Frequently Asked Questions
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Why should I use a NAG Bag?
A NAG Bag will provide your horse with the best feeding method available to animals, as pastures and forage is becoming GMO or much to offer superior health, digestion and wellbeing, as these animals are all "grazers" and should never be fed only once or twice a day. Veterinarians, equine nutritionists, and equine universities recommended. |
What size net to do I use?
The size depends on your hay type and animal type.
1 inch: Ponies and miniature animals do very well right away with the 1 inch netting.
1.5 inch: This is our most common size for equines and llamas.
2 inch: For larger breeds like drafts, warm bloods, working horses, young and older horses, and cattle.
When introducing slow hay feeding always provide loose hay as well as the N.A.G. Bag for the first week. Your animals will learn to graze from the net properly. This will also ensure a pro-longed life on your N.A.G. Bags. With saying that, make sure it’s the correct hay type and not too high in sugars, starches, or WSC. We strongly advise getting your hay tested to know what you are feeding your horses! See the hay testing info page.
The size depends on your hay type and animal type.
1 inch: Ponies and miniature animals do very well right away with the 1 inch netting.
1.5 inch: This is our most common size for equines and llamas.
2 inch: For larger breeds like drafts, warm bloods, working horses, young and older horses, and cattle.
When introducing slow hay feeding always provide loose hay as well as the N.A.G. Bag for the first week. Your animals will learn to graze from the net properly. This will also ensure a pro-longed life on your N.A.G. Bags. With saying that, make sure it’s the correct hay type and not too high in sugars, starches, or WSC. We strongly advise getting your hay tested to know what you are feeding your horses! See the hay testing info page.
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Can I use a NAG Bag with my horse if he is wearing shoes?
Most certainly you can use them with shod horses - there are some guidelines for making sure that your horse’s shoes do not contact the net at any time. And that is either by putting in a tub, metal feeder, hay ring, or hung. We like to see horses eating with their head in a downward position as this helps with saliva flow and the amount of dust inhaled. |
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Can the Bags be left loose?
Yes - All of our bags can be left loose for extra movement and entertainment. Must have appropriate fencing and non-sandy surfaces. IMPORTANT: Horses must have No Shoes if using loose bags. |
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When the net is empty should I refill it, even if he's eaten all his hay for the day?
Yes, it is best to keep the nets full, you may go through a bit more hay at the beginning, but after the horse self regulates his feeding (grazing), his habits change physically, emotionally and consumption slows down. The hay must suit your horse's needs - ie - hard keepers or easy keepers. See the Hay Testing Info page for more information. |
My horse won't leave the slow feeder...
Keep going along with it - they will slow down. For some, it can take a couple hours or days and sometimes a week! These horses are usually the ones whom have never had a free choice feeding before.
Keep going along with it - they will slow down. For some, it can take a couple hours or days and sometimes a week! These horses are usually the ones whom have never had a free choice feeding before.
- Option 1: If you do not have correct hay for full-time free choice feeding, you may use the slow feeder to extend the hours.
- If you have the correct hay for your horse they will slow down and regulate themselves.
- If you have hay too high in starch and sugars and you just want to extend with the normal hours of feeding of their ration.
Can I soak hay in the bags?
Yes, you can use the bags to soak the hay in. We do suggest a maximum of a 30 min soak & to let the water drip/drain out before if you are feeding in the trailer or a surface that could get slippery. Also great for hay dunkers!
The warmer the water and the longer you soak it, the more sugars & starches you remove. Levels decline significantly when hay is soaked in warm water for 30 minutes or cold water for 60 minutes. Don’t over soak (2 hours max) this can cause mineral loss & reduces the amount of dry matter, leaving less digestible fiber. See more on Hay Testing Info.
Yes, you can use the bags to soak the hay in. We do suggest a maximum of a 30 min soak & to let the water drip/drain out before if you are feeding in the trailer or a surface that could get slippery. Also great for hay dunkers!
The warmer the water and the longer you soak it, the more sugars & starches you remove. Levels decline significantly when hay is soaked in warm water for 30 minutes or cold water for 60 minutes. Don’t over soak (2 hours max) this can cause mineral loss & reduces the amount of dry matter, leaving less digestible fiber. See more on Hay Testing Info.
Using NAG Bags with poor teeth or missing teeth?
Before you start feeding with slow feeders please check your animals teeth alignment on the front incisors as some miniatures have poor teeth alignment & older horses can have some teeth missing. If your horse has a missing tooth that is fine, but, if there is no gaps between the remaining teeth, or if there is one tooth in the middle and missing on both sides, or one tooth laying over top of another you should seek Veterinarian or Dental Assistance first.
