Haynets & Hay Bags
Hay that lasts the night.
Slow-feed haynets and hay bags for stable, field and travel - less waste, longer forage.
Horse Haynets & Hay Bags
Haynets and hay bags hold your horse's forage off the stable or trailer floor, cutting waste and making each net of hay last longer. The three choices that matter are hole size (the smaller the holes, the slower your horse eats), net or bag (bags are tidier and better for travel, nets hold more and are easier to soak) and strength (haylage is denser and heavier than hay, so it needs a tougher net). Just Horse Riders stocks standard nets, small-hole slow feeders, haylage nets and hay bags from brands including Shires, Hy Equestrian, LeMieux, Perry Equestrian and Trickle Net, from around £3.65.
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Haynet advice from the Just Horse Riders team — last reviewed July 2026.
Choosing a haynet or hay bag
| Choice | What it means |
|---|---|
| Standard haynet | Holes of roughly 4–5 cm. Easy to fill and fine for most horses that eat at a sensible pace. The cheapest option, and worth keeping a spare of. |
| Small-hole / slow feeder | Holes of roughly 2.5–4 cm slow a greedy eater down, so the same net lasts longer and feeding is spread through the day. Double-layer designs such as the Elim-A-Net slow things further still. |
| Haylage net | Made with thicker, stronger cord because haylage is denser and heavier than dry hay. If your nets keep breaking, this is usually the fix. |
| Hay bag | Solid sides with one feeding opening. Tidier than a net, quicker to fill and the usual choice for trailers and lorries — though it holds less. |
| Bale / XL net | Covers a half or full bale for field shelters and group turnout, so you top up far less often. |
Hanging height and safety
Hang a haynet at about your horse's eye level, and remember it sags as it empties — tie it high enough that a raised front hoof cannot catch in it, which matters even more for shod horses. Use a quick-release knot or a proper tie ring, and check nets regularly for broken strands. When travelling, a hay bag is often the tidier and safer option because there is less loose netting to get caught up in.
Soaking, steaming and slow feeding
Most polypropylene nets can be filled first and then dunked whole, which makes soaking far easier — let the net drain before you hang it. If you steam, look at purpose-made steamer nets such as the Hy Equestrian Slow Flow Steamer. Small-hole nets help spread forage across more of the day and support natural trickle eating; introduce one gradually so your horse does not get frustrated, and if you have concerns about your horse's weight or digestion, speak to your vet.
Haynet and hay bag favourites
- Everyday choice: Shires Haynet (from £5.40) — simple 42-inch net in plenty of colours; cheap enough to keep a spare in the tack room.
- Slow feeder: Hy Equestrian Slow Flow Haynet (from £10.07) — small holes make hay last noticeably longer without a big price jump.
- For real gobblers: Elim-A-Net (from £14.53) — net-within-a-net design in pony, cob and horse sizes for horses that empty a normal net in no time.
- For travel: Shires Hay Bag (from £14.40) — tidy single-opening bag that keeps hay off the trailer floor.
- Big-brand slow feeder: LeMieux Hippo Haynet (from £14.95) — sturdy small-hole net in LeMieux's usual smart colours.
- Built to last: Trickle Net Original (from £34.93) — heavy-duty net designed for horses that destroy standard nets, and the slowest feeder here.
Frequently asked questions
What hole size should I choose?
Standard haynets have holes of roughly 4–5 cm and suit most horses. Small-hole nets of roughly 2.5–4 cm slow eating down and make hay last longer. If you are not sure, start standard and move to smaller holes if the net empties too quickly.
Do I need a special net for haylage?
Haylage is denser and heavier than dry hay, so haylage nets are made with thicker cord and stronger stitching. A standard net will hold haylage, but it will wear out much faster — if you feed haylage daily, a purpose-made haylage net is worth it.
How high should I hang a haynet?
At about your horse's eye level. A net sags as it empties, so tie it high enough that a pawing front hoof cannot reach it even when nearly empty — especially important for shod horses. Always use a quick-release knot.
Is a haynet better than feeding from the floor?
Floor feeding is the most natural eating position, but it wastes more hay and is not ideal on deep bedding or sandy ground. A net slows eating and cuts waste. Many owners use both — most of the ration in a net, a little loose on the floor.
Not sure which net to pick? Tap the WhatsApp button at the bottom of the screen and the team will be happy to help.