REDUCE HAY WASTE BY 46%
Save on time, hay and money
IMPROVES MENTAL HEALTH
By decreasing stress and keeping your horse occupied
REDUCE INCIDENCE OF CHOKE
Slows down the eating rate, also making them perfect for metabolic conditions
DECREASE BOREDOM IN HORSES
Keeping your steed stimulated, happy and entertained
GutzBusta® Square Bales, can fit both the large square 8x3x3 & 8x4x3 bales as well as round bales of hay.
Our GutzBusta® Square Bales 8x4x3 nets will fit both sizes of large square bales (8x3x3 and 8x4x3). The new design makes them larger and easier to put on. It reduces the incidence of colic, choke, stomach ulcers, boredom, hay wastage, and vices.
This size hay net is basically a 'one size fits all' hay net as it will fit these Large Square Bales, as well as all sizes of round bales. This is how easy it is to adjust the hay net down a size.
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Hay Bale Dimensions:
- 8x3x3 (2.4m x 0.9m x 0.9m)
- 8x4x3 (2.4m x 0.9m x 1.2m)
- 8x3x3 (2.4m x 0.9m x 0.9m)
- Net Hole size: 3cm, 4cm and 6cm in 60ply
- Colour: black
Our 3cm hay nets are now 60ply - the strongest available on the Australian market. Due to the increased thickness of this netting and therefore more material per square meter, this netting costs us more to produce, and hence they are a little more expensive.
Click here for a YouTube movie on how to put a GutzBusta hay net on a Large Square Export Bale 8x3x4 or 8x4x3.
What material are the Gutzbusta® Hay Nets made from?
Our GutzBusta® Slow Feed Hay Nets are made from tough and durable, UV Stabilized, and heat-treated netting in 60ply polyethylene netting. This netting will not absorb water, therefore there is no change to the properties of the netting during inclement weather or if used to soak hay.
What hole size will suit my horse or livestock?
Available in 3cm, 4cm, and 6cm (60ply), our Slow Feed Hay Nets are made from tough, durable, UV Stabilized, and heat-treated 60ply polyethylene netting. This netting is not water absorbent, so you don’t have to worry about your net getting heavy when soaked in water.
3cm hole size
This size is great for gutsy eaters, ponies, laminitic horses, or if your hay is really palatable and you want to slow consumption even more. We recommend this for horses and ponies that have tried slow feed hay nets before. While some horses may be frustrated by this size, others accept it without hesitation.
Despite no top teeth, we also have customers whose cattle can still eat from this size with palatable hay. Available in strong and durable 60ply. 60ply is not offered by any other slow feed business in Australia in 3cm sized holes. Available in 60ply.
4cm hole size
Our most popular hole size. 95% of horses have no trouble accepting this hole size. It's also perfect for cattle, sheep, goats, donkeys, and alpacas, too. Available in 60ply.
6cm hole size
Works well for broodmares, old horses, young horses, or any horse, cow, sheep, alpaca, or goat that you aren't trying to restrict hay consumption with, but still want to reduce hay wastage. You can also use less palatable, coarse, or stalky hay with this size.
We have more information to help you choose what sized hole hay net is best suited to your horse, pony, or livestock here.
Note: Please make sure that the hoof size is greater than the hole size if you are allowing hoof access to this net. Hanging the net higher or putting a hay ring or physical barrier is also recommended for shod horses or if young horses have access to nets where hoof size may be an issue.
Why use GutzBusta® Slow Feed Hay Nets?
Studies have shown that using slow feed hay nets such as our GutzBusta® Hay Net Feeders also decreases wastage by up to 46%. We’ve been making hay nets for over 8 years and we know how the netting behaves over time. This is why we developed a size and pattern that works to enable these nets to last longer.
Our GutzBusta® Large Square Bales are easy to put on and come with a large drawstring to easily secure the hay net around your square bale.
Our products are the most generously sized and designed to be easier to put on compared to other hay nets available in the market.
For more information and photos about our hay nets, please visit our livestock page and our FAQ & Help page.
How to use GutzBusta® Large Square Bales?
