Metal hay racks vs hay bars

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Vodkagirly

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Are there any significant benefits of using a hay bar vs a metal rack? I hate filling haynets and too much mess putting on the floor so looking for an alternative. Hay bars seem to be more expensive but are they worth it?
 
It all depends on your horse, I'm a firm believer in feeding from the floor. In an attempt to keep a tidier stable, I bought a haybar and it's become a seat and a scratch post for said pony, I've now put a tie ring near the bottom and I tie a net in when I want his rations to last longer. Other than that he usually takes the loose hay out of the haybar anyway and puts it in the floor!!!
However my friends horse happily munches from his haybar with very little mess!!
 
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Nativelover said:
It all depends on your horse, I'm a firm believer in feeding from the floor. In an attempt to keep a tidier stable, I bought a haybar and it's become a seat and a scratch post for said pony, I've now put a tie ring near the bottom and I tie a net in when I want his rations to last longer. Other than that he usually takes the loose hay out of the haybar anyway and puts it in the floor!!!
However my friends horse happily munches from his haybar with very little mess!!
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If you put a largish log on top it stops them being able to pull the hay out so easily. Agree it depends on the horse though. One of mine barely lifts his head out of it so is really neat with it, the other takes his hay out of it and carries it over to his stable door so he can see out while he chews so drops loads over the floor. I really like mine but there do seem to be home-made versions around that work just as well. Personally I hate the hay racks as not only do they put the horse in bad position for eating, but they're a nightmare to fill as they're so high up.
 
Vodkagirly said:
Are there any significant benefits of using a hay bar vs a metal rack? I hate filling haynets and too much mess putting on the floor so looking for an alternative. Hay bars seem to be more expensive but are they worth it?
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personally i don't like hay bars I use plasters bath or hay rack or one of these http://www.amazon.co.uk/Stubbs-Munch-Stations/dp/B00OBKG766

or in conjunction hay rack with bath under so collects any dripping if wet hay or collects small bits for horse to eat later without searching through his bed
 
I don't like hay racks. I have some but I just use them to put stable rugs in.
In a large stable with enough room to have plenty of clear space I use the floor, but I a smaller stable I use a heavy rubber trough. The trough has the advantage of being easy to clean and useless for scratching on, tbh I think mine would just sit on a hay bar.
 
I have always used haybars with my older horse and really like them. My youngster gets through his hay a bit too quickly though so for him a diy made a hay hutch of sorts of of a corner water butt. I cut out two holes at bottom where the tap would be and just fill it up and pop lid on so he can't pull it all out of the top. Its fixed to the wall with brackets and so far has done the job really well. Think it cost me about 50 quid all in to make. You can also get mesh versions of haybars on eBay which look pretty good as if horse leans on them they just fold up so shouldn't break. Might not be good if you have a chewer though!
 
Personally, I would feed from the floor instead of forking out for a hay bar but always a hay bar over a rack for me as it is better for the horses muscles/top line & more natural.
 
Our yard supplies haybars. I like them. Previously my mare caught her rug front fasteners on her haynet and ripped her rug. She still gets enough on the floor to feed naturally but hay doesn't end up all through her bed. They are rounded off well for safety.
 
I use a large blue plastic barrel with the top chopped off, cheap as chips, and much better for the horse.

You can make it as shallow or as deep as you want, and it can be attached to the wall if you have an overly enthusiastic eater :)
 
I have home made hay bars, I much prefer them eating from ground ish level than lifting their necks giraffe like - also I have enough hay in my hair as it is without lifting sections above my head all the time
The proper ones are crazy expensive search on here for DIY options more in the £20-30 range !
 
Have used a haybar for many years with great success.

http://www.haybar.co.uk/FAQ.php

Organic hay gets steamed in haynets first and then it's placed loose in the haybar. We fixed the haybar with an inch and a half gap from the bottom of the haybar to the floor, so I can sweep out the insides of the haybar, the walls and ledge at the bottom, and then sweep it all out completely.
 
Vodkagirly said:
Are there any significant benefits of using a hay bar vs a metal rack? I hate filling haynets and too much mess putting on the floor so looking for an alternative. Hay bars seem to be more expensive but are they worth it?
Click to expand...

We use hay racks here, the normal and the horseage ones, some of the livery owners use plaster baths to keep the hay in and also to catch hay dropped out the racks we put them underneath he racks. Hay bars are way to over priced for what they are so I would never get one or any for this yard.
 
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Horse happily munching away from his haybar. Just to reiterate to leave a bottom few inches to make cleaning out the bottom easier - and for water to drain away if you feed soaked hay.

The pony versions are really cute!
 
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