or hay particles, which may cause respiratory issues.Do haynets also influence tooth wear.?
Michelle DeBoer and colleagues conducted a study to compare horse body weight and condition, hay consumption, tooth wear, and dental conditions between horses fed with or without hay nets.
The work was presented at the Equine Science Society Symposium 2023, and a report is published in the Journal of Equine Veterinary Science.
Thirteen adult geldings were recruited for the cross-over study and divided into two groups.
They were housed in adjacent dry lots with access to shelter and water. Both groups were fed round hay bales in feeders, with one group of six horses receiving hay wrapped in hay nets, while the other five horses were given hay without nets.
The study spanned two years, with the two groups switching halfway through: the five horses that initially had their hay wrapped switched to unwrapped hay, while the six horses moved to wrapped hay.
The researchers tracked hay consumption and monitored dental health, including incisor length, dental abnormalities, and conditions. They also recorded horse body weight and body condition scores annually—before, during, and after the study.
Results showed that horses eating unwrapped hay consumed more and had higher body weight (BW) and body condition scores (BCS). No significant differences were found in incisor length, incisor bevels, or dental abnormalities.
The researchers concluded that hay nets do not negatively affect dental health but can reduce hay consumption and help manage horse body weight and condition.
For more details, see:
M. DeBoer, L. Keener, J. Layeux-Parks, O. Schueller, L. Johnson, K. Martinson,
Effect of hay nets on horse bodyweight, body condition score, hay usage, and dental health in mature adult horses,
Journal of Equine Veterinary Science,(2024) Vol 136,105051
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