Colic in Horses: How Smarter Hay Feeding Helps Reduce the Risk

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Colic is a leading health risk for horses in Australia, but the way you feed hay makes all the difference. Learn how Delzani’s hay nets, hay bags, and bale carry bags support natural digestion, prevent waste, and help reduce the risk of equine colic.

Colic in Horses: How Smarter Hay Feeding Helps Reduce the Risk

Colic is one of the biggest fears for horse owners in Australia. It’s a broad term for abdominal pain that can range from mild discomfort to a life-threatening emergency. While there are many potential causes of colic, feeding management plays a huge role in prevention. The way hay is offered, stored, and consumed directly impacts gut health, hydration, and overall wellbeing.

At Delzani, we know that practical feeding solutions can make a real difference to horse health. By using the right hay nets, hay bags, and bale storage systems, you can support natural grazing behaviour, reduce waste, and minimise some of the risks associated with colic. Let’s explore how smarter hay feeding can protect your horse.

Why Hay Matters in Colic Prevention

Horses are natural trickle feeders, designed to graze for 18–20 hours a day. Their stomach empties every 25–30 minutes, so going too long without forage leaves them vulnerable to ulcers, gas build-up, and impaction colic. In many Australian environments where pasture is limited, hay becomes the main source of fibre. But it’s not just about what you feed—it’s how you feed it.

1. Slow Feeding Supports Gut Health

One of the most common mistakes owners make is offering hay in big, unrestricted piles. Horses hoover it down in a short burst, leaving long hours with an empty gut. This stop–start pattern increases colic risk.

A slow feeder hay net helps regulate intake. The fine mesh holes mean hay is eaten steadily over hours, mimicking natural grazing. This keeps the digestive system moving, stimulates saliva production (which buffers stomach acid), and reduces the chance of impaction.

Delzani pick: The Slow Feeder Horse Hay Net Bag – heavy-duty polyester with a marine-grade tie rope and steel bottom ring, ideal for stables, floats, or paddocks.

2. Keeping Hay Clean Reduces Sand Colic Risk

In sandy Australian paddocks, feeding directly on the ground can be dangerous. Horses ingest sand along with hay, which can build up in the gut and cause painful sand colic. This is a surprisingly common problem in coastal regions.

By tying nets to tyres, clipping them into drums, or hanging slow feeder hay bags at chest height, you keep hay off the ground. This not only reduces sand ingestion but also keeps feed cleaner and more appetising.

Delzani pick: The Deluxe Slow Feeder Horse Feed Bag – tough 600D Oxford fabric with reinforced seams and a slow-feeder webbed front, built to last in Aussie paddocks and floats.

3. Hydration and Fibre Work Together

Impaction colic often happens when horses eat dry hay but don’t drink enough water. Fibre needs fluid to move through the gut. If hydration is poor, feed can lodge and compact. Always ensure fresh water is available, especially in Australia’s hot summers, and consider adding electrolytes during peak sweat periods.

Pairing hay with constant water access is easier when feeding is organised. A canvas hay bag in a float or stable keeps rations neat, reducing spillage into water buckets and helping you monitor consumption more closely.

4. Portion Control Prevents Overload

Some horses simply don’t know when to stop. Gorging on large biscuits too quickly can shock the digestive system and trigger colic. Feeding by weight—not by “biscuit count”—is the smarter option. Most horses require 1.5–2.5% of their body weight in forage daily, adjusted for condition, workload, and season.

Slow-feeder systems make it easier to portion hay correctly and stretch it across the day. A single Deluxe Slow Feeder Hay Bag can comfortably hold two biscuits, releasing them gradually instead of all at once.

5. Transport and Storage Affect Freshness

Mouldy or dusty hay is a known colic risk, yet many owners lose control of quality during transport and storage. A proper hay bale carry bag solves this problem. Designed from 1600D fabric with a moisture-proof lining, it keeps bales fresher and prevents contamination while travelling or storing indoors.

Instead of stuffing loose hay into a car boot or float tack box, bale bags contain mess, protect feed quality, and make it easier to carry hay around the property without wastage.

6. Movement and Feeding Placement Go Hand-in-Hand

Confinement increases colic risk. Horses are designed to walk as they graze. If hay is offered in a single pile, they stand still, eat, then wait. Smarter placement of multiple nets or bags encourages movement and mimics natural grazing patterns.

For example, hang two slow feeder nets at opposite ends of a yard, or tie one net to a tyre in the paddock and place another in a sheltered corner. This not only reduces stress but also supports gut motility by encouraging horses to keep moving.

7. Safety Tips for Using Hay Nets and Bags

While hay nets and bags are invaluable for colic prevention, safety comes first. Always hang nets at chest height for shod horses to avoid hoof entanglement. Check nets regularly for wear and repair small holes immediately. Use quick-release clips or baling twine ties so feeders can be removed quickly if needed.

Choose mesh sizes carefully: smaller holes slow down greedy eaters, while moderate sizes prevent frustration in less patient horses. Every horse is different, so finding the balance between pacing intake and ease of access is key.

Smarter Hay Feeding, Healthier Horses

Colic will always be a risk in horses, but prevention starts with management. Smarter hay feeding—using nets, bags, and storage systems—supports steady digestion, reduces sand and dust intake, and stretches each bale further. With practical tools like Delzani’s range of hay nets, bags, and bale carry bags, you can protect your horse’s gut health while making feeding easier, cleaner, and more cost-effective.

Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and is not veterinary advice. Always consult your vet for tailored guidance on feeding, colic prevention, and horse health.