Our bags can be used for shod horses. Read on for more information.

<p dir="ltr" id="isPasted" style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 12pt; font-size: 16px; color: rgb(65, 65, 65); font-family: sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; line-height: 1.38; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); padding: 0pt 0pt 12pt;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Inter; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">According to the manufacturer, HayPlay Bags are designed to be safe for horses with shoes. The 3-inch hole size makes it challenging for a horse to fit an entire foot into the hole. Animals with smaller feet tend to fit in and out easily.<p dir="ltr" style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; font-size: 16px; color: rgb(65, 65, 65); font-family: sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; line-height: 1.38; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); padding: 0pt 0pt 12pt;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Inter; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Shod horses that paw at the bag on the ground do run the risk of catching part of the opening between the heel of their shoe and hoof. Should this happen, the HayPlay Bag is designed to tear. This safety feature means your horse is unlikely to get caught or tangled in the same way they might in a traditional hay net.<p dir="ltr" style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; font-size: 16px; color: rgb(65, 65, 65); font-family: sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; line-height: 1.38; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); padding: 0pt 0pt 12pt;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Inter; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We do recommend using baling twine (made from fiber, not plastic) when hanging the bags. If a horse were to get caught somehow (they are horses, after all, meaning anything is possible), the twine would break rather than the bag.<p style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; font-size: 16px; color: rgb(65, 65, 65); font-family: sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Inter; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">For the drawstring bags, we recommend hanging them high enough that the horse is unable to get a hoof near the drawstring opening, any loops of string, or any of the feeding holes. If ground feeding, secure the HayPlay Bag opening with bailing twine then trim the ends off, being careful to leave no loops or openings as demonstrated in this&#xA0;<a href="https://youtu.be/024w60sHPWU" style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: transparent; color: var(--main-primary); text-decoration: none; user-select: auto;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(140, 187, 60); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">tutorial video</a><span style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Inter; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.<p style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; font-size: 16px; color: rgb(65, 65, 65); font-family: sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Inter; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When ground feeding the XL bags, we recommend anchoring them so that if they were to get caught, the bag would rip away rather than follow them around the stall/pasture. Check out&#xA0;<span style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Inter; color: rgb(140, 187, 60); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://gg-equine.gorgias.help/en-US/whats-the-best-way-to-tie-up-the-xl-bag-420616" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">this article</a><span style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Inter; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">&#xA0;for tips to secure the XL Bag. Positioning the bag in the &quot;slumped&quot; way makes it less likely to get stomped on, but still allows for a lower head posture for ground feeding. Another great option may be to put the bag in a water trough or other container s you still get the benefit of ground feeding without worrying about their feet coming into contact with the bag.<a style="text-decoration:none;"></a> <span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:#222222;background-color:#ffffff;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;"><img src="https://attachments.gorgias.help/rkene/hc/g6w6/xl%20in%20stall-eb0cb039-c919-474d-b2b5-1496a1e3ab09.png" style="width: 300px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"><span style="font-size: 12px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The bag in this photo is not anchored to the wall, but does demonstrate the position we have found works best for safety and durability.

Is it safe for horses with shoes?

Yes! Mini hooves are usually smaller than the holes and if they go in, they can come out.

<span id="isPasted" style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Inter; color: rgb(5, 5, 5); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Yes, they are safe for minis. The holes are large enough for a mini to easily put their foot in and out with no issues. The only issue would be if their feet were exactly 3 inches wide, however, most minis are much smaller than that and most horses are much larger.<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0i1vTbEAuo&amp;list=PLvuONXlu_n36hPE8Y_JweEDPncz-EGwvq&amp;index=3" id="isPasted">Miniature Horses Test the HayPlay Bag XL Slow-Feeder (youtube.com)</a>&#xA0;

Are HayPlay Bags safe for minis?

Read more to find out why our hay bags are perfect for horses with teeth issues.