Simply place your large square bale on its side so you can cut and remove the strings easily, then open up and lay the hay net along the top of the bale. Pull the net down towards the ground until it totally surrounds the bale, then take up the slack with the drawstring and secure the net around the bale. If you have a tractor or ute then you can gently tip the bale up slightly from one long side and then the other to be able to put the netting underneath the bale. Although this net will not totally encapsulate an 8x3x4 bale, it will come close and these bales are too heavy to be pushed over by a horse anyway.
Our blog page gives an extensive pictorial and video on how to put the hay nets on these bales.
These bales can weigh from 500kg to 700kg, we do suggest that you leave one string in place on your bale (bottom or second bottom string) to give the bale and net support until some of the bulk of the hay has been taken out. Once some of the bulk is eaten from the bale, then we recommend cutting and removing this final string.
When you tie up and secure the drawstring, make sure the excess rope is either tied back up into the net itself or that you tie a knot in the drawstring at the base of the net. Then, undo the simple knot at the end of the drawstring. You can leave the remaining drawstring loose or once you have pulled up and tied it off into the net, or you can put the remaining drawstring under the bale (if you have a tractor or are able to lift or tip the bale). Although this is related to round bale, you may wish to watch this movie for more ideas on how to deal with your drawstring.
Caution:
- Shoes: If your horse is shod then simply tie your net up a little higher if it is a smaller net. If you are using a round bale or larger size net, then put your net inside a large box, hay ring or other device that stops their feet from coming into contact with their hay net. Direct contact of shoes and nets is not recommended.
- It is not recommended to leave buckled halters or other types of buckled headgear on your horse when using ANY type of hay net as your horse may get caught.
- Similarly, do not let horned animals such as cattle, sheep or goats eat from the nets due to possible entanglement.
- Cattle or stock with ear tags are cautioned from eating from the hay nets as they may rub their head and potentially remove the ear tags.
FAQs
Which Hole Size should I choose?
When choosing a hay net hole size, several factors should be considered. Here is a summary of the key points for each hole size mentioned:
20mm Sized Holes:
- Suitable for "expert level" ponies that can eat from 30mm hay nets at impressive speeds.
- Recommended for horses or ponies that have mastered eating from a 30mm hay net.
- Ideal for feeding Lucerne to greedy horses or ponies.
30mm Sized Holes:
- Great for voracious eaters, such as ponies, minis, and horses familiar with slow feed hay nets.
- Laminitic horses usually benefit from 30mm sized hay nets.
- Relieves boredom for stabled horses or as a backup net for when the first hay net empties.
- Recommended for gutzy horses, ponies, or livestock, especially with palatable hay or slow feed experience.
- Not commonly used for goats, cows, or sheep, but some may use it with palatable hay.
40mm Sized Holes:
- The most popular hole size for slow feeding, accepted by over 90% of horses.
- Suitable for slightly stalky hay, providing hay-saving benefits and increasing hay longevity.
60mm Sized Holes:
- Ideal for saving on hay without significant restriction.
- Commonly used with low-sugar or coarse and stalky hay, great for older horses and cattle.
- Suitable for pregnant broodmares or younger horses where slow feeding is unnecessary.
- Caution: Ensure hoof size is larger than netting size for horse safety.
General Considerations:
- GutzBusta 40mm holes are a good starting point, with flexibility to go up or down in size.
- Weather and hay type can influence the suitable hole size.
- Palatability determines the hole size, with more palatable hay allowing for smaller holes.
- Horse's health status, weight, and workload should be considered when choosing a hole size.
- 40mm and 60mm sizes are suitable for saving on wastage, while 30mm slows down eating.
- Monitor horse's response when introducing a new hay net to avoid over-facing.
- Different livestock can use various hole sizes, with 40mm being common.
- Different hole sizes are used throughout the year, for various hays, health conditions, and weight management.
- Be cautious with shod horses and use appropriate hay rings/feeder to prevent entanglement.
- If you intend to soak hay in your net, we recommend rinsing the net in cold water prior to first use for a few minutes.
Which Bag Size should I choose?
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Extra Small: Float/yard sized net capable of holding up to 1 generous biscuit of hay. Suitable for stables, yards, and floats.
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Small: Float/yard sized net capable of holding up to 3 generous biscuits of hay. Versatile and strong, suitable for stables, yards, and floats.
