Feeding hay in the field when one can’t eat it

[rara007]

I have a mid 30s Shetland who has few teeth- he maintains well on grazing and for the worst of the winter mash/chaff mixes- we’ve only had to start these this week for this year. He lives out but in the stable for his meals.
His field companions that come in for either day/night are getting bored of the grazing so today I gave them a few folds of hay. Any suggestions for the Shetland? He was quite sad trying and just moving hay around. Mashes in the field would be gobbled by the cob. I expect I just need to time it that’s he’s in while there’s hay on the ground but am I missing a solution?! Everyone’s condition is ok they’re just a bit bored!

 

[stangs]

Presuming the others will respect electric fencing, section off a part of the field with the tape high enough that he can go under it to eat a mash as he pleases but the others have to stay on their side.

 

[rara007]

That’s a good shout - he has a small wooded area he uses in the summer to keep out the flys and only he fits in the woods. I thought the others would force in if he was fed in there. A fence wire across the path there set at 1.10m would let him pass in and out and I don’t think the others are that determined to push it. Thank you!

 

[The Xmas Furry]

That’s a good shout - he has a small wooded area he uses in the summer to keep out the flys and only he fits in the woods. I thought the others would force in if he was fed in there. A fence wire across the path there set at 1.10m would let him pass in and out and I don’t think the others are that determined to push it. Thank you!

I've done that for tinies, but used 2 fence bars - one each side of the gateway - lashed them together on existing fence, so a sturdy barrier that small(s) could safely come and go.
Hope it works for you/him x

 

[Clodagh]

As suggested, a creep feeder set up as for a foal?

 

[meleeka]

I've done this with a bar on the stable door that only the smaller one can get under (they all have access to the yard).

 

[dottylottie]

can you hang haynets up high enough that the shetland can’t reach, but obviously not too high for the others?