Your horse's hay intake doesn't stay the same year-round, and the net hole size shouldn't either.
If you've had the same hay net setup running all year without a second thought, you're not alone. But here's the thing, your horse's hay intake doesn't stay the same year-round, and the net size you're using could be working against you without you even realising it.
As the seasons shift so do your horse's energy needs, and making a small adjustment to how you're feeding could make a big difference to their health, their waistline and your hay bill!
Why Seasons Matter More Than You Think
Horses use hay fibre to generate body heat, so in the depths of winter they genuinely need more access to hay than they do in the warmer months. Restricting them too much during cold weather can leave them burning energy they don't have to spare.
On the flip side, spring and autumn bring lush pasture growth and often more palatable hay, which means even a well-managed horse can start packing on the kilos quickly if you're not keeping an eye on things.
It's not just about quantity either, palatability plays a big role in which hole size works at different times of year. A hay that your horse happily ate from a 4cm net in summer might fly out of that same net in winter when they're hungrier and more motivated to eat!
What size hole do I need?
A Simple Seasonal Guide
❄️ Winter: This is the time to ease up a little, fibre keeps horses warm from the inside out, so you could go up to a 40mm or even a 60mm hole size. You still want to reduce wastage, but you don't want to restrict them when the temperature drops.
🌼 Spring: As pasture returns and the grass gets going again, this is the time to reassess. A 30mm to 40mm hole size is worth considering here, especially for easy keepers, ponies, or horses that tend to carry extra weight! Coming out of winter, sizing back down helps manage intake before the lush grass really kicks in.
☀️ Summer: This season comes down to your individual horse and the type of hay you're feeding. A 30mm is great for easy keepers/lush pasture, while a 40mm is generally a solid starting point, with room to go smaller if needed.
🍂 Autumn: This is more of a transition season as temperatures start dropping and pasture growth slows, it's worth keeping an eye on 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 really comes down to how your horse and paddock are looking as the season shifts.
As a general rule, a 40mm hole is a great starting point if you're not sure where to begin, and you can go up or down from there as you learn what works for your horse through each season.
