Has anyone had any experience with these, especially brand and can you use them by themselves without a hay ring if the horses do not have shoes?

They use them where I board, both in a ring and out of a ring. My horse is pastured by himself, so I use the half bale nets in a container for him. Love HayChix, as they have proven to be durable and save so much hay. I believe I have my discount code in my signature. Saves 20%. 

I agree, I finally got my father to switch over to HayChix nets, it saves SOOO much hay, and realistically it saves time because before he was hand feeding everyday. We prefer them in a ring but we have used without a ring, just be warned, maybe try and get something to set it up off the ground if you live where it is cold and snowy because they can freeze to the ground!

My husband got me one for Christmas. LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!!!!!!!!!!! Its definitely saved money on hay already. I usually put a ring around it but the one I put out friday is still ringless. Havent wanted to roll the ring through the mud to the new spot I moved it to. 1 bale lasts 4 horses a month. They have 24/7 access to it. I love our haychix net!!!! 

Hay Chix for sure. and Yes you can use them without a ring, just beware if your horse wears a blanket or anything though. ;) 

Thank you all, I used round bales for 2 horses this winter because I got hurt and it made it so much easier that I have decided to do it next year, but either need to get a ring but had not thought about just hay nets, so was trying to decide.