Hay Types & Suggested Hay Net Hole SizesUpdated an hour ago
One of the most common questions we get asked is 'What size hole hay net should I choose'. One of the factors that determine this, is to ask "what hay are you using?"
Forage plays a critical role in maintaining a healthy digestive system for horses, ponies, and livestock. Because pasture availability, nutritional value, and sugar levels can change throughout the year due to weather, seasonal growth, and environmental conditions, hay is often required to make up for shortfalls in natural grazing. It’s important to understand that hay is not a uniform product, even hay from the same supplier or paddock can vary.
Many factors influence the sugar and nutritional content of hay. These include the time of day it is cut, the maturity of the plant, rainfall before or after cutting, soil quality, and whether the plant was stressed by drought or rapid growth. Visual appearance alone does not reliably indicate sugar or starch levels, which is why testing is the only way to know hay composition with certainty.
Understanding that hay types and sugar levels can change helps explain why hay net hole size may also need to change over time, rather than being a fixed, one-size-fits-all decision.
A Quick Guide on Hay Types, Sugar Risk & Suggested Hay Net Hole Sizes
| Hay Type | General Characteristics | Sugar / Risk Considerations | Suggested Hay Net Hole Sizes | Tips |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lucerne | Highly palatable, high protein and calcium, high in essential amino acids. | Typically lower sugar but very energy dense. Can contribute to weight gain and obesity if overfed. | 2cm / ¾″ 3cm / 1¼″ 4cm / 1½″ | Best fed as no more than 1/3 of daily forage. Avoid feeding as the sole forage source. |
| Grass / Pasture Hay | Varies greatly depending on grass species and growing conditions. | Sugar levels vary widely. Ryegrass and clover can be high sugar. Appearance does not indicate sugar content. | 2cm / ¾″ 3cm / 1¼″ 4cm / 1½″ 6cm / 2½″ | Hole size may need to change as hay type and palatability changes. |
| Rhodes Grass | Generally consistent with good mineral balance. | Typically lower sugar, but nutrient value declines as seed head increases. | 4cm / 1½″ to start 3cm / 1¼″ if very palatable | Often suitable for laminitic or IR horses, but testing is still recommended. |
| Teff Hay | Fine, soft grass hay; sometimes less palatable depending on batch. | Often low sugar, but levels can increase depending on cutting time, soil nutrition, and plant stress. | 3cm / 1¼″ 4cm / 1½″ 2cm / ¾″ for very greedy horses | Never assume Teff is low sugar. Testing is strongly recommended, especially for laminitic or Cushing’s horses. |
| Oaten / Cereal Hay | Can range from stalky and coarse to soft and highly palatable. | Sugar levels vary widely and can be very high, especially if drought-stressed or cut late. | 3cm / 1¼″ 4cm / 1½″ | Monitor intake closely. Use caution for laminitic, insulin-resistant, or easy-keeper horses. |
If you are unsure about the sugar content or nutritional value of your hay, consider having it tested or seeking advice from an equine nutritionist, particularly if you are feeding laminitic, insulin-resistant, or easy-keeper horses. While testing may involve some costs, it can often prevent unnecessary supplementation and help you make more informed feeding decisions.
When testing isn’t possible, focus on controlling intake rather than trying to source “perfect” hay. Adjusting hay net hole size, offering multiple nets with different hole sizes, and monitoring how your horse eats are practical ways to manage intake when hay types or conditions change. Paying attention to your horse’s body condition, behaviour, and overall health will always be more reliable than relying on appearance alone.
If you’re ever unsure, changing hole size as your hay changes, rather than sticking rigidly to one option can help support consistent, healthy forage intake over time.
For more information on Why Hay Net Hole Size Can Change Depending on Your Hay Type please read our article HERE.