The Paddock OptiMizer has been in the market since 2019. In 2021, we upgraded from traditional nylon nets to a custom net that was optimized for durability, the OptiNet, and offered it in 3 sizes. Customers have been extremely pleased with the performance of the OptiNet and it is typically lasting 3 years or more before it needs to be replaced.
There are a small proportion of horses/herds that are tough on nets. We have noticed this more so with the OptiMizer InStall, particularly with horses that are stabled for long durations.
Since 2021, we have been testing a “sharknet” with horses that prematurely put holes in the OptiNet. We are very impressed with its durability and acceptability for these horses. Effective March 10, 2025, the “sharknet” will be available as an option for Paddock OptiMizers and OptiMizer InStalls. We are calling it UltraNet.
Facts about UltraNet:
- It is made from Ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene. This fibre is 15 times stronger than steel. It is used as a shark net in some regions … hence the nickname
- Brand new, it is silvery-white, thin and feels like plastic. It does NOT look strong to me. But it sure is strong! We have observed only a few holes in 4 years (very few)
- In use, it swells slightly and starts to feel like high quality Egyptian Cotton
- Over time, it grays out with use. And it shrinks! It shrinks the most where the horses eat the most, so the hole size will be different throughout the size of the net. Over 2 years, the most shrinkage we have measured is from 1-¾” down to 1-¼”. I think this is a good thing … It is dynamically slowing the feeding where it needs to the most. We will be labelling the size of the net as: 1.75” -> 1.25” to describe this dynamic.
UltraNet is now available as an option for paddock OptiMizers and OptiMizer InStalls. It is available on new units and as replacement kits. This is a premium product and we will warranty it for 1 year under normal usage in our products.