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Option #1: Stainless Steel Anchor Shackles

Some reasons I use anchor shackles to close the top of my small-mesh hay nets:

1-They eliminate any chance of having a leg get caught in a tie string.

2-Its horse shoe shape is pretty easy to thread through the top loops of the nets. (Easier shape than a locking oval chain link.)

3-The stainless steel is smooth against the loops and doesn't abrade them like the tie rope does, or like galvanized hardware would.

4-The closed bolt is stable and can't get pulled sideways to break like a carabiner might. (Locking carabiners should work, too, but are more expensive and not horseshoe shaped.) I do use double-end snaps or carabiners to clip the shackle bolt to a post.

5-If I have difficulty unscrewing the bolt with my hands because it freezes or was too tight, I use a tiny screwdriver or large nail for easy leverage.

6-If the bolt comes unscrewed (happened to me once once from not tightening it enough), there are no sharp edges.

7-Stainless steel is non-toxic and resists rust.

8-Husbands like hardware. It elevates the lowly small-mesh hay net to 'mechanical farm implement' status. ;-)

JoAnn Johnson
February 22, 2009



Note: The largest s.s. anchor shackle in the chain/fastener section of Lowes (3/8") works well for me on the Miller's/Dover/SmithBros smhns. It's a comfortable size to handle.
The Roma nets require the next size down, as the $7.87 shackle is too large to fit through the metal rings at the tops of its loops.


larger photos


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Option # 2: bucket straps

	About a month ago I posted asking if anyone had problems with their horses not eating enough out of a SMHN. My goal for Alixia was to reduce waste, not slow consumption. She is on free choice hay and I wish she would eat more as it is. No one reported any negative comments so I decide to give it a go. I ordered the Millers SMHN. I thought it would be harder to get hay out as they empty, so decided to just fill them to capacity (10-12 lbs.each) and just weigh the leftovers the next day. It has been a huge success. She is eating the same amount, perhaps even a little more as there is little to no wasted trampled hay. Previously I was using the large capacity canvas hay bags w/ 4" "strapping grids"...Alixia often took a bite and walked...leaving a trail of hay. Now her bites are much smaller. Interestingly, the leftover amounts often worked out to what I needed for 1 feeding for Ollie. Since emptying the leftovers was actually harder than filling the nets, I decided to just give him the SMHNs too. I was using a "hay basket" that I made using a cage type bin-I think it was a storage bin of some sort in its previous life-mounted to the wall. It had 2" grid and worked pretty well once Ollie got the hang of it. It definitely had its drawbacks--Ollie thought it was a great butt scratcher and often had grey metal rub stains on his white rump...and I would have preferred a lower head feeding position. The SMHNs are perfect for him! He actually eats slower than with his "basket", often has a little leftover by the next feeding, and I can hang them much lower! Like many of you, I did not like the long tie rope that came on the nets. What I have found that works very well is a bucket strap-a nylon strap about 15" long with a loop sewn in one end and a snap on the other. Run the strap through the loops of the SMHN, pass the snap end through the loop end, pull tight, hang with the snap hooked to a screw eye. I found bucket sraps at Tractor Supply for about $3.50 each. Make sure the snaps on the bucket straps are big enough to fit on a screw eye. I have some that are not and ended up having to put an extra snap on them. ~Teresa in PA, February 25, 2009~

Option # 3: hay string Use hay string to pull the top loops closed. Tie several knots to keep it from working loose. Cut off the dangling end(s) of the hay string. (Photo shows Miller's hay net hung from some of its middle openings rather than hanging from the top or bottom of the net. The opening at the top of the net is tied with hay string at the center of the photo.)

Option # 4: boards or pipes Attach the top of the net to two pieces of wood. Hockey net shown. See more information at the bottom of page at this link.

Option # 5: Quick Link As shown in the Hubbards horse feeders album

Option # 6: Freedom Feeder Video showing how to load and close the New Freedom Feeder LARGE SMHN 1.5" Mesh size, same material now without the coating. Softer on the horses noses, less brittle, easier to load.