Depending on your breed of sheep ,as said horizontal bars are designed for horned breeds and small types can get into the feeder very easily ,vertical bars are for non horned breeds ( horned breeds can use but can get stuck or break a horn ) and again small or narrow types can get into the feeder or get stuck half in , diagonal bars really only for non horned and difficult for any sheep ( but not all ) to get into the feeder . Ring feeders work best with big bales but you can use small bales by spreading around the ring ,most sheep cannot reach a big bale centre in a ring . Small bales would be better in a hay rack