Why Replace the Zipper?

Hay Pillow® bags are built from heavy-duty materials designed to withstand years of daily feeding.

The zipper, however, is one of the few moving components on the bag. While we use premium YKK® zippers, severe impact or improper use can occasionally damage the zipper teeth or slider.

Common causes include:

• Horses stepping directly on the zipper.
• The Hay Pillow being dragged or repeatedly rubbed across concrete or hard surfaces.
• Horses anchoring the bag by standing on the zipper area.
• Heavy impact that distorts the zipper teeth.
• Years of normal wear after extensive daily use.

If the zipper teeth become bent or distorted, the slider may no longer align the teeth correctly, making the zipper difficult—or impossible—to open or close.

Fortunately, replacing the zipper is an inexpensive repair that restores full function without replacing the entire Hay Pillow.

Premium YKK® Quality

We exclusively use YKK® zippers, recognized worldwide for their exceptional strength, reliability, and durability.

Unlike inexpensive generic zippers, YKK components are designed to withstand demanding agricultural and equestrian environments while providing smooth, dependable operation year after year.

Protecting Your Zipper

The single most important thing you can do to maximize zipper life is to fully close the zipper after filling your Hay Pillow® and fold both protective flaps back over the zipper.

Your Hay Pillow was intentionally designed with an upper and lower protective flap system.

When properly positioned, these flaps:

• Completely cover the zipper and slider.
• Protect the pull tab from catching.
• Shield the zipper from dirt, sand and hay.
• Reduce abrasion from rubbing against stalls, trailers and fencing.
• Help prevent horses from stepping directly on the zipper.
• Significantly extend zipper life.

When the flaps are left open, the zipper is exposed to constant impact and debris, which can eventually make it feel stiff or cause premature wear.

Proper Flap Position

Correct

✔ Bottom flap completely covers the zipper and slider.

✔ Deep enough to retain the pull tab.

✔ Lays flat underneath the upper protective flap.

Incorrect

✘ Bottom flap too short to cover the zipper.

✘ Zipper exposed to dirt, hay and impact.

✘ Slider and pull tab left vulnerable to abrasion.

Easy to Repair

Replacing the zipper is much easier than replacing the entire Hay Pillow.

Most experienced sewers can install a new zipper in 15–20 minutes.

We recommend taking your Hay Pillow to a:

• Local tailor
• Horse blanket repair shop
• Saddle repair shop
• Upholstery shop
• Canvas repair shop

Many shops can complete the repair while you wait.

Package Includes

• 1 Genuine YKK® zipper
• 1 Matching YKK® slider

The zipper is supplied extra long and is trimmed during installation to fit your Hay Pillow model.