Feeding hay on a track system: a short guide

Maddie Sharpe

Aug 26

4 min read

Many new track system owners are unsure how to feed hay for their horses or herd. However, hay and hay stations are vital components in the design and function of a successful track system, so it is important to give it some thought.

Before we jump in, it's important to remember:

For your track system to work properly, you must be feeding the right type of hay
Hay should always be available
We want to encourage movement between hay stations
We want to reduce the risk of conflict between herd members and overall, decrease anxiety around forage

Sizing

The two typical ways in which hay is normally fed is by using large, netted bales or regular sized hay nets.

Large, netted bales are normally only suitable for large herds and large track systems as they can easily encourage camping. One of the key benefits to a track system is the opportunity for increased movement, so it's important that how we feed our hay does not interfere with this function. Sometimes it isn't practical to feed large herds small hay nets from an owner's point of view, so this is where feeding in this way can be helpful.

Feeding smaller hay nets is what most track system owners do as it is normally a much more effective way at encouraging the horses to move from one area to another. However, smaller nets should still be used on the premise that there is always hay available, there are plenty of stations to minimise any possibilities of conflict amongst the herd and that they are placed thoughtfully.

Hay Stations

When designing your track system, deciding on the placement of your hay stations and the general size of them is very important. Where you put your hay stations is probably the most important step to building a track system.

What you'll need to consider:

The size of your herd

Larger herds may need more room around their hay stations to move freely without causing arguments or causing any anxiety around the forage itself. Some horses may not want to directly share with others but may still want to be in sight of their herd members.

How you're feeding your hay

Think about whether you will be feeding large bales or my recommended way, smaller hay nets. Using smaller hay nets will typically mean dispatching them in more areas across your track system, whilst being mindful of their reasons for walking and moving. For example, don't put your hay stations too close to your water and shelter.

Resource guarding or anxious horses

If a member of your herd struggles with resource guarding issues or anxiety then you will need to take this into consideration when designing your track system and how you will dispatch your hay. In our experience, resource guarding horses need continual access to forage to unlearn unhealthy behaviours and plenty of room to minimise the effect this may have on the remaining members of the herd short-term.

As mentioned above, some horses may not want to share straight away but panic when out of view from the rest of the herd. This is where having hay spaced apart but in the same general area can be helpful. Additionally, make sure there is plenty of room to move around the hay so the possibility of a horse getting caught in fencing or backed into a corner is slim.

Ways to provide hay

Large hay bales are commonly placed directly on the floor once netted, whilst others will use hay trailers or large hay boxes.

Large netted bales directly on the ground -

Pros:

Easy and simple
The only piece of equipment you need is the net itself
No set location
Accessible to all sized horses

Cons:

Can sometimes create a mess
If muddy, the net can become muddy, heavy and difficult to lift once empty (this could be helped with something like Mud Control Slabs or Jelka Mats underneath and around the hay bale

The hay trailer -

Pros:

Materials can be reused or repurposed to make the actual trailer - we repurposed an ordinary trailer frame
Portable and able to be moved easily by towing
Keeps the hay off the floor where they are unable to wee or poo on it
Keeps the hay out of the mud and nets clean
Accessible to most horses when full

Cons:

If making yourself, requires knowledge of tools
Can become difficult to move in winter if the track itself is too muddy
Requires something like a tractor or 4x4 to move

Large hay boxes -

Pros:

Materials can be reused or repurposed if making yourself from scratch
Keeps the hay off the floor where they are unable to wee or poo on it
Keeps the hay out of the mud and nets clean
Accessible to most horses when full
Can add a roof, depending on style and practicality, to cover the hay from rain

Cons:

If making yourself, requires knowledge of tools
Can be hard to move depending on weight and is better used as a more permanent hay station

Photo courtesy of Hollytree Track System

To provide smaller amounts of hay or small hay nets, it is common to utilise smaller hay boxes, trees and tree branches, hay bells, wooden posts and more.

Trees & branches -