Help for my DT Project!

H

Hannah.b0urne

New User
Joined
8 July 2025
Messages
4
Visit site
Hello! My name is Hannah and for my A-Level Design and Technology project I am hoping to create a solution to feeding horses.
My goal is to create something that can feed horses in a variety of areas, for example, in stables in fields ect. I also want to make something easily fillable and compatible with using soaked hay- the main goal is for it to not create a mess when being refilled like a hay net often can be.
I need to do some product and market research and was wondering whether anyone has any suggestions for products, or even better, if you have created your own solution to feeding your horses/ ponies?
What sort of things would you like to see in a product for feeding horses? -any specifics will help!

Thank you for your time! ☺️
 
Oooh - good project! I built a dolls' house for mine. It was great fun but yours is much more imaginative.

So, things I would want from that kind of a product:
  • Made of cheap but robust materials - there are products that do this kind of thing but they're typically really expensive
  • Easy to get the hay from the soaker into the feeding container - so maybe a low, wide rectangular container?
  • Something movable....maybe it could have a single roller wheel on the bottom of one end, then two rubber feet on the bottom at the other end, plus a handle so you could pick the foot end up and roll the whole lot along
 
Not so much on the functional design side but I'd imagine you'd get marks for a sustainably produced item - made out of recycled bottles or something like that.

Ideal points for me would be that it doesn't rot in the field, has drainage holes, isn't easily kicked around or broken, and is fairly easy to move.

ETA: I have large wooden boxes, about 1mx1m but 70cm height, which I can fit a whole hay bale in. They are old and rotting so would like something that won't rot again.
 
If you could design an inexpensive slow forage feeder that’s easy to stuff you’ll be a millionaire!

Something that doesn’t rot in winter and can withstand being kicked around by hangry ponies who want food now would be good. 😄
 
I agree that something on a timer so that you could feed small amounts of hay at, say, 2 or 3 hour intervals to enable trickle feeding while also restricting intake would be amazing. Showing that you're filling a gap in the market to meet a welfare need would surely win you extra marks!
 
I'm currently looking for some kind of bracket I can put on the wall that holds my gorilla trug feed buckets, that could be folded down or unclipped after use. as I have a mare who chucks her feed around if she's fed from the floor! so will take me 15 mins where i have to stand and hold her bucket twice a day haha
 
I’ve often considered getting something I can attach my water bucket to at shoulder heightso it’s not on the floor but there doesn’t seem to be anything that exists (for sale the large gorilla tub trugs) so that could be a good route to go down!
 
Thank you so much for all of your input! It has really helped me with my market research and design ideas!
Upon LOTS of research, studies and designing I decided to look into the route of safely and easily hoisting a haynet to be tied (something I have always hated doing myself and I know others feel the same). This idea was not what I originally intended but due to limitations in time and the making facilities I had on hand, it made the most sense.

My idea and what I have created is something that can be easily moved from stable to stable (so you only need to buy one + small wall brackets per stable- to keep costs down) and uses carabiner clips to easily connect to loops and the haynet- the main mechanism used a 'pumping' with your foot (so that hands are kept free) and as your legs are one of the biggest muscles (especially for us riders!). I hope this explanation makes sense- if you want I can attempt to attach some sketches of my idea!

I just wanted to ask what people's thoughts were on this idea and what they think would be helpful or if they thing the product is useful or a complete waste of time 😬🫣

Thank you for your time and pointers- I really appreciate it!
 
Sounds a good idea to me. I find full haynets when soaked can be very heavy and I have good upper body strength. Have also landed on my bum more than once when the string has snapped. Good luck. Hope you get it done in time.
 
Domirati said:
Sounds a good idea to me. I find full haynets when soaked can be very heavy and I have good upper body strength. Have also landed on my bum more than once when the string has snapped. Good luck. Hope you get it done in time.
Click to expand...
thank you! that was my exact same thought with getting soaked and it just being abit of a faff
 
D66 said:
How about something like a wheelybin with a hatch at the bottom like the electric operated doors that hen houses have to shut them in at night. They could be filled with hay and taken to the field and would open up at a preset time.
Click to expand...
oooh that's a good idea!
 
  • Like
Reactions: D66
A wheelbarrow that has a cube top rather than the tray, enabling it to be wheeled from place to place (including fields). Tap on front or side to allow drainage after soaking.

Hannah, I'm sure your teachers have spoken to you about this, but do not put ANYTHING in the public domain if you later intend to protect your intellectual property, not even a rough sketch. I doubt your teachers will be too clued up on IP, but do some Googling on how to protect designs or if your parents have any contacts in IP Law/design/engineering seek advice. I'm not sure a closed classroom classes as public (university seminars do), but I'd hate for someone to nick your idea and make millions.
 
Hannah.b0urne said:
Thank you so much for all of your input! It has really helped me with my market research and design ideas!
Upon LOTS of research, studies and designing I decided to look into the route of safely and easily hoisting a haynet to be tied (something I have always hated doing myself and I know others feel the same). This idea was not what I originally intended but due to limitations in time and the making facilities I had on hand, it made the most sense.

My idea and what I have created is something that can be easily moved from stable to stable (so you only need to buy one + small wall brackets per stable- to keep costs down) and uses carabiner clips to easily connect to loops and the haynet- the main mechanism used a 'pumping' with your foot (so that hands are kept free) and as your legs are one of the biggest muscles (especially for us riders!). I hope this explanation makes sense- if you want I can attempt to attach some sketches of my idea!

I just wanted to ask what people's thoughts were on this idea and what they think would be helpful or if they thing the product is useful or a complete waste of time 😬🫣

Thank you for your time and pointers- I really appreciate it!
Click to expand...

Not something I’ve seen on the market so great idea for new product. With a pitch towards biomechanics/reducing human aches & pains too.

Winches at the soaking area too.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top