HayPal Flat Bottom Hay Nets & Hay Net Fillers
Our hay nets are:
…knotless, 100% polyester, and bound with webbing along the bottom surface instead of with a metal clip. This flat bottom approach means that the whole length of the hay net is available for use, it is arguably easier to fill, and there is NO METAL anywhere near your horse’s mouth. Our nets are also wider in circumference compared to many others available on the market. In 2026, HayPal increased our thread count by 50%, further strengthening our product, and we also introduced a 1” hole-size net to the program. HayPal nets are sold with or without a rope & cord lock. If you are replacing an older hay net from one of our feeders, please buy the replacement net, as you will not need the rope & cord lock.
available in 1.5” and 1” hole sizes
knotless
100% polyester
5mm thick (heavy duty)
extra wide to fit our feeders (approx 80” circumference)
flat-bottom design for better airflow
50% higher thread count than our previous nets
HayPal designed three systems that will simplify the filling of multiple hay nets, improve your work flow, save you time, save you money, save hay, and improve your horse’s general health by slowing down and extending their intake of forage.
Hay Net Fillers:
Hay Net Filler (wall-mounted)
Hay Net Filler (freestanding unit)
Weigh Pal Feed System (weigh & load hay nets for accurate feeding)
HayPal ships directly to customers or, if you find yourself in Kelowna, BC, HayPal products are now available at Diamond H Tack.
The back story…
When we arrived at our boarding facility in 2017, staff was filling 90 hay nets per day (30 horses x 3 feeds). Here’s a quick look at the math: 90 nets @ 1 minute to fill (opening up the net and loading hay manually) is at least 1.5 hours of labour. 90 nets @ 15-30 seconds to fill (using our hay net loader) cuts labour down to 30-45 minutes. We developed the freestanding Hay Net Filler and the wall-mounted Hay Net Filler. Both units significantly reduce the time required to fill a hay net. The side benefits include less hay waste and happier staff.
The next step was to simplify weighing hay. Why not weigh and fill at the same time? It is now a one-step task with the Weigh Pal. Feeding by weight eliminates the guesswork of how many flakes to feed which horse. Vets love the Weigh Pal system, as do boarding facilities because of better use of resources and the ability to support the needs of horses with metabolic issues.
We decided to make our own hay nets. After researching a multitude of options, we built a net with 1.5” hole-size with 50% higher thread count than the nets we originally sourced. Our nets have a wide circumference (for easier filling) and they are 100% polyester (retains its strength better over time in outdoor conditions and is resistant to UV rays, mildew, moisture and stretching; absorbs less liquid, keeping the net softer over the long term). We are very happy with this product and are awaiting delivery of 1” hole-size nets. But we weren’t quite done….
HayPal’s Flat-Bottom Nets
In mid-2026, HayPal changed the way we do hay nets. Our new flat-bottom nets feature a double-seam webbing closure rather than a metal fitting to close the bottom of the net. We really like this new system for the following reasons:
there is no metal in contact with the horse’s teeth/mouth
there is better air flow at the bottom of the net (which reduces potential moisture and bacterial build-up)
better access to all of the hay in the net (no bunched up bits in the bottom of the net)
use of the full length of the net (the bottom of the net is full width, and holds more hay)
arguably easier to fill (so we’ve been told by customers)
the net is a bit lighter (better for shipping costs)
the net lies flat when empty and folds easily for storage
Over several weeks of testing we were very pleased with the results of the flat-bottom nets. Our local tack store said, “I really think the stitched bottom is brilliant for all those reasons; the less hardware the better. Keep up the great work.”
We would love your input on this new approach. Contact us anytime with your feedback and pictures.
-
Hay nets slow down a horse’s rush for food and extend the length of time horses eat their meals. This reduces the risk of colic, ulcers and gastrointestinal issues. Slower eating equals less tummy troubles, equals fewer vet bills, equals happier horses and humans.
-
Save hours of labour costs, and build a happier team!
Here is an example of the cost savings at a 20-horse barn: 3 feeds per day x 3-5 minutes per net for a total of 2-3 hours per day.
