Haynets V. feeding on ground

[Elaine]

Haynets V. feeding on ground
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Horses are designed to eat food from the ground level (grass). Feeding from floor in the natural feeding position to ensure that the jaw has the correct alignment which ensures even wear on the teeth and as a result helps to avoid many of the dental problems. The correct position aids the respiration as the airways and the sinuses drain down. The natural posture also helps the back muscles and helps youngstock to develop correctly. The feeding position also stops ugly muscle from developing under the neck and helps to form a correct top line, which in turn helps the horse to work in the correct outline.

One danger with nets is if they are a bit low (perhaps hay has been eaten and then are not as full) a horse can get a foot or show stuck in them and cause an accident. Has happened before. So to be safe they'd want to be tied up a bit, but then this isn't healthy for a horse to eat this way........

[amanda1066]

Here's a great idea for ground feeding especially for 'fatties' and horses with laminitis. www.naturalhorseworld.com/Article-Feeding.htm

I believe teeth wear is also affected by contantly eating with the head up as well.

[caroline]

In the field I feed hay on the ground, but in the stable I always use haynets. I also use haynets in the trailer (there isn't any other option though!).

[intouch]

In principle, and in an ideal world, I agree with feeding on the ground, however I can't afford to have hay trashed so in order to feed as ad lib as possible, I use large haylege nets which the horses can't get their hooves through, and tie them at chest height, properly double tied to stop them getting too low. They mostly get at least 12 hours grazing time, so I hope that counteracts any teeth or muscle problems the nets might cause.

[amanda1066]

Stout planks across the corner of a stable (if the horse is in) can form a low level feeder.
I use a combination of things myself including high nets... I've had to resort to some nets to slow their intake down a bit but always provide a variety of feeding options, it's a compromise but hay isn't cheap as intouch points out.