Hay cube - opinions please

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Horsegirl25

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Thinking about purchasing a hay cube. Got a horse on box rest that’s currently getting soaked hay, having looked at the hay cubes it looks particularly less difficult than using a bucket/haynet.
Anyone used them before? My only concern is said horse is a door kicker/if you tie him in-front of a box best believe his foot is going through that! I am slightly concerned the same will happen with the hay cube especially being bored on box rest. Anyone experienced that being an issue?
 
The sides are fairly thick and solid, but if he's bored there are a lot of ways he could do damage to himself with it, imo.

If you search ( for haycube as well as hay cube) there are a few threads. In particular this one may have useful info for you.

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Post in thread 'Leaking Hay Cube'

This is exactly what I’ve worried about ever since we got a haycube, a few months ago.

It came with two bits of rubber stuck to the two hollow feet. These fell off within one hour.

Moving the cube inevitably means wear on the feet, and someone at hay cube didn’t want to spend the pennies it would cost to make them solid.

My OH also works with industrial tanks, albeit mostly stainless steel, and confirms what Red-1’s OH said: not much will stick to it. Not many people (or companies) have access to a plastic welder. I’ve asked him to check Milliput out..

Ours isn’t leaking…but in time it...

As an update to my contribution in that thread: my horse started to just remove the grid from the box (somehow pulling it through the top) on a regular basis, so I gave up using the grid and he just eats his hay from the box. I now only use the grid as a way to weigh the hay down when it is soaking (brick on top of grid).

The main benefit is still to my back - no heaving around of superheavy net - and that is still quite a big bonus. If I was thinking about the cube again I might consider one of Red-1's models I think.
 
I have them in all of my stables. They make my life so much easier, especially with the horses who require soaked hay.

One previous horse was bad for pawing but I have not had any issues with getting stuck. She did put a leg in but then lifted it straight back out without any dramatics.

I recommend them, and mud control slabs, to everyone with a horse!
 
I had one with both of my ponies, used for soaking or dry hay as preferred to not use nets. Made soaking much easier, as everything could be done in one area. Would use nets in the cube is needed slowing down.
The only annoying things were that the water wouldn't fully drain, and if using haylage it would go mouldy quickly. The handle could do with being taller as i'd have to walk hunched over and i'm 5'4".

First pony was sensible and it worked great.
Tried with the slightly less sensible second pony, and she would throw it around the stable. Would take it out of the bracket as well. The legs that did go in, came out with no issues. She has a haybar now just incase.
 
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I would never use a haycube after finding my cob with both front legs stuck in one. There wasn’t enough space to bend his legs to get him out. We had to cut him out. Luckily he was sensible and waited for help to arrive.
 
Thanks for your thoughts everyone they’re v helpful. The concern of legs getting stuck is quite a big one which sways me towards not especially after it having happened to a few people 🙉 typical as they sound extremely handy!
Has anyone ever put soaked hay in a hay bar/one of those detachable mesh bags? I’m quite keen to feed loose if possible due to him being box rested but also conscious if I feed off the floor he’ll drag through his bed. Not sure if due to the hay being wet all the water would pool at the bottom of the hay bar?
 
Horsegirl25 said:
Thanks for your thoughts everyone they’re v helpful. The concern of legs getting stuck is quite a big one which sways me towards not especially after it having happened to a few people 🙉 typical as they sound extremely handy!
Has anyone ever put soaked hay in a hay bar/one of those detachable mesh bags? I’m quite keen to feed loose if possible due to him being box rested but also conscious if I feed off the floor he’ll drag through his bed. Not sure if due to the hay being wet all the water would pool at the bottom of the hay bar?
Click to expand...
The hay bars have a small gap at the bottom, so water will run out.
 
I made up a hay bar with some rubber matting I measured it up and ensured there was a gap at the bottle so I could sweep underneath it. It made it more funnel shaped wider at the top and slightly narrow at the bottom. I choose to make mine out of rubber matting so it bends if my yearling rubbed on it or played around with it also if he did get his leg stuck then it would be easier to get it out.
 
been using hay cubes for years with a selection of thuggy stallions and never had one get in a pickle with it-the smallest pony sometimes hooks a leg in it but extracts himself without drama

i will say although they are great in theory you do get a lot of manky yucky wet hay collect in the hollow corners that needs digging out by hand daily or its a minging sloppy stinky mess, mine only have slightly damped hay and i still have to do this (i actually fill the hollow corners with sawdust to absorb the wet and then its easier to scoop that out with a gloved hand)
 
I couldn’t get on with the hay cube for mine - albeit he doesn’t get soaked hay. He just used to pull all the hay out of the cube and onto the floor but the grill made it so he couldn’t eat from it without ending up chucking it about the stable. I never thought it held enough for him either for overnight.

I have a Hay Saver now which is much better - although I’ve made the holes bigger as he doesn’t need slowing down just stopping from pulling it all out in search of the best strand!
 
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