Idea for hay in field?

[Pidge]

I know this should be in SY but get more people in here. We have hardcore around the gate and currently feed hay on the floor there for our 2 horses. Would it be better to put it in a large tub truck as opposed to straight on the floor? Was thinking of 2 tubs (horses get on very well together) weighted down with a couple of bricks in the bottom. Is this a good idea or not? What do other people do?

 

[ihatework]

We put ours in a large tractor tyre, works very well indeed. The ground around it gets a bit cut up but soon recovers in the spring.

 

[jayvee]

The idea sounds great. My only concern is I wouldn't like my horses standing on hardcore for ages daily.

 

[Pidge]

not enough space for a tractor tyre I'm afraid.
Is it better standing on hardcore than in mud? We are below the water table and on clay so field is wet and muddy.

 

[Boysy]

The hardcore will actually be good for their feet as it'll give them a little time to dry a bit.... much better than stood in he wet muck all the time.

 

[henryhorn]

I 'd rather have them on hardcore than mud!
Try the tractor tyre idea, it would work better than the tubs, we use V shaped round bale feeders, they aren't cheap to buy but stop wastage.

 

[clipclop]

Always have had my haylage in a round bale feeder on hardcore. The field stays tidy and their feet get to dry out.

I now have it in a feeder inside a field shelter (on hardcore with straw to catch the poo)
Mine are out 24/7.

 

[Pidge]

thanks for this as I always feed the hay on the hardcore so that they are not stood in mud for too long.
Will see if I can get a tyre from somewhere to wedge the tub truck in as a tractor tyre would be ideal but would be too big. Would be tempted by proper feeder but am trying not to spend more than I have to at the moment.

 

[cloppy]

go to a builders merchants they have large wooden crates which they have had bricks etc delivered in and will sell them very cheaply or even free.

 

[Twiglet]

You can buy the oversized tub trugs, I think they'd be ideal. I feed from one in the stable, it takes at least 4 big soaked sections, and seems to stop it getting wasted.