Before you start feeding with slow feeders please check your animals teeth alignment on the front incisors as some miniatures have poor teeth alignment & older horses can have some teeth missing. If your horse has a missing tooth that is fine, but, if there is no gaps between the remaining teeth, or if there is one tooth in the middle and missing on both sides, or one tooth laying over top of another you should seek Veterinarian or Dental Assistance first.
Can my horse chew through the NAG Bag?
Our net is the safest and most durable on the market. When introduced correctly with loose hay feedings along with the NAG Bag we see minimum to no damage, but it is possible. If this happens, a simple repair can be made (the value of the NAG Bag far exceeds a small repair or two). Learn more on the Net Care page and see the videos below.
Our net is the safest and most durable on the market. When introduced correctly with loose hay feedings along with the NAG Bag we see minimum to no damage, but it is possible. If this happens, a simple repair can be made (the value of the NAG Bag far exceeds a small repair or two). Learn more on the Net Care page and see the videos below.
What do I do if I get a hole in the net?
All nets come with a spare matching twine - just as a good sweater comes with an extra button. Make sure you sew up the hole as soon as it is found, as the animals will only make it larger. If you have a hole that has been left and is now very large and cannot be pulled together without making the bag too small, you will need a repair patch kit. Repair kits include large patches of netting and a roll of twine. Learn more on the Net Care page and see the videos below.
All nets come with a spare matching twine - just as a good sweater comes with an extra button. Make sure you sew up the hole as soon as it is found, as the animals will only make it larger. If you have a hole that has been left and is now very large and cannot be pulled together without making the bag too small, you will need a repair patch kit. Repair kits include large patches of netting and a roll of twine. Learn more on the Net Care page and see the videos below.
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Will my horse be frustrated with the NAG Bag?
Horses with the correct net hole size will prefer to graze from a slow feeder then loose hay feedings after the proper introduction, as horses are a grazing animal.
Horses with the correct net hole size will prefer to graze from a slow feeder then loose hay feedings after the proper introduction, as horses are a grazing animal.
What type of hay do I use?
We are all about a natural diet so we like to see horses use a grass mix hay type, headed out with no dust or mold (see more on hay info). Easy keepers are best on a 1st cut, lower sugar and starch hays. Hard keepers and elderly horses may need hay types that are higher in proteins and more suitable to their needs.
If the hay type is fine, the horses can remove the hay quicker from the hay nets, as opposed to courser, longer stands. A very fine hay has its issues of balling and/or impactions, as hay with more stem helps the digestive tract with helping hindgut secretions flow, slows down consumption rates and adds more chewing - all good things.
We are all about a natural diet so we like to see horses use a grass mix hay type, headed out with no dust or mold (see more on hay info). Easy keepers are best on a 1st cut, lower sugar and starch hays. Hard keepers and elderly horses may need hay types that are higher in proteins and more suitable to their needs.
If the hay type is fine, the horses can remove the hay quicker from the hay nets, as opposed to courser, longer stands. A very fine hay has its issues of balling and/or impactions, as hay with more stem helps the digestive tract with helping hindgut secretions flow, slows down consumption rates and adds more chewing - all good things.
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Can I use this continuous feeding system with my laminic prone horse?
Yes, this is one of the best feeding systems to use as they help keep your horses insulin levels balanced, as forage is available 24/7 reducing stress - BUT you must have a hay that is correct for these sensitive horses and that means having your hay tested is essential! Hay testing is easy to do with minimum cost - see Hay Info page. |
My horse has ulcers...
NAB Bags will benefit all equines, especially for the care of ulcers, colic, cribbing, aggressive and nervous horses. Vet recommended.
NAB Bags will benefit all equines, especially for the care of ulcers, colic, cribbing, aggressive and nervous horses. Vet recommended.
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How is the round bale eaten down?
The round bale simply shrinks/collapses down with the hay and molds into the shape of a large pillow. Before completely empty, shake out and replace with fresh round bale. Will the round bale freeze to the ground? In winter use you can either use straw/shavings and/or tarps. Also make sure they are never empty as the hay helps insulate the nets. Do I have to re-tighten the round bale bag? No, you only tie the net up once but you should inspect your round bale bag frequently. |
Will the 3 String Square Bale Bag hold multiple small square bales?
The 3 string square bale bag can hold two regular 2-string bales or one 3-string bale.
The 3 string square bale bag can hold two regular 2-string bales or one 3-string bale.
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What can the EZ-Fill be attached to?
They can be attached to any type of fencing. You can either use zap ties/straps, twine or bungee cords to attach. Many use them for camping, showing and even placing them onto trees. |
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Rings and Clips: Where do they attach?
The placement of the ring or clip is on the top of the bag attached to the black rope. You could also place a ring or clip onto the bottom of the bag. Just undo the clamp on the bottom to insert the ring or clip. See the video for more. |
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Stop the feeding time frenzy - Slow Feeding brings Husbandry into Harmony!
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