Feeding hay exclusively from nets has no negative effects on a horse’s dental health, according to research from the University of Wisconsin–River Falls.

For the two-year study, the Wisconsin researchers randomly assigned 13 horses to one of two groups—one group was fed hay only from nets, and the other fed flakes. After one year, the groups were switched. Throughout the study period, the researchers tracked each horse’s body weight and body condition score (BCS), and they weighed the amount of hay found uneaten on the ground. Additionally, clinicians who were not aware of each horse’s respective feeding groups performed regular dental exams, measuring incisor length and noting any dental abnormalities. In particular, they looked for signs of uneven tooth wear.

The collected data showed that horses fed loose hay had higher body weights and body condition scores than those being fed from nets. Those horses also seemed to waste more hay. What’s more, the researchers found no indication that feeding horses from nets increased the risk of uneven dental wear. “These data suggest that hay nets do not result in negative impacts on dental health,” the researchers conclude.

Reference: “Effect of hay nets on horse body weight,  body condition score, hay usage, and dental health in mature adult horses,” Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, May 2024

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