Grids for the Hay Cube- any good?

[scats]

I see you can buy grids for the hay cubes to slow down intake. Are they any good? Or does some hay end up getting wasted?

I’ve got a hay cube but not a grid. Wondering if it a worthy investment as I would like to slow Pol down a bit.

 

[TPO]

It slows down fat cob. He's got the original haycube and the other 2 have the 2nd version.

I'm not sure if the 3rd version have slots or fittings for the grid.

Currently it means angling the grid and bending it a bit to pop the final corner in. It might be easier with the bigger (taller) newer cubes.

But yeah, I'd recommend

 

[scats]

Thanks. I have no idea what type of cube I have as I got it second hand. Is there any way to tell?

 

[AdorableAlice]

It took my cob 15 minutes to remove the grill and chuck it up the yard.

 

[scats]

It took my cob 15 minutes to remove the grill and chuck it up the yard.

Oh god

What size holes did everyone go for?

 

[TPO]

Thanks. I have no idea what type of cube I have as I got it second hand. Is there any way to tell?

The original one is shorter and has a different fastening- a white screw in plug.

Thr 2nd version is taller and has a threaded tube out the back that the black cap is screwed onto.

Oh god

What size holes did everyone go for?

I didn't realise that there were different sizes! Just had a look and I have the large grid. I'm not sure if there were options when I bought it or if I just bought the first one I saw!

 

[poiuytrewq]

Thanks. I have no idea what type of cube I have as I got it second hand. Is there any way to tell?

Don’t the new ones have a slit at the back to slide the grid into without having to wrestle it in as TPO mentions?

 

[poiuytrewq]

X posted! I’m wondering about getting a grid for my older versions too

 

[daffy44]

Can I ask a daft question about the hay cube please? I'm thinking of getting one for a very messy horse, how easy are they for a horse to move? I used a giant trug and this horse is very fond of sticking a front leg in it pulling it across the stable and ultimately pulling it over. Can the horse still do this with a hay cube?

 

[poiuytrewq]

Can I ask a daft question about the hay cube please? I'm thinking of getting one for a very messy horse, how easy are they for a horse to move? I used a giant trug and this horse is very fond of sticking a front leg in it pulling it across the stable and ultimately pulling it over. Can the horse still do this with a hay cube?

They come with a bar to attach to a wall and you clip them on. I’ve never bothered with it because mine don’t move them any further than a foot or so at worst

 

[daffy44]

They come with a bar to attach to a wall and you clip them on. I’ve never bothered with it because mine don’t move them any further than a foot or so at worst

I didnt know that! Brilliant, thank you, probably worth getting then if the horse cant pull it all round the stable, thank you. Apologies for diverting the thread.

 

[poiuytrewq]

I didnt know that! Brilliant, thank you, probably worth getting then if the horse cant pull it all round the stable, thank you. Apologies for diverting the thread.

As I say I’ve never used them and mines an older one but assume the new ones have one too.
You literally screw them to something and I believe hook it on

 

[TPO]

The not very bright trotter has managed to free his cube a couple of times. I always use the bar to attach them. I am guilty of stuffing the cubes until they're packed and because he insists of pulling out a specific strand, instead of just earing his way down, he's lifted the cube and it's come off the bar.

Fat Cob occasionally uses his for scratching against and that can knock it off the bar. He has the original shorter one so it might not happen with the taller ones.

I've had quite a few hooligan horses and (touching wood frantically) no one has ever come to any harm.

They are much better at conserving hay than the haybars that they replaced. They are safer and easier to move, fill and manage than haynets too IME

 

[daffy44]

The not very bright trotter has managed to free his cube a couple of times. I always use the bar to attach them. I am guilty of stuffing the cubes until they're packed and because he insists of pulling out a specific strand, instead of just earing his way down, he's lifted the cube and it's come off the bar.

Fat Cob occasionally uses his for scratching against and that can knock it off the bar. He has the original shorter one so it might not happen with the taller ones.

I've had quite a few hooligan horses and (touching wood frantically) no one has ever come to any harm.

They are much better at conserving hay than the haybars that they replaced. They are safer and easier to move, fill and manage than haynets too IME

Thank you, I loathe haynets and always feed from the floor, this is the only horse I havent managed to get to eat hay from the floor in a organised manner. The front feet come out and drag everything through the bed, its very annoying, hence the trug, but the front feet got into that no problem.

 

[scats]

Mine definitely doesn’t have a slit at the back so it must be an older version.

I use the wall bracket and Polly has never managed to move it. I’m not sure I’d trust Millie with one though, she’s a horror for rearranging her bedroom! It would be easier to replace Millie’s hay bar with one though.

I might order a medium hole grid and see how we get on.

 

[TPO]

Thank you, I loathe haynets and always feed from the floor, this is the only horse I havent managed to get to eat hay from the floor in a organised manner. The front feet come out and drag everything through the bed, its very annoying, hence the trug, but the front feet got into that no problem.