<span id="isPasted" style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:#1d1c1d;background-color:#ffffff;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;">The hay bags are perfect for horses with teeth issues.&#xA0;<span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:#050505;background-color:#ffffff;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;">It is much gentler on their teeth because they aren&#x2019;t biting the actual material but rather going through the &#x201C;hole windows&#x201D; to the hay itself.&#xA0;<span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:#1d1c1d;background-color:#ffffff;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;">When using traditional hay nets, they tend to grab the net, putting strain on both their teeth and neck. With the open-hole design of the HayPlay Bag, we find that their mouths are funneled into, or directed toward, the hole so their teeth aren&apos;t catching on anything. When they pull the hay out, they&apos;re only pulling the weight of the hay in their mouth, not pulling the weight of the entire bag. This causes less strain on teeth, necks, and backs.<span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:#050505;background-color:#ffffff;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;">&#xA0;

Are they safe for older horses, or horses with missing/damaged teeth?

The HayPlay Bag is very tough and durable! Click to read more.

<span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;">The HayPlay Bag is constructed from a food-grade, non-toxic, heavy-duty, marine-grade PVC material that remains flexible in extreme conditions. The material does not hold moisture, so it will not freeze or crack due to the cold. Temperature range: -22F to +158F (-30C to +70C)<span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;">It is very tough and durable! Here&apos;s a video about the&#xA0;<a href="https://youtu.be/oNH39LcUDIE" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="text-decoration:none;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(140, 187, 60); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 700; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">materials and construction</a><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;">&#xA0;of the HayPlay Bags with more information.

Do the bags stand up to extreme temperatures?

Tips and tricks for using HayPlay Bags in rainy or wet conditions.

<span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:#ffffff;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;">The bags do just fine in the rain. The waterproof material keeps the hay from becoming soaked, though it is likely that some rain will get inside the holes. For the snack and half bale size, if they are hung, they should drain with no issues. For the XL bags, especially if they are&#xA0;fed flat on the ground, we would recommend cleaning them out if the hay sits for more than 24 hours. They are very easy to clean. You can simply hose them off inside and out and hang to dry. <span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:#1b1c1d;background-color:#ffffff;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;">It would be great if they didn&apos;t get wet at all, but using these versus hay loose on the ground definitely prevents the hay from getting as wet or muddy, resulting in less waste. Securing the XL bags to the fence so that they&apos;re still partway on the ground, kind of slumped, allows them to drain a little bit and makes it less likely that they&apos;ll get stepped on and have mud tracked in them. Learn more about securing the XL bags here. &#xA0;Another neat option with the hay bags is that if you put them out and you know it&apos;s about to storm, they&#x2019;re easy to take back in and cover with a tarp or put them in a covered area until after the storm. Overall, we&#x2019;ve found that they&apos;ve definitely performed better than other hay feeding options at keeping hay clean and off the muddy ground.

How do they work in the rain or mud?

Tips and tricks for using HayPlay Bags in sandy conditions.

<span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:#222222;background-color:#ffffff;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;">The HayPlay XL would probably be best in sandy conditions since the back of it is solid. Sand might still get in the holes on the top of the bag if they are pawing at it or kicking sand into it, but in general, it is going to keep it to a minimum because of the solid, enclosed material. The other hay bags that roll would also help to keep sand out but since they are rolling around there is the likelihood of more sand getting in them. However, there are also holes for the sand to fall out of in these bags too.&#xA0;

How do the HayPlay bags work in sandy conditions?

<span id="isPasted" style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:#ffffff;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;">They are very easy to clean. You can simply hose them off inside and out and hang to dry&#xA0;<span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;">or wash with a mild soap. Avoid using abrasive cleaners, as this can damage the outer coating.

How easy are they to clean?

These bags are great for soaked hay. Read on for more information.

<span id="isPasted" style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:#ffffff;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;">The hay bags can hold soaked or steamed hay. If you are planning to steam the hay in the bag, please take into account that the bags are designed to withstand temperatures ranging from -22&#xB0;F up to 158&#xB0;F. Be sure to double-check your steam system&#x2019;s highest temperature before opting to steam it in the bag. For soaked or steamed hay the best option is to hang the bags so they can drain. The snack and half bale sizes work great for this. It is very easy to fill the bags with hay, dunk it in a trough, and then hang it up. The XL bags will also work, however we would recommend any wet hay be cleaned out of them and not sit longer than 24 hours since those wouldn&apos;t drain as easily. Also, keep in mind that the material is waterproof (not breathable); therefore, we would recommend hanging it for feeding and cleaning it out regularly to prevent mold.

