feeding hay in the field

[bouncing_ball]

If you were setting up a matted area to feed hay would you put it under tree branches or out in the open? Hay will be fed in a hay hutch (with a lid that keeps hay dry).

I was wondering if the branches are beneficial in helping keep horse semi dry? And maybe providing some shade. Or whether would end up with bigger drips coming off the branch leaves?

There are lowish hanging branches, offering partial cover, rather than a dense cover from a large tree.

Or could place further out away from tree branches.

 

[Katieg123]

I do it out in the open in the dryest area of the field. I think too much debris would fall into the hay if it was under a tree

 

[PurBee]

Trees offer protection from driving rain and winds, but yes, there are big drips off the branches, but they are less than the horses being out in the open of driving rain.

If the hay station is a permanent installation, i’d go for under the protection of a large tree. I have a massive 100ft fir tree used for this, but firs like spruce,douglas, noble for have branches that hang down and sway out, so they are really good at remaining dry beneath them, due to the shape of the tree branches acting like a massive umbrella. The oaks/birch/beech large trees have vertical and upright branches, so offer less protection but still more protection than having no rain cover at all.
We have 3m+ rain per year and the horses choose tree belts to graze under or beside when its raining for the whole day.

If you have your feeder under the tree, they’ll be inclined to be under there when its raining anyway, and if its hours of rain they’ll have hay to munch on.
As its a covered hay feeder that’ll stop rain and leaves falling on the hay and spoiling it.

 

[poiuytrewq]

I think it’s probably worth taking into consideration ease of getting it there. I soon decided my chosen hay area was far too much like hard work trudging that far through mud in the dark middle of winter and often pitch darkness.
I’d go somewhere easily accessible to both out and clear up waste.

 

[bouncing_ball]

I think it’s probably worth taking into consideration ease of getting it there. I soon decided my chosen hay area was far too much like hard work trudging that far through mud in the dark middle of winter and often pitch darkness.
I’d go somewhere easily accessible to both out and clear up waste.

Yes it will have to be within a certain distance of the gate. As hay is being brought by barrow (and not just by me). I have a choice of by the fence / hedge edge, under some fairly low branches which will provide some cover or out in the open. The fence line sort of has shrubs and trees and some over hanging long tree branches, (it isnt a proper hedge). No big tree shelter options. Hay hutch has lid so hay will not get leaves in it or drips on it.

Sounds like by fence like under the branches will be the best option. Though I guess in the depth of winter, the branches will all be minus leaves anyway.

thanks