I've had some really messy and wasteful horses, haycubes have been a game changer.

 

[daffy44]

I've had some really messy and wasteful horses, haycubes have been a game changer.

Really helpful, thank you.

 

[94lunagem]

Really helpful, thank you.

I don’t bother securing mine with the wall bracket either, or to anything when used in the field.

I’d proceed with caution either way though if you have one that likes to put his legs in stuff. It’s a very hard plastic that won’t give like a trug bucket will if he puts a leg in to play with it. Admittedly it would be harder to get a leg it, it depends how determined he is!

 

[AdorableAlice]

Can I ask a daft question about the hay cube please? I'm thinking of getting one for a very messy horse, how easy are they for a horse to move? I used a giant trug and this horse is very fond of sticking a front leg in it pulling it across the stable and ultimately pulling it over. Can the horse still do this with a hay cube?

Don't even think about using one if your horse l likes putting his feet in things. My horse did just that, flipped it off the wall bracket and turned the cube on its side. 10pm at night, 4 people and a saw to get him out. Thankfully uninjured.

 

[daffy44]

Don't even think about using one if your horse l likes putting his feet in things. My horse did just that, flipped it off the wall bracket and turned the cube on its side. 10pm at night, 4 people and a saw to get him out. Thankfully uninjured.

Ok! You've just saved me a lot of money!

 

[AdorableAlice]

Ok! You've just saved me a lot of money!

No worries, it was a big horse that got stuck and we couldn't straighten the leg or bend it enough to get him out. He did stand quiet waiting rescue. A smaller horse or pony might have had enough room to wiggle around a bit.

I do use them, have 4 but only one horse actually eating out of it without a concern. Huge Shire x, doesn't pig so no grid, lovely feeding position for neck flexion, he usually has a bit left in the morning after his 10pm feed. Smaller horse banged her eye in hers and had breathing issues despite the soaking so I just use hers to soak/drain and throw hay on floor. Maxi cob threw the grid down the yard and emptied the cube in half hour. I use hers to soak and then net the contents.

Three of the 4 cubes have leaks where the plastic feet have perished, they are taped up with gorilla tape. They are useful bits of kit, over priced for the quality in my view though.

 

[daffy44]

No worries, it was a big horse that got stuck and we couldn't straighten the leg or bend it enough to get him out. He did stand quiet waiting rescue. A smaller horse or pony might have had enough room to wiggle around a bit.

I do use them, have 4 but only one horse actually eating out of it without a concern. Huge Shire x, doesn't pig so no grid, lovely feeding position for neck flexion, he usually has a bit left in the morning after his 10pm feed. Smaller horse banged her eye in hers and had breathing issues despite the soaking so I just use hers to soak/drain and throw hay on floor. Maxi cob threw the grid down the yard and emptied the cube in half hour. I use hers to soak and then net the contents.

Three of the 4 cubes have leaks where the plastic feet have perished, they are taped up with gorilla tape. They are useful bits of kit, over priced for the quality in my view though.

I did think they were an awful lot of money, my only horse who is messy eating from the floor is 16.3, doesnt need hay soaked, eats sensibly and wouldnt need a grid, just loves to put their front feet in their hay and make a mess.

 

[AdorableAlice]

I did think they were an awful lot of money, my only horse who is messy eating from the floor is 16.3, doesnt need hay soaked, eats sensibly and wouldnt need a grid, just loves to put their front feet in their hay and make a mess.

It’s a new broom for you then, cheaper than a cube

 

[Northern Hare]

Can I ask a daft question about the hay cube please? I'm thinking of getting one for a very messy horse, how easy are they for a horse to move? I used a giant trug and this horse is very fond of sticking a front leg in it pulling it across the stable and ultimately pulling it over. Can the horse still do this with a hay cube?

I had the original version and all was great until I found my 16hh WB/TB standing with both front legs in his Haycube, waiting to be rescued. No idea why he thought that was a good idea!

 

[Birker2020]

Can I ask a daft question about the hay cube please? I'm thinking of getting one for a very messy horse, how easy are they for a horse to move? I used a giant trug and this horse is very fond of sticking a front leg in it pulling it across the stable and ultimately pulling it over. Can the horse still do this with a hay cube?

Can you put some bricks in the bottom or tie the top to the side of the stable?

 

[rextherobber]

Mine would also chuck the haycube about and get stuck in it. Cannot use haynets as bad for the neck and would get stuck in that too. Feeding from the floor is so wasteful.Bought a secondhand Haybar and that does the trick, horse just eats out of it like a normal horse. So far hasn't attempted to climb in it either!

 

[webble]

I have a hay saver with a grid on it, you're welcome to borrow it for a few weeks to see what you think if that would help?

 

[sychnant]

I use a small hole haynet, put in the Hay Cube, with the string out through the drain hole and tied round the handle at the top. My Welsh has worked out every other slow feeder I've tried (and I've tried a few!) this is the only thing that's worked. No more sweeping up spoiled hay!