Ring hay feeders

MagicMelon

Well-Known Member
Joined
6 November 2004
Messages
16,399
Location
North East Scotland
Visit site
Does anybody use them with their horses?

Im thinking of getting one for 1 of my paddocks which has 2 small ponies in it (shetland and a 13.2hh). But Im unsure what type to get (are there certain ones which are better for ponies?). And also where to get them and how much they generally are? Obviously Id like as cheap as possible but in good condition. Also, can you get any with rooves on them to keep the rain off the hay?
 
My only worry with ponies is if you are going to use large round bales you have no way of knowing how much they are eating which could be an issue.
 
Depends on the ponies GypsyCob. I feed mine adlib hayledge all year round, she never gets fat or fizzy on it.

Ours sometimes help themselves from the cattle ring feeder and have no problems.
 
Thanks Kerilli, Ill have a look at the link now.

GypsyCob - its not a problem as the 2 ponies live in a hardcored yard, both are very prone to laminitis nowadays, one goes out on minimal grass at night and the other literally gets 5 mins grazing a day. So the only thing they have to eat in the yard is hay. Ive filled haynets all the time up until now, but figure it'd be so much easier to just give them access to a large bale.
 
I've just got a large Hay Hutch which I'm keeping in reserve for the winter, so can't say yet whether it works or not. But I liked the idea of (a) a roof and (b) a floor to minimise waste. I was reluctant to get a standard feeder ring in case the (very small) donkey tried to climb in...
 
i worry that the holes in the hay hutch are too low for horses, fine for ponies though i think. don't like to think of mine having to crane their necks sideways to get to the hay, i can see at least one bashing the top with its hooves to gain direct access...!
 
Top