Hay in stable suggestions… tossing on the floor

[equidstar11]

Hi, the horses are back in at night as the fields are bogged, and I’m already mucking out 2 huge overflowing wheelbarrows per stable, all of wasted hay mixed into their bedding. Not only is this wasting the hay (which is bloody expensive) but also a load of the bedding, and it’s a right pain to muck out, also they end up running out of hay and get antsy until the morning.

They won’t ‘learn’ and eat it off the floor if I don’t give them more, it’s been the same way for years now.

The stables have the large haybars as I’m really not a fan of haynets for postural / muscle / teeth etc issues. The stables also aren’t massive so the hay boxes with grills etc are a bit too big / take up too much floor space.

Now i’m looking for a solution to stop them throwing the hay on the floor, the literally scoop it up and flick it on the floor… but ideally without nets. The only thing i’ve seen that looks suitable is a haygain forager, but they’re extortionate.

Any other ideas, that will still be good posture? Or even some DIY haygain foragers…? Thanks

 

[MNMyShiningStars]

I had a haycube for my horse back when he was stabled, which helped with the mess. I think they do them with grills now. They are not too bulky, definitely less so than a hay box.
I used to give him a haycube full and a haynet so he could choose, and potentially for a greedy one would mean if the haycube was eaten, they'd still have hay left in a net if needed x

 

[JBM]

Barrel with a hole at bottom?
Something like so

 

[equidstar11]

Barrel with a hole at bottom?
Something like so

That barrel with the holes looks like a haygain. Potentially could DIY a version of that…

 

[equidstar11]

I had a haycube for my horse back when he was stabled, which helped with the mess. I think they do them with grills now. They are not too bulky, definitely less so than a hay box.
I used to give him a haycube full and a haynet so he could choose, and potentially for a greedy one would mean if the haycube was eaten, they'd still have hay left in a net if needed x

Thanks!
I bought a haycube to try but it’s WAY too small, he gets through it immediately unfortunately…

 

[Hallo2012]

i can cram a slice and half of big bale hay/haylage in my hay cube? don't shake it out/fluff it up fold it in half and CRAM!

 

[sport horse]

Are you feeding too much at a time? I feed 20 horses all off the floor and we get very little wastage and all the horses are very well covered!

 

[Polos Mum]

Could you fix a tie up ring at the bottom of the haybar and attach a haynet to that? Then posture is OK and hopefully they don't get feet stuck in hay net as it's protected by the hay bar?

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

Hi, the horses are back in at night as the fields are bogged, and I’m already mucking out 2 huge overflowing wheelbarrows per stable, all of wasted hay mixed into their bedding. Not only is this wasting the hay (which is bloody expensive) but also a load of the bedding, and it’s a right pain to muck out, also they end up running out of hay and get antsy until the morning.

They won’t ‘learn’ and eat it off the floor if I don’t give them more, it’s been the same way for years now.

The stables have the large haybars as I’m really not a fan of haynets for postural / muscle / teeth etc issues. The stables also aren’t massive so the hay boxes with grills etc are a bit too big / take up too much floor space.

Now i’m looking for a solution to stop them throwing the hay on the floor, the literally scoop it up and flick it on the floor… but ideally without nets. The only thing i’ve seen that looks suitable is a haygain forager, but they’re extortionate.

Any other ideas, that will still be good posture? Or even some DIY haygain foragers…? Thanks

I use haynet the shires ones so minimal waste I won't put hay on the floor as it will get trampled by my wasteful mare.

 

[MarvelVillis]

Wheelie bin with hole cut out the bottom?

 

[catkin]

I split their hay ration into two or three small small-holed haynets per horse and tie them around the stable. They move about from net to net (always tastes better in the one they are not using dont'cha know ).
Far from perfect but mimics foraging a bit and is fairly easy to trial?

 

[Identityincrisis]

Could you fix a tie up ring at the bottom of the haybar and attach a haynet to that? Then posture is OK and hopefully they don't get feet stuck in hay net as it's protected by the hay bar?

This is what I do (ring at the bottom, out to the side so it’s easily accessible) i tie the haynet and put it in the haybar upside down and tie to the ring at the bottom. It’s eliminated all the wastage

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

Put the hay in a large hole haynet but in the haybar, tie the string at the bottom so it doesn't get pulled out. The large holed one should reduce any tension on the neck as much as poss

ETA: Just seen thats' already been suggested! I didn't read all replies!

 

[Ahrena]

I have exactly this issue.
I have resorted to using large hole hay nets in the haybar.
As they’re in the haybar, I can hang them low and being large hole, they don’t have to work hard to get the hay out but it does significantly reduce wastage.

 

[tda]

Where in the stable is the hay put? Are the horses taking a mouthful, going over to the door to look out, dropping bits on the way, back to the hay, repeat?

 

[equidstar11]

Where in the stable is the hay put? Are the horses taking a mouthful, going over to the door to look out, dropping bits on the way, back to the hay, repeat?

No, they both literally stick their nose in the middle and toss it out of the hay bar. They will then eat a bit off the floor but then they’ll trample and wee in it.

I’ve tried using shavings and straw as bedding and it’s the same issue with either.

I think I’ll try the large holes haynet in the hay bar, seems like a good idea! Thanks all

 

[tda]

No, they both literally stick their nose in the middle and toss it out of the hay bar. They will then eat a bit off the floor but then they’ll trample and wee in it.

I’ve tried using shavings and straw as bedding and it’s the same issue with either.

I think I’ll try the large holes haynet in the hay bar, seems like a good idea! Thanks all

Fussy I agree the net within the haybar is the best option

 

[Roasted Chestnuts]

My dad made me a wooden Stubbs munch station and it’s perfect for our needs

 

[HopOnTrot]

I have half a round shatter proof water tank screwed to the corner of each stable, DH is a plumber so it was a free option. I can tie haynets inside so spillage stays in the tank. They are only fixed at the top so easy to clean.