Can you use it for soaked or steamed hay?

HayPlay Bags are great for the trailer. Small or large, we can advise.

<span id="isPasted" style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:#ffffff;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;">The bags do great in a trailer, they can be tied the same way any hay net would be tied for trailer use. The snack size in particular fits great in a trailer for 1 horse, or we have many people that will hang the XL bag across the whole front of a two horse trailer, allowing two horses to share.

Can they be used in trailers?

<span id="isPasted" style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:#222222;background-color:#ffffff;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;">We&#x2019;ve had great success using the bags with chopped forage. In order to reduce waste in either of the hanging bags, we recommend covering the bottom hole (gorilla tape works great) or put a flake of regular hay down in the bottom to kind of plug that bottom hole and then add the chopped forage on top. That way you won&apos;t lose the chopped forage out the bottom.&#xA0;

Do the bags work with chopped forage?

Less surface area to eat from generally slows horses down. Read on for tips to make it even harder.

<span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:#222222;background-color:#ffffff;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;">There was a lot of research done to optimize hole size so that horses do not have to peck at the bag, as that can strain neck, poll, and back muscles. The thinking behind the solid bag is that most of the bag has *no* holes, whereas a 1-inch haynet has smaller openings but there are openings all over the place. This essentially means the hay surface area in a solid bag with 3-inch holes is actually much less than for a 1-inch net of the same dimensions. Less surface area means less opportunity to eat out of it since the hay moves around in the bag and does not stay just in front of the holes. <span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:#222222;background-color:#ffffff;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;">There are also ways to configure the bags so they are harder to eat from. In particular, the snack and half size bags spin around if hung away from the wall, making it even MORE difficult for the horse to get a bite. When these are ground-fed they roll, so the horse has to move it just to the right spot to get something out (like a puzzle). All of the bags are much harder to eat out of when they are less full than if the hay is packed in very tightly. That said, every horse is different, so some will certainly be able to eat through the bags faster than others. Offering a smaller hole is something we may consider in the future.

Do these bags slow horses down?

Using a hay net in conjunction with our hay bags is possible with some considerations.

<span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:#222222;background-color:#ffffff;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;">Using a hay net in conjunction with our hay bags is possible with some considerations. Our hay bags are designed to be safe for ground feeding under most scenarios, as the holes are typically too small for horses to catch a foot and large enough that miniature horses and donkeys&apos; feet would usually slip right out if they were to get a foot through. With shod horses and those that could get a foot through, the holes would tear enough for them to safely get free in the unlikely event that they were to get a shoe/foot caught. Using a hay net inside of the hay bag would be safe as long as the horse is unshod and their feet are larger than the holes. This is not recommended for shod horses for fear of a shoe getting caught in the net. Most hay nets are not designed to break away. If you plan to use a hay net and a hay bag set up with shod horses, we recommend hanging/tying it up high enough that they can&apos;t get their feet near it.&#xA0;

Can I use a HayPlay Bag with a hay net if I REALLY need to slow my horse down?

Think whitewater raft material, but designed for horses!

<span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:#050505;background-color:#ffffff;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;">The bags are made from a thick, food-grade PVC coated material. The durability and thickness is comparable to what is used for whitewater rafts. They are designed to withstand tough conditions, even horses. If for any reason you do notice an issue in their durability, please reach out to our customer support team as your bag may qualify for a warranty replacement.&#xA0;Please refer to the links below for more detailed information. <span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:#050505;background-color:#ffffff;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;">Check out this video for everything about&#xA0;<span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(140, 187, 60); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNH39LcUDIE" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Materials, Features and Construction</a><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:#050505;background-color:#ffffff;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;">. <span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:#050505;background-color:#ffffff;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;">Detailed warranty information can be found&#xA0;<span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(140, 187, 60); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.gg-equine.com/pages/warranty" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:#050505;background-color:#ffffff;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;">.

How do the bags hold up to destructive horses?

Have a question we weren't able to answer here? This form is the quickest way to hear back from our team. During the work week, we respond to all inquiries within one day. We look forward to hearing from you!

HAYPLAY BAGS