Feeding Hay in The Field?

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LSequestrian

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How do you guys feed hay in the field in winter? I'm just speculating about the best method of feeding hay in the field that will be a worthy investment to stop it blowing away or getting wet and muddy and being wasted? Currently I'm having to feed it loose on the ground as rubber trugs aren't heavy enough and blow away! So what are your methods of feeding hay in the field and how much it cost to get whatever it is you use? :)
 
I've seen large lorry tyres stacked to provide a hay holder, seems to work quite well.
If I have to feed it loose, I spread the slices out and there seems to be less waste.
This year I have a big plastic pallet box from work which I'm going to try. I'll need to reinforce it somehow though as they'll break it if they start rubbing on it. And for my other field I'm going to try the wheelie bin with holes cut in the bottom as it's for two mini shetlands.
I've given up feeding big rounds as I don't have a ring feeder and they waste more than they eat if its left unprotected. If I am going away then I'll put a big round of straw in instead of hay.
 
I saw a tub on ebay that you put your hay in then there was a net that went over the top to slow eating down. Also people have been using wheelie bins with a hole cut in the bottom which I think I am going to try.
 
We have been given a wooden thing that had tiles stored in it. Customized it a bit so ponies don't get feet stuck and cut top down so 11.2 can reach in but use that in windy weather.
 
I have old water tanks that have been removed from lofts, pop a paving slab in the bottom and make a hole for drainage-they are easy to move and will hold a small bale in one go if needed, the best thing is they a free.

I have one in the stable too
 
We use Car tyres (the bigger the better, My mum always has big cars so when her tyres need changing we keep the old ones) to stop it blowing everywhere or if we have several horses in one field we use a tractor tyre.
 
I saw someone using a tonne bag with four posts on the corners to hold off the floor but the only thing with that is its not moveable so would become muddy. I put mine down on the floor at the moment but keep eyeing up a pallet box which builders have across the road.
 
I feed from floor as it enables me to put it out in different spots according to weather as I try to put out of the wind, my cobs tend to eat all they are given before wandering off, so at present I put hay out 2 times each day, but if weather freezes then I put it out 3 times a day.
 
I've bought a haybell. Search Google for JFC haybell. They are like a green plastic hat that fits perfectly over a big round bale with 4 big holes in the side for the horses to eat through. We put out a round bale for our 2. Roll the haybell over the top and that's feeding done for 2 weeks. Easy!
 
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