[dj80]

what do you all use to feed hay in the field? My current yard use cattle ring feeders but last winter one of my horses rubbed her entire mane out and ended up with a very raw sore neck and i had to move her.
Im getting my own field now and looking for ideas, is there such a thing as a ring feeder specifically for horses or does anyone have any other good ideas(someone locally mentioned using tattie boxes)
x

[Rosemary]

I use a wheeled sheep hay rack. It wasn't cheap - about £230 I think but it keeps the hay dry, it's easy to move, there's hardly any waste and it puts the hay in a natural position for the horse ie near the ground. Also there's nothing for a horse o get its feet stuck in. A 6ft one does three ponies here but would probably do four easily.

My pony does rub on it a bit but he rubs on everything.

[lachlanandmarcus]

In one field the hay goes on the floor in the field shelter. In the other, I use one of the Rectangular council compost bins! They are brilliant. Even have flaps on the front and you have to assemble the flat pack so just don't put on the bottom flap and horse then has to eat oldest hay first. Load up the hay from the top. I cable tie mine to the fence due to our gales but the bits of dropped hay have grown and knitted it in to the ground.


What's even better you get it subsidised, it's about the only thing I got for my council tax as we have no road or streetlights and no kids at school and our bin is only collected a mile away where the Tarmac starts so I don't feel guilty!

[mowhaugh]

I find the tombstone ring feeders, designed for horned cattle good - the horses don't have to put their heads under anything, so won't get rubbed.  Not the cheapest, but last for ever.

Just using this photo as an example, you can get them a good bit cheaper than this:

http://www.mcveighparker.com/content/super-heavy-duty-tombstone-feed-ring-galvanised

[lachlanandmarcus]

I find the tombstone ring feeders, designed for horned cattle good - the horses don't have to put their heads under anything, so won't get rubbed.  Not the cheapest, but last for ever.

Just using this photo as an example, you can get them a good bit cheaper than this:

http://www.mcveighparker.com/content/super-heavy-duty-tombstone-feed-ring-galvanised

That design would be ok for calm horses but my pony would jump/climb into that or break a leg trying  no doubt of it.... (she is a bit of a nutter and very very greedy...) 

[sabrina]

I use a big old tractor tyre for my ponies which works well.
 

[Herdygirl]

Hay nets on a fence, you can see how much they have eaten, i put out 1 per pony and 1 extra

[Garvie]

we made up a manger that hung on the gate for our 2 donkeys it takes about half a small square bale, seems to work pretty well

[Jamie12]

We put a round bsle of hay in, on its own and slowly take off the netting so they don't waste it. Pick up all clean loose stuff and put back on the bale, poo pick round it twice a day. Tried ring feeders, small sections in nets but find we have had less accidents this way x

[SallyintNorth]

Our natives don't need much; we feed slices off small bales on the ground, more than 2 horses' length between each, always 2 extra slices so the 'bottom' ponies can always find some to munch on when the bossy ones move them along 

[lachlanandmarcus]

Here's the compost bin hay feeder 

[ellied]

I use the sheep ring feeders as they're light enough to tip and roll onto a new bale or come apart in 2 halves to move.  They're low enough that my Highlands reach over rather than through, but they can get at whatever hangs out the sides too.  Towards the end of winter they have a chest rub from getting the last bits but from foals to OAPs never found anything climbing in or getting stuck in anyway.   

I have 2 and could do with more but finances don't permit so I also put bales beside the feeder one and take off the top half of the net IF the bale is packed tight enough.  Then collect the bottom half net when there's room to put the rest in the feeder.  Occasionally end up dragging net from deep mud but needs must..

[Daisys Mum]

I use a sheep ring feeder too and find that they can all reach over the top. I also put a pallet down in the middle of the feeder to keep the hay off the ground.

[Daisy]

Another large tractor tyre user here

[Hellybee]

If I was to feed hay like that I would only get a ring feeder that is suitable for ponies, have heard and seen some horrific accidents where ponies have become stuck in them.


I feed different places depending on which way the weather is coming.