What can HayPal do to save me time? Ideas include: (1) using a freestanding hay net filler to load these same 60 nets, or (2) having Universal Slow Feeders at each paddock. Estimated fill time per net or feeder: 30 seconds per net for a total of 30 minutes per day of actual stuffing hay.
How does this reduce stress on the farm? (1) gone is the stress associated to wondering where and how whomever is feeding today is going to hang the hay nets, and how high! (2) gone is the tiring work of unhooking, opening up, stuffing with hay, closing and rehooking 60 nets. We have witnessed farm workers feel weight lifted off their shoulders.
These systems literally improve staff morale and will likely reduce YOUR stress. It’s comforting to know that you’ve done your best for your equine partners, and for your staff.
-
Horses spend more time feeding, and less time worrying about their next meal. They learn the routine and the system seems to equate with reduced behavioural issues.
-
When you use HayPal hay net feeders, each horse requires only one hay net, eliminating potential additional charges (ie: hay net filling charges). This is one of the factors motivating the development of our products.
-
HayPal products are built of aluminum and stainless steel. We use only the best materials available, and our feeders do not rust. HayPal is a professional system built to last a lifetime.
HayPals are made to withstand the temperatures of Canada and rigors of the horse world.
Why use hay net slow feeders?
Hay Nets: 101
Hay nets should be hung low enough to the ground that your horse feeds with its neck angled downward from the withers. This keeps the horse’s neck in a natural eating position and reduces any potential stress on their neck and back. At the same time, ensure that the bottom of the hay net sits a minimum of 6” off the ground. You do not want your horse stepping on the net.
Hay net material options: polyester, polypropylene (PPE), nylon
We have developed proprietary nets that are knotless, 100% polyester material, and 50% higher thread count than nets that we were previously able to source. Why do we prefer polyester? In general, polyester absorbs less water & stays softer than nylon. Customers often comment on the softer finish of the net over extended periods of time.
Net Structure: knotless (1st image) or knotted (2nd image)
This choice is primarily a personal preference. Some opinions feel that knotless nets may be more gentle on a horse’s teeth. Research is ongoing. HayPal has chosen to create knotless nets to eliminate any concern about potential tooth damage from interacting with knotted nets.
Hay Net Mesh (Hole Size):
Are bigger or smaller holes better for my horse? Bigger holes equals faster eating; smaller holes, slower eating. Your choice of hole size (known technically as ‘mesh’ size) is dependent upon the needs of your horse. A big horse that needs a lot of hay may do quite well with a larger hole size (2-3-4 inches), but in general the goal is to slow down and regulate feeding.
HayPal’s primary hay net is 1.5” mesh. We feel this is a size that works with most horses. It is not too small for a horse that is new to hay nets, yet it does a good job of slowing down most horses. Most horses adapt well to this size and do not stress about accessing food.
Some nets are as large as 4” holes. These nets are primarily designed to keep hay off the ground rather than slowing feeding down.
Hay Net Best Practices
Keep an empty hay net minimum 6” off the ground (adjust net length or placement of feeder to reach this minimum)
Head angle: Position nets so that the horse’s neck is in a downward angle from the withers
Not recommended for shod horses
Research Sources
Effect of hay nets on subluxations, pain-pressure thresholds, and cervical range of motion in the axial skeleton of adult horses (Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, February 2025) Hay nets can influence neck & cervical vertebrae; head position is important. Nets did not alter jaw, poll or wither pain-pressure thresholds.
Hay Nets, Horse Body Weight, Body Condition, and Dental Health (The Horse, September 19, 2024, based on the study linked in the previous listing) Hay nets can help horse owners reduce hay waste and prolong feeding time, which can reduce horse boredom and promote a more natural style of trickle feeding without negative effects to the horse’s dental health.
Studying the Shape Variations of the Back, the Neck, and the Mandibular Angle of Horses Depending on Specific Feeding Postures Using Geometric Morphometrics (Edited by Chris W Rogers; posted on National Library of Medicine, US) Different feeding positions are able to modify the shape of back and neck postures; best practice is head below height of withers, a more natural feeding position.
“How to use slow-feed haynets and slow feeders without endangering your horse’s limbs, hooves, and teeth”Article published in The Horse, April 19, 2021 by Christa Leste-Lasserre
For more information, visit our FAQ section.
