Knotted Hay Nets - Medium

Which Hole Size should I choose?

When choosing a hay net hole size, several factors should be considered. Here is a short summary of the key points for each hole size:

20mm Sized Holes:

• Suitable for "expert level" ponies that can eat from 30mm hay nets at impressive speeds.
• Recommended for horses or ponies that have mastered eating from a 30mm hay net.
• Ideal for feeding Lucerne to greedy horses or ponies.

30mm Sized Holes:

• Great for voracious eaters, such as ponies, minis, and horses familiar with slow feed hay nets.
• Laminitic horses usually benefit from 30mm sized hay nets.
• Relieves boredom for stabled horses or as a backup net for when the first hay net empties.
• Recommended for gutzy horses, ponies, or livestock, especially with palatable hay or slow feed experience.
• Not commonly used for goats, cows, or sheep, but some may use it with palatable hay.

40mm Sized Holes:

• The most popular hole size for slow feeding, accepted by over 90% of horses.
• Suitable for slightly stalky hay, providing hay-saving benefits and increasing hay longevity.

60mm Sized Holes:

• Ideal for saving on hay without significant restriction.
• Commonly used with low-sugar or coarse and stalky hay, great for older horses and cattle.
• Suitable for pregnant broodmares or younger horses where slow feeding is unnecessary.
• Caution: Ensure hoof size is larger than netting size for horse safety.

General Considerations:

• GutzBusta 40mm holes are a good starting point, with flexibility to go up or down in size.
• Weather and hay type can influence the suitable hole size.
• Palatability determines the hole size, with more palatable hay allowing for smaller holes.
• Horse's health status, weight, and workload should be considered when choosing a hole size.
• 40mm and 60mm sizes are suitable for saving on wastage, while 30mm slows down eating.
• Monitor horse's response when introducing a new hay net to avoid over-facing.
• Different livestock can use various hole sizes, with 40mm being common.
• Different hole sizes are used throughout the year, for various hays, health conditions, and weight management.
• Be cautious with shod horses and use appropriate hay rings/feeder to prevent entanglement.
• If you intend to soak hay in your net, we recommend rinsing the net in cold water prior to first use for a few minutes.

• Horns & Ear Tags: We do not recommend using hay nets with livestock that have horns, as netting can become caught or hooked. Similarly, if your cattle or calves have ear tags, there is a risk of them rubbing against the netting and catching a tag. This can potentially result in the tag being pulled out or the ear being injured. Although we have only ever heard of this happening with cattle, there is the probability that this could happen with other livestock such as sheep or goats so we recommend that you monitor your stock and be aware that this is a possibility.
  
  For this reason, hay nets are generally better suited to hobby farm situations where stock numbers are low, and the benefits, (reduced waste, slower feeding, etc.) may outweigh the potential inconvenience of tag loss. Ultimately, it is up to the owner to assess whether this product is suitable for their livestock and setup. If you’re unsure, feel free to reach out and we can help guide you toward the best option.
  
  
• Drawstrings: If you are putting your hay net on the ground (only if your equine isn’t shod) then there are two ways to deal with the drawstring. You can either tie a daisy chain knot, OR you can fill your hay net and simply untie the knot that is at the end of the drawstring and let two lengths of drawstring hang loose so there is nothing for them to get entangled in. For further instructions on these and other options, please read this link.
  
  
• Sheep: If your sheep are eating hay where they will likely burrow their heads into the bale to chase seeds or more palatable sections of hay within the bale, then we recommend starting at 4cm (1 ¾”) sized holes, or 3cm (1 ¼) if the hay is REALLY palatable.
  
  
• Shoes: If your horse is shod, simply tie your net up a little higher if it's a smaller net. If you're using a round bale or larger size net, put your net inside a hay ring or other structure that stops their feet from coming into contact with the hay net. Direct contact between shoes and nets is not recommended.
  
  
• Buckled Headgear: It is not recommended to leave buckled halters or other types of buckled headgear on your horse when using ANY type of hay net as your horse may get caught.
  
  
• Rugs: It's important to keep in mind that horses wearing rugs might rub against the nets. To reduce the chance of a rug clip getting caught on the netting, make sure your buckles are properly secured and not sticking out, or consider securing the hay net to limit contact between the rug and the net. If rubbing is a concern, you might want to avoid having your horse wear a rug altogether.
  
  
• Small Hooved Animals: Monitoring small hooved animals that may jump on hay nets is recommended. Although we have never had an issue reported, it is advised to watch that small feet/hooves don't become entangled in the netting.
  
  
• Important: Hay nets must never come into direct contact with hooves of horses wearing shoes, as this creates a serious entanglement risk. In our images, if a horse is shown eating from ground-level hay nets, they are barefoot, regularly trimmed, and not prone to excessive pawing. If your horse is shod or paws excessively at feed, this ground feeding method is not suitable and should be avoided.
  

We want you to be completely satisfied with your purchase from our store. If you have any issues with your order, please contact us at GutzBusta so that we can make it right. We have a clear and concise Returns and Refund Policy to make the process as smooth as possible.

For any orders in the UK please DOWNLOAD RETURN REQUEST FORM

Returning Items

To return an item, please contact us at our customer service team via the email below. Make sure to include your order number when contacting staff.

Please pack the item securely in its original packaging and include all accessories and documentation, making sure the order number is clearly visible on the box. We will not accept items that have been modified or used in any way.

PLEASE BE AWARE: You are responsible for the cost of return shipping, unless the item is damaged or faulty.

Email: sales@gutzbusta.co.uk

Our Postal Address:

GutzBusta
GutzBusta
3PL WOW
5 Cowley Rd, Blyth NE24 5TF

Change of Mind

We accept returns for change of mind within 30 days of purchase. These can included swapping or exchanging item(s) for different sizes. The item(s) must be unused, in their original packaging, and in the same condition as when you received them.

We will issue a refund for the purchase price of the item(s) once we receive the item(s), excluding any shipping costs. While this process is under way, it is better to re-order with the correct item(s) to ensure your exchanged item(s) are delivered to you in a timely manner.

Incorrect Items Received

If you received the incorrect item(s), please contact us immediately. We will cover the cost of shipping the incorrect item(s) back to us. We will issue a replacement as soon as possible to you at no extra cost.

Damaged or Faulty Returns

If you receive damaged or faulty item(s), please contact us immediately. We will require photographic evidence of the damage or fault before we can process a return. We will cover the cost of shipping the item(s) back to us, and we will issue a replacement or full refund as soon as possible.

Damaged in Use

If your horse is using our nets and the net becomes damaged during use, please contact us immediately. We will require photographic evidence of the damage as well as the order number. Depending on the situation, we may offer a repair kit or exchange, subject to our discretion. Please note that general wear and tear, or damage caused by misuse may not be covered under our returns and refund policy.

Refunds

Once we receive your returned item(s), we will inspect it to ensure that they are in resalable condition. If the item(s) are in resalable condition, we will issue a refund to the original payment method within 7 business days. Please note that it may take up to 10 business days for the refund to appear on your account, depending on your bank or credit card company.

Thank you for shopping with us. If you have any questions or concerns about our Returns and Refund Policy, please do not hesitate to contact us.