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Medium: Capable of holding up to 4-6 biscuits or half a bale of hay. Ideal as an overnight net for stables, yards, and floats.
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Large: Full small bale-sized net available. Easy to load a full small bale of hay into. Suitable for stables, yards, and paddocks.
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Extra Large: Perfectly fits a 3-Stringer Bale.
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Round Bale: Available for different round bale sizes (3x4, 4x4, 5x4, 6x4). Comes in various net sizes (3cm, 4cm, 6cm).
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8x3x3 / 8x4x3 / 8x4x4: Large square bales in sizes 8x4x4, 8x4x3 and 8x3x3. Available in different net sizes (3cm, 4cm, 6cm). Can fit all sizes of round bales.
Note: Custom sizes are not available for premade hay nets.
Knotless vs Knotted
Our Knotted and knotless hay nets are made from UV-stabilized polyethylene netting and have been in use for 8 years. They come in various ply sizes and are tough, durable, and easily repairable. They have been used by many horses and can last 2 to 6 years. Knotted nets are suitable for soaking hay and do not take on the weight of water. They are available in black and offer hole sizes of 30mm, 40mm, and 60mm.
On the other hand, the knotless hay nets are made from high-strength, UV Stabilised polypropylene and have been available since 2019. They are softer and do take on some weight when soaked. The deluxe knotless nets are considered more luxurious and have become popular due to their softness. They are the strongest on the market with 240 ply and come in hole sizes of 20mm, 30mm, 40mm, and 60mm. Knotless nets are also only available in black.
When it comes to strength and longevity, there isn't a significant difference between knotted and knotless nets. Both types have proven to be tough, durable, and long-lasting. While some horses may prefer one material over the other, there is no way to predict which will suit an individual horse better without trying them. Ultimately, the lifespan of the nets depends on the individual horse and usage. Knotted nets have been used for 2 to 6 years without needing repairs, while the lifespan of knotless nets is still unknown after 3 years of use.
Returns & Exchanges
We want you to be completely satisfied with your purchase from our store. If you have any issues with your order, please contact us at Gutzbusta so that we can make it right. We have a clear and concise Returns and Refund Policy to make the process as smooth as possible.
Returning Items
To return an item, please contact us at our customer service team via the email below. Make sure to include your order number when contacting staff.
Please pack the item securely in its original packaging and include all accessories and documentation, making sure the order number is clearly visible on the box. We will not accept items that have been modified or used in any way. You are responsible for the cost of return shipping, unless the item is damaged or faulty.
Email: admin@gutzbusta.co.nz
Postal Address:
GutzBusta Hay Nets
Unit 7 / 1-13 Childs Road
Chipping Norton NSW 2170
Change of Mind
We accept returns for change of mind within 30 days of purchase. These can included swapping or exchanging item(s) for different sizes. The item(s) must be unused, in their original packaging, and in the same condition as when you received them.
We will issue a refund for the purchase price of the item(s) once we receive the item(s), excluding any shipping costs. While this process is under way, it is better to re-order with the correct item(s) to ensure your exchanged item(s) are delivered to you in a timely manner.
Incorrect Items Received
If you received the incorrect item(s), please contact us immediately. We will cover the cost of shipping the incorrect item(s) back to us. We will issue a replacement as soon as possible to you at no extra cost.
Damaged or Faulty Returns
If you receive damaged or faulty item(s), please contact us immediately. We will require photographic evidence of the damage or fault before we can process a return. We will cover the cost of shipping the item(s) back to us, and we will issue a replacement or full refund as soon as possible.
Damaged in Use
If your horse is using our nets and the net becomes damaged during use, please contact us immediately. We will require photographic evidence of the damage as well as the order number. Depending on the situation, we may offer a repair kit or exchange, subject to our discretion. Please note that general wear and tear, or damage caused by misuse may not be covered under our returns and refund policy.
Refunds
Once we receive your returned item(s), we will inspect it to ensure that they are in resalable condition. If the item(s) are in resalable condition, we will issue a refund to the original payment method within 7 business days. Please note that it may take up to 10 business days for the refund to appear on your account, depending on your bank or credit card company.
Thank you for shopping with us. If you have any questions or concerns about our Returns and Refund Policy, please do not hesitate to contact us.