How to Cover a 4x4 Round Bale with a 2cm (3/4") Hay NetUpdated an hour ago

Using a 4x4 Knotless Round Bale 2cm (3/4") GutzBusta Hay Net, is the newest hole size in our range. It is purely for extreme 'expert level' status ponies that can still manage to devour from 30mm / 1 ¼” hay nets at quite impressive speeds. 

It is ideal to use when:

• You need to significantly slow down intake
• You have horses or ponies that are very efficient eaters
• You are managing weight or metabolic conditions
• You want to extend feeding time as much as possible

This hole size works best with softer, finer, and more palatable hay types, such as lucerne or soft pasture hay, where horses can still comfortably pull fibres through the smaller openings. Due to the tighter mesh, feeding rates are reduced significantly, helping to promote more controlled intake and minimise overconsumption.

Please note that how you cover a round bale may vary depending on how compact or loose the bale is, as well as your environment, but this is the method used in this example.

In this video, the round bale was quite loose, so the steps were adjusted to suit this.

Step 1: Position the hay net over the top of the round bale, ensuring the opening is fully spread out. Then pull the netting down evenly around the whole round bale and as far as possible on the ground.

Step 2: Flip the bale 180 degrees, so it top of the bale is now on the bottom and the drawstring opening is now at the top.

Step 3: Take down the slow feed hay netting a little bit on the round bale so you can pull off the bale netting which contains the hay. Because the slow feed hay net is now at the bottom any loose hay that falls will be captured by the net.

Step 4: If you have two people doing this its a great idea that someone pulls off the bale netting while someone pulls up the slow feed hay netting. (See video)

Step 5: Once the bale netting has been pulled off, pull up the slow feed hay net and secure the drawstring. 

Step 6: Roll the bale onto a pallet or mat. This is important as it stops the moisture from the ground coming up through the bale of the hay bale. Over time this leads to about 10cm / 3.93" of hay being wasted.

Step 7: Secure the net by tightening the drawstring. In this video below, the bale was placed under a shelter, so I pulled and tied the drawstring to the top of the shelter structure to keep the drawstring and opening out of the way. 

This is just one method of covering a round bale. For an alternative technique, see our guide on how to cover a 4x4 round bale with a 6cm (2½") hay net.

If you have any specific questions about covering a round bale or a set up please feel free to contact us, we’re happy to help.