Nikki here, a question I was recently asked from a customer was "My horse suddenly stopped eating from their haynet, what's going on?" Although this doesn't happen very often, I thought it was too good a topic not to share with all of you, because chances are you'll experience this at some point too (if you haven't already).
One of our customers Francesca got in touch with us recently:
Hi, I have purchased several GutzBusta hay nets (4+3cm / 1 3/4" + 1 1/4") which my horses initially accepted really well - they live on a track and hay is always available as well as two hard feeds for minerals and protein etc. per day - now in the height of summer they're not eating from the initially loved nets. I'd love some suggestions or ideas, maybe something others have tried if available.
Thanks very much. Francesca
The Reply:
"Thank you for your email. This is something I have typically observed over the years myself and it is a point that I always make, just because a hay net hole size suits your horses now, doesn’t mean it will all year around.
Weather and temperature can make a real difference. Your horses in summer aren’t needing so much fibre to keep warm, so if the hay (assuming it is the same hay) isn’t appealing to them so much, then I would go up a hole size to 40mm/ 1 3/4". You will most likely find, heading into autumn, that they will go back to the 30mm/ 1 1/4".
This isn’t an uncommon phenomenon that you are experiencing, that’s another reason why I also say that no purchase is a wasted purchase in regards to hay net hole size. There will be a time when you will need a different hole size. For example, we have pasture hay we made ourselves, off the same paddock and they were 3 years apart. One is quite stalky, as we had a lot of rain that winter so it grew very tall and we couldn't cut it until November. That stalky hay needs to be fed in a 6cm/2 1/2" hole. A few years later, from the same paddock, we had a softer batch of hay that needed to be fed from a 2cm/ 3/4" hole. If I put these two round bales out together, the horses will still choose the softer 2cm/3/4" hay, because it's more yummy, even though the 6cm/2 1/2" hole is easier to access hay from than the 2cm/3/4".
I hope this helps" 😊
Why Hole Size isn't a "Set & Forget" Decision:
It's actually more common to go to larger hole sizes in winter & autumn and smaller in spring/summer than what Francesca experienced, however this is a great example of just how much everyone's personal experience, their own animals, and their own hay differs and how you must be prepared to make changes when undesirable observations such as reduced enthusiasm to eat are observed.
Her experience is a really useful point for understanding the two biggest factors that affect hole size: season and hay type.
Season & Temperature
Horses use the fibre in hay to generate their own body heat, which is exactly why they need more access to hay in the depths of winter than they do in the warmer months. Restrict them too much when it's cold, and they can end up burning energy they simply don't have to spare.
On the flip side, spring and autumn tend to bring lush pasture growth and more palatable hay, which means even a well-managed horse can pack on weight quickly if you're not paying attention. Palatability plays just as big a role as quantity here. Hay your horse happily grazed from a 40mm / 1 1/4" net in summer might disappear in record time from that very same net come winter, simply because they're hungrier and more motivated to eat.
Hay Type
On top of the seasonal picture, even hay from the exact same paddock can vary dramatically from year to year depending on rainfall, cutting time, and stalkiness. Softer, "yummier" hay is far more forgiving in a smaller hole size, while tougher, stalkier hay might need a slightly larger hole to keep your horse interested and eating consistently. This is why we always encourage reassessing when you get a new batch of hay, rather than assuming last year's hole size will automatically work again.
Here's a general seasonal guide to keep in mind (every horse and every paddock is different, so use this as a starting point rather than a rule):
❄️ Winter: This is the time to ease up. Fibre keeps horses warm from the inside out, so a 40mm or even 60mm (1 3/4" - 2 1/2") hole size is worth considering. You still want to manage wastage, but you don't want to restrict intake when the temperature drops.
🌼 Spring: As the grass returns and takes off, this is the time to reassess. A 30mm - 40mm (1 1/4" - 1 3/4") hole size is worth considering, especially for easy keepers, ponies, or good doers. Sizing back down as you come out of winter helps manage intake before the lush spring grass really kicks in.
☀️ Summer: This one really comes down to your individual horse and the hay you're feeding. 30mm / 1 1/4" tends to suit easy keepers or those on lush pasture, while 40mm / 1 3/4" is a solid starting point for most, with room to size down if needed.
🍂 Autumn: More of a transition season. As temperatures drop and pasture growth slows, it's worth watching your horse's body condition and reassessing whether your current hole size is still doing the job heading into winter. There's no one-size-fits-all here, it comes down to how your horse and paddock are looking as the season shifts.
If you're not sure where to start, 40mm / 1 3/4" is a good general starting point, and you can size up or down from there as you learn what works for your horse through each season.
If your horses go off a hole size that used to work perfectly, it doesn't mean anything's gone wrong. It usually just means the season has changed, the hay has changed, or both. Sizing up in winter and back down as the weather warms is completely normal, and having a couple of different hole sizes on hand means you're always ready to adjust. No hole size purchase is ever wasted.
For the full rundown on everything that affects hole size choice, this is a great help article to read: Which Hole Size Do I Choose?
