Foal safe hay feeder?

[Kirstineridesagain]

Hay feeder or bale feeder - not sure what the correct term is - but I’m looking for one that’s foal safe. Saw one for £335, but thought that sounded a bit steep. Or is there another clever way to feed hay? Any ideas?

 

[The Xmas Furry]

Loose, on the ground for foals.

 

[Kirstineridesagain]

Loose, on the ground for foals.

Well, that’s certainly cheaper, unless it creates lots of waste.

 

[PurpleSpots]

Well, that’s certainly cheaper, unless it creates lots of waste.

It may well do. But it will stop the foal getting injured or stuck in something.

The best thing to do if you are concerned about waste is to experiment with what sort of arrangement it is in on the ground (location, how many piles, etc) and how much you give them.

 

[Amy May In A Manger]

Well, that’s certainly cheaper, unless it creates lots of waste.

Loads of waste. But cheaper than a costly veterinary emergency or dead foal.

 

[Kirstineridesagain]

Well yes, that’s why I’m doing the research now. My field mate would like one, but if even a foal safe one isn’t safe then we won’t get one.

 

[poiuytrewq]

Seen some horrid photos of foals stuck in hay feeders so I’d have to say ground also. Waste is especially annoying this year but probably not worth the risk

 

[Exasperated]

Hay feeder or bale feeder - not sure what the correct term is - but I’m looking for one that’s foal safe. Saw one for £335, but thought that sounded a bit steep. Or is there another clever way to feed hay? Any ideas?

There is no such thing as a foal-safe feeder - don’t.
Loose on the floor / field. Take all handles off any buckets; minimal / nil fixtures and fittings in your stable; remove headcollars; don’t use foal rugs unless actually ill; remove leg straps off the mare’s rug if she has one; I’m not even going to start on fencing, but - if a foal can get itself tangled up in anything, it will do.

 

[TheMule]

I use large wooden boxes (potato boxes) which don’t have gaps between the slats. They work very well and reduce wastage

 

[QueenBella]

I've used the JFC haybell in the winter for foals and never had an issue.

I also was given a few large attic water tanks before and I removed any fittings, drilled holes in the bottom to drain water away, placed a concrete blocks in it to stop from tipping and I've also used them with foals and never had any issues.

 

[eggs]

I used a rectangular plastic box type thing for my foals. It was about 3' long x 2' wide by 2' high with a nice lip on the top. There was nothing for them to get caught on. 20 years later they are still going strong and I now use them instead of water buckets.

I only used them once the foals were weaned so 6+ months.

 

[Kirstineridesagain]

There is no such thing as a foal-safe feeder - don’t.
Loose on the floor / field. Take all handles off any buckets; minimal / nil fixtures and fittings in your stable; remove headcollars; don’t use foal rugs unless actually ill; remove leg straps off the mare’s rug if she has one; I’m not even going to start on fencing, but - if a foal can get itself tangled up in anything, it will do.

We’re keeping it simple. No rugging of any horses. the fencing will be thoroughly inspected by an experienced breeder. Good points about buckets etc.

 

[Exasperated]

We’re keeping it simple. No rugging of any horses. the fencing will be thoroughly inspected by an experienced breeder. Good points about buckets etc.

Very sensible, and immediately saves you the expense of buying, repairing, laundering rugs; the hazardous hay feeder; all that time fannying about filling feeders and messing with rugs - to offset against a bit of wasted hay - perfect!

 

[Kirstineridesagain]

I’m lucky that Icelandics are a hardy breed! Won’t be clipping my mare either, unless she needs a bib cut (or whatever it’s called) in the spring when she’s hopefully in regular work. I think my horses can survive a Scottish winter - they’re designed to live out in Iceland!

 

[EventingMum]

Another one for on the ground for safety reasons. One way to help with waste over the winter is to put something down on the feeding area to stop hay being trampled into any mud over the winter. a square of Mud Control Mats would be ideal.

 

[Kirstineridesagain]

Another one for on the ground for safety reasons. One way to help with waste over the winter is to put something down on the feeding area to stop hay being trampled into any mud over the winter. a square of Mud Control Mats would be ideal.

Yes, this is what we’ll do. Don’t want muddy hay!