28/01/2026
Hay nets are not the problem. How and where we use them is.
A horse is built to move and eat in a grazing position for most of the day. In natural conditions, horses follow a walk–eat–walk–eat rhythm, spending around 80% of their time with the head down and only about 20% in varied positions. This posture is essential for healthy biomechanics, muscle function, jaw use and a balanced nervous system.
When hay is fed mainly in hanging nets, the horse has to eat in an elevated head and neck position and pull against resistance. This creates unnecessary tension in the neck, poll, back and jaw and can lead to compensatory posture and chronic muscle tension.
In our system, hay is always offered in a grazing position. We use hay feeders with nets on top and large mesh sizes. The goal is not extreme slowing down, but to structure intake, reduce waste and encourage natural movement patterns: walk – eat – walk – eat.
We do use hay nets every day — but never in a way that forces the horse to pull or eat in an unnatural posture. Different positions, smaller meshes or different fillings (hay, straw, herbs, grass) are used occasionally as enrichment, not as the basis of feeding.
Natural posture first.
Movement first.
Biomechanics first. 🐴
