Wheelyhay - has anyone used one??

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hannahealasaid

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Hi there

Sorry, I'm probably not being very helpful. I can't comment on the wheelyhay as I've never seen one put to the test.

However, I've had a Hay Bar for many years now and can highly recommend it. It's still as good as new. Thanks to a (quick and easy) fixing to the stable wall by my hubby, as per the instructions, I've got complete peace of mind that it's secured safely. Nothing can go wrong with it and it's one of the best investments I've made since buying my horse, probably only second to his rubber matting.

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

I feed my hay soaked, and it's been fitted with a gap between the bottom of the haybar and the floor, in order for any water to drain away easily. In hindsight I should have had the gap even bigger, as it would be much easier to clean out if you can fit e.g. a dustpan into the gap at the bottom to sweep out older bits of hay and seeds/dust that settled. I usually clean it out every few days by using a shavings fork (bringing it up and out over the top rolled edge) followed by a broom (sweeping any remaining bits of seeds etc forward and out at the bottom gap).

I'm not very tall so I can't reach all the way to the bottom by leaning over the top when cleaning it out. That's unless I drape myself over the edge and do a handstand - not a pretty sight... I make sure that only my horse is there to witness this... Even though the haybar doesn't move at all when I do this, I wouldn't recommend this method!

My horse is 16.2hh so your 17hh horse would very easily be able to get to all the hay.

I don't fill mine up to the very top any more, as my horse can then be a bit messy with the hay and pull some of it out and get it into his bed, i.e. wasting some of it. But if it's about 3/4 full, then there's hardly any wastage. (Apart from feeding hay in the haybar, I also tie up a small-holed haynet with soaked hay to ensure he doesn't run out of hay during the night.)
 
That's quite expensive for what is essentially a wheelie bin with the top cut off! You could probably make one quite easily :)
 
I would be worried that it could topple over when horse was rummaging around for the bottom half of the hay. I drain mine on a trolley and feed from the floor.
 
Presumably the grid slides down as the horse eats the hay - but doesn't actually say so anywhere. It would also be a bit worried that the tap at the bottom could get knocked off and damaged.

Overall, quite a good idea. I think there is a fair amount of work involved in making it. There was somethink similar at YHL years and years ago, a hayfeeder on wheels with a grid over the top, but that was around £300.

I would be interested to see it in action somewhere.
 
I bought a wheelyhay last year because I have to soak my ems mares hay,it has been a godsend.Rather dear and I have issues with the tap because I find it very stiff to turn and takes a while to drain,however I wouldn't be without it.My mare is 15.2 and loves it although you always waste a bit as the grid stops the horse getting the bottom bit.
 
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I don't think toppling over would be an issue as they are clipped to the wall.
Also why would putrid water be a problem? They drain so if you wanted to rinse again after soaking then wouldn't you just leave the tap open?

How much do they actually hold oldgreymare?
 
OLDGREYMARE said:
I bought a wheelyhay last year because I have to soak my ems mares hay,it has been a godsend.Rather dear and I have issues with the tap because I find it very stiff to turn and takes a while to drain,however I wouldn't be without it.My mare is 15.2 and loves it although you always waste a bit as the grid stops the horse getting the bottom bit.
Click to expand...

Interesting to hear of your experience of it. will get hubby to make one I think.
 
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