Hayracks - yay or nay?

winchester

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I currently have 3 in and is soon to be 4! really need some time saving ideas. My biggest thing is haynets! I try to make lots up on a Saturday but i still run out by Wednesday and then struggling to make them for the rest of the week!

I have tried a haybar and didnt get on with it... just mixed in to my beds and was a nightmare trying to muck out! i watched him as soon as he went in put his nose to the bottom took the whole lot out and put it on the floor!

What are peoples views on Hay racks? Dangerous or not?
 
I use a Stubbs corner feeding station in one stable - that has the triangular bucket in the top so stops them pulling hay/haylage out apart from through the bars. I use a haybar in another stable - he does pull some out. I have a hayrack in my 3rd stable and hayracks in my field shelters. I do use wheelie bins in the fields, which we converted to feeders and these could be used in a stable - you do need to secure them to the wall though, but they would hold a whole bale of hay so last a couple of nights :) I must say the wheelie bins are the biggest time saver for me - that and making up 2 days worth of feeds at a time.

IMAG0337.jpg
 
I actually find hay bars much tidier in the stable, my hay racks are only useful for rug storage :rolleyes:

I don't like hay racks as have had a horse with respiratory problems and this doesn't help, its much better for them to eat with their necks downwards, for respiratory and their backs, its much more natural...

I also find that with racks/nets there's always hay underneath them, which has fallen whilst the horse has been eating...
 
I like hay racks, dont like hay bars

i have normal racks and haylage ones

also use plasters baths for the ones who need to eat at ground level

I also find that with racks/nets there's always hay underneath them, which has fallen whilst the horse has been eating...

I get around this by putting one
of these underneath catches every dropped piece

trough.jpg
 
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Love the wheelybin idea :) !!!


So do I!

You could also use a normal round dustbin tied to the wall.

FWIW, I have racks and like them as it kills my back to fill haynets but I would use the floor if anything had dodgy respiration. I find my greedy gannets clear up every bit even if it has fallen down, it's only wasted if they were given too much in the first place.
 
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