The hay net has long been a controversial topic in the equine world. It can extend the eating and chewing time for the horse but is also reviled for several reasons. A team of Italian researchers has now examined the importance of the actual location of the net and have found that it really does matter how high you hang it. Something that biomechanics expert Gillian Higgins also agrees with.

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The best surroundings for the horse are those that are as close to its natural environment as possible. And according to the Italian research team, the height at which the horses eat is very important in that regard. The height from which the eating takes place affects both posture and the way the horse uses its teeth.

“We know from riding that there are certain body positions that are more optimal for the horse than others. But what about when we feed them?” asks Emanuela Valle from the Department of Veterinary Science at the University of Turin in Italy.

High placed hay net changes the horse's poisture

In the study, six warmblooded horses were observed eating from three different positions: from the ground, from a knee heigh net, and from a net placed above mane.

The results showed that the lowest placed net gave the same back posture in the horses as if they ate from the ground. Here, the large back muscle Longissimus Dorsi was extended and activated. When eating from the highest placed net, in turn, the backs of the horses were noticeably altered, and the muscles were shortened.

Another parameter that was examined was the angle between the horse's jaw line and the neck. It was noticed that the angle between the two anatomical points became more and more narrow when the horse ate with its head high.

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Both raised eating heights changed the neck position and the angle of the lower jaw. It became especially extreme when the neck was lifted above the mane,” concludes Emanuela Valle.

You may also like to read: 10 things your horse should not eat

MAINTAIN THE RIGHT POSTURE

According to Gillian Higgins, there are several benefits to feeding the horse in a low position, and preferably from the ground as it...

• Ensures that the back is positioned correctly and that the correct posture through the cervical and thoracic vertebrae is maintained because the neck and back ligaments are activated. When feeding high, the horse stands for a long time and eats with its back lowered and its head in an unnatural position. This adds unnecessary strain on the entire musculoskeletal system.
• Stimulates the muscles and the structures that support the back and carry the rider's weight.
• Is best for the horse's breathing, as the mucous membranes remove dust from the airways via the nostrils using gravity.
• Will serve as the best for the horse's digestion and saliva production.
• Enables efficient use of the chewing mechanism and contributes to proper wear of the teeth.

Remember the safety when using a hay net

If you use a hay net, remember to position it in such a way that the horse's shoes and/or legs cannot get stuck in it. Especially the low-hanging hay nets can generate an increased risk.

SOURCES

"The Horse Biomechanics" by Gillian Higgins

Hay-Feeder Height Affects Neck, Back, and Jaw Postures