Feeding hay from the ground

[MissSBird]

Hi guys

I've always been a bit of a believe in feeding from the ground. When my old tb's back muscles got very weak I was told to by the backman as it would only help, and I have done so ever since.

But my new boy is a menace! He drags it all around his stable and makes an utter mess. I've seen those haybar things, but they look huge for a 14.2hh to be reaching into.

Any ideas on how I can stop him redecorating his stable for me, or am I going to have to start using haynets again?

 

[ISHmad]

You could use trying one of the small hay hutches. Or make something along the lines of a haybar but with a smaller height. Definitely better for topline, teeth etc if you can keep on as you are.

 

[Enfys]

Here you are, the Munch station from Derby House. I believe some HHO members use them. Based on the old fashioned feeders in stalls.

http://www.derbyhouse.co.uk/prodshow.asp?id=1629&a=srch

 

[jendie]

We have a Haybar. Our foal, who is currently around 14 h can reach in easily. But she still spreads the hay all sround the stable!

 

[LadyRascasse]

you can get pony haybars! i love my haybar stops my gelding decorating his stable

 

[Coffee_Bean]

What does he do if you put it in a huge tubtrug, might help?

 

[Holly831]

I use these...fantastic and my foals have no problems with them. Much safer than hay nets and no where near the wasted hay/haylage I used to get! Jules (the lady who sells them) i full of info too if you phone her.

http://eezhay.net/Premier.aspx

 

[BobbyMondeo]

Get a pony haybar...or make one its easyenough then put the haynet ring on the wall inside the haybar and tie the haynet to it to stop him dragging it out of the haybar (if he does)

 

[Puppy]

Sashpip, please could you make your signature smaller?

OP, I believe that you can get pony sized hay bars, or as someone else has said, maybe look at a hayhutch? I have the medium ones and really like them

 

[Holly831]

[ QUOTE ]
Sashpip, please could you make your signature smaller?

[/ QUOTE ]

Sorry I dont know how to :-( will leave it off tho!!

 

[Penniless]

Funnily enough, we were visiting a friend the other day who had just had a couple of new stables built and had had the haybars installed in both the stables. She now said she wishes she hadn't as both her horses had decided to use them as a toilet - which of course made the hay inside inedible. So now, she's hanging a hay net up over the haybar, so at least it keeps the stable clear of loose hay.

 

[MissSBird]

I really don't think baby will be interested in using it as a toilet. He spreads that as well!

Might try the tubtrunk idea first, and then see what my diy dad can rustle up from those suggestions.

thanks guys!

 

[Aoibhin]

ours have theirs on the floor in one of those big trug buckets (which i have to tie to a ring on the wall or they drag it about)

 

[Ali2]

I'd say try giving him less hay. If he's hungry enough he'll clean it back out of his bed.

 

[Fiona]

I agree with aoibhin - my two mares get their hay in large soft plastic tubtrug. Older mare is a lady and eats it very cleanly. Other mare is a messy so and so so she has string tied across the top between the two handles (covered in a piece of hozepipe so she can't injure herself) whihc seems to keep the hay in very well but still allows her to get her head in and eat.

Their hay is soaked in these tubs, drained over the drain and then carried into the stables.

Fiona