Slow-feed HayPlay Bag

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$ 99.95 USD
Regular price
Sale price
$ 99.95 USD
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    Non-toxic, ultra-durable, easy-fill, slow-feed hay bags that can be hung up in the stall or thrown in the paddock for enrichment (see: how to tie your bag safely for ground feeding). Made of heavy-duty, weatherproof, PVC-coated material, this bag can stand up to the toughest conditions. It will not crack or weaken in extremely cold or hot temperatures. 

    Triple-reinforced, 3-inch holes were specifically designed to slow intake while allowing the horse to eat naturally, reducing neck and back strain caused by pecking at small-hole nets. 

    These slow-feed hay bags keep hay entirely contained and clean, resulting in virtually NO hay loss. Haynets on average result in 10-15% of hay being lost because it ends up in the bedding or dirt. Because these bags are solid, very little hay falls out when the horse is eating. They also greatly reduce dust and allergies that cause respiratory and breathing issues. 

    Sizes:

    • Half dimensions: 37 inches (95cm) tall x 19.5 inches (50cm) diameter ~ half bale 
    • Snack dimensions: 30 inches (75cm) tall x 15 inches (40cm) diameter ~ 3 flakes

    SHIPPING: FREE standard shipping on all US orders. For shipping costs and details, see our shipping page

    Slow-feed HayPlay Bag
    Slow-feed HayPlay Bag
    Slow-feed HayPlay Bag
    Slow-feed HayPlay Bag
    Slow-feed HayPlay Bag
    Slow-feed HayPlay Bag

    Video

    FAQs

    How to use

    Hanging it up: Use rope to cinch the bag closed and tie to hang. For safety, we recommend using baling twine at the point of attachment so it will breakaway in case of emergency.

    Ground feeding: You can place the HayPlay Bags on the ground so your horse can roll and toss them as an enrichment and slow-feeding activity. Make sure to tie the bag so that there are no loose parts of rope for the horse to get tangled in. You can also use baling twine instead of the rope to tie the bag so it will breakaway in case of emergency.
    For more information see our video on how to tie your bag safely

    How Much Hay is in a Bale?

    Where the half-bale size HayPlay Bag is concerned, you might wonder what manner of bale we mean!

    For our purposes, we are talking about the East coast / 2-string bale of hay, around 50lbs. So our "half-bale" can hold around 25 pounds of hay.

    Our bags vs hay nets

    Slow-feed hay nets can cause a lot of neck and back strain because the horse has to peck at the hay. Our bags offer larger holes, which reduce strain and tension.

    In fact, the hole size in our bags was rigorously tested and designed specifically to be large enough to allow stress-free eating but small enough to slow them down.

    What is the bag made of? Is it durable?

    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, crack, or become rigid. Temperature range: -22F to +158F (-30C to +70C)

    It is very tough and durable. Here's a video about the materials and construction of the HayPlay Bags!

    We offer a 1-year, one-time replacement warranty that coversthe following: all hardware parts, the stitching around the holes, and tears in the material larger than 1 inch. Normal wear and tear on the bags, like the outer coating wearing down and minor cracking, is not covered.

    We are confident that the bags will maintain their usability for a long time, so please reach out if any minor damage becomes a larger issue that qualifies for a replacement.

    Can a 3" hole really slow intake?

    There is a big difference in how horses eat from a hay net vs these bags. Even the smallest 1" slow-feed hay nets have more open surface area than our bags. So even though the HayPlay bags have larger openings, there are fewer of them and hay is less exposed because it is enclosed.

    Our experience is that the "snack-size" bag will last a typical horse about 4 hours, the half-bale size about a day or night, and the bale size about 20 hours.

    Is it safe for horses with shoes?

    Yes, they are safe for shod horses! Unlike hay nets, these bags are a solid material so there is no netting for legs or shoes to get entangled in.

    We do recommend using baling twine (fiber, not plastic) when hanging the bags, so if a horse were to get caught somehow (since they are horses), the twine would break rather than the bag.

    If you are using the HayPlay bags on the ground, please see our tutorial on how to tie your bag safely

    Can I use it for my mini?

    Yes, they are safe for miniature horses and donkeys of all sizes! Even if a mini happens to put a hoof in one of the holes, they will usually just pull their hoof out with ease.

    There is nothing for them to get tangled in like with hay nets. Click here for footage of minis interacting with the HayPlay Bag XL.

    Care Instructions

    Rinse with water or wash with a mild soap. Avoid using abrasive cleaners as this can damage the outer coating.

    If you hang the HayPlay Bag in a stall, occasionally rotate the direction the bag is hung so that your horse's favorite hole locations are not overused.

    Keeping bags relatively full can help decrease stress on the bag from pawing, biting, etc.

    Customer Reviews

    Based on 7 reviews
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    L
    LisaD14

    So far, this is my horse’s favorite hay bag. She eats from this one before moving on to the nets. It’s super durable and I like that it can be hung or tossed on the ground. My goat and sheep also love it!

    M
    Mary-Ann
    Sturdy!

    My gelding loves to destroy things. He loves it so much that I actually give him items to tear apart. So, when I threw the snack pillow into his paddock I said my goodbyes to it and figured that was money down the drain. I was wrong! Not only does it slow down his eating it has become his favorite indestructible toy! Thank you!

    Mary-Ann, we're not sure if there is higher praise! Please let us know how your gelding gets along with the HayPlay Bag over time. We are very interested to learn just how tough and durable the bag is, and it sounds like your guy will give it his full energy and attention!

    c
    carol r.
    Easy to share!

    I hang the play bag on a center rail panel and 2 horses eat from either side and 2 goats eat from the bottom. Everybody's happy! It's very durable. I will be buying another one soon for a larger quantity of hay. The play bag holds about 7 pounds.

    Carol, thanks so much for your review! We've been mostly a horse-focused company up until now - with some donkeys, mules, hinnies, and such along the way - so it is very exciting to have something with cross-barnyard appeal! We've already heard from a few goat and sheep owners, so we appreciate you adding your voice.

    S
    Susan H.
    Dieting mare

    The 3 flake play bag is perfect for my chubby mare to slow down her meal times. I love the material & design; nothing to catch her front shoes on and she moves around her paddock more rather than eating in one place.

    D
    Darlene Y.
    A Great Haybag

    The hay/play bags are great! My very playful horse tosses it around, rolls on it, then gets up and munches some hay. It's been several months and there isn't a tear on it. These are so durable. I used to worry about the haybags getting caught on a hoof or my horse eating the webbing, but not with these. And when they are out in the rain and mud, I just rinse it out and let it dry and it's good as new. I put up 2 hooks so I can hang it by 2 grommets to make filling it easier. I use baling twine to tie it up tights. When I reached out to the company with initial questions, they got right back to me. I'm going to order another snack size to replace a web style one in my trailer.