Hay Net Hole Size Selector – Slow Feeding for Horses

The ideal hay net hole size depends on several factors including your horse's size, weight management goals, experience with hay nets, and dental condition. For most adult horses maintaining a healthy weight, a 2.0 inch (50mm) hole provides an excellent balance—slowing consumption to 4-6 hours per flake without causing frustration. Use the selector tool above for a personalized recommendation tailored to your horse's unique profile.

Smaller holes restrict how much hay a horse can pull out with each bite, naturally extending feeding time. A 1.0" hole can extend feeding to 8-12 hours per flake, while a 4.0" hole provides near-unrestricted access (1-2 hours). This mimics natural grazing patterns, reduces boredom, decreases stall vices, and helps prevent digestive issues like colic and ulcers by keeping the digestive tract consistently occupied with small amounts of forage.

Horses with dental issues—such as missing teeth, severe wear, or seniors over 20 years old—may struggle with very small holes (under 2.0 inches). For these horses, we recommend using larger holes (2.5"-3.0" / 63-76mm) to ensure they can access hay without frustration or stress. Always consult your equine dentist or veterinarian before introducing a slow feed net to a horse with known dental problems. Signs your horse is struggling include excessive pawing, giving up on eating, or weight loss.

Transition gradually! Start with a larger hole size (2.5"-3.0") for 1-2 weeks, then progressively move to smaller holes. Always provide free-choice water and ensure your horse can access hay within the first 5 minutes of introducing a new net. If your horse shows signs of frustration (excessive biting at the net, pawing, giving up), step back to a larger hole size and try again later. Some horses adapt in days; others may take weeks. Patience is key—the health benefits are worth the transition period.

When used correctly, slow feed hay nets are generally safe. However, safety precautions include: hang nets at chest height (never on the ground for shod horses), regularly inspect for fraying or holes that could trap hooves, remove if the horse is wearing shoes that could get caught, and never leave a horse unattended with a new net until you're confident they use it safely. Ultra-small holes (1.0" or less) should only be used by experienced horses under supervision, as frustration can lead to destructive behavior.

Ponies and miniature horses (under 400 lbs) typically do well with 1.0"-1.5" (25-38mm) holes, as they are prone to obesity and metabolic issues like laminitis. Draft horses and warmbloods (1500+ lbs) have larger muzzles, stronger pulling power, and higher caloric needs—they generally need 2.5"-3.0" (63-76mm) holes to avoid frustration while still achieving meaningful slow feeding. Always match hole size to muzzle size and nutritional requirements.

A well-fitted slow feed hay net should make a standard flake of hay last 4-8 hours for most horses. The goal is to mimic natural grazing—horses in the wild spend 12-16 hours per day foraging. If hay is consumed in under 2 hours, the holes are too large. If your horse cannot extract hay after 30 minutes of effort, the holes may be too small. The sweet spot is when your horse eats steadily throughout the day with occasional short breaks, maintaining a healthy weight and calm demeanor.

Yes! Alfalfa and softer hays are easier to pull through small holes—consider going down 0.5" in hole size compared to grass hay recommendations. Coarse, stemmy hays (like mature Timothy or Teff) are harder to extract and may require slightly larger holes (+0.5") to prevent frustration. Mixed grass-alfalfa blends generally work well with standard size recommendations. Observe your horse during the first feeding session with a new hay type and adjust accordingly.