Innovative Stall Feeder Options

by Lisa Kiley – published in the Horsemen’s Corral December 2020

Last month we discussed some different ways to save on feed when feeding hay outside.  This month we will focus on some innovative options that make feeding inside of your stalls an easier process.  There are a few key reasons why these products may be worth a try.  One of the biggest reasons for looking at different styles of feeders is to help with feed cost savings.  If you can employ a feeder that helps save feed, you will typically see a return on investment within a few months of feed bills.  Additionally, many of the feeders that are made for horses are now looking at ways to help slow horses down when eating which is more natural and better for their digestive health. 

No Spill Feeders – There is usually one horse in every barn that likes to make sport out of flinging grain out of the feeder and onto the ground.  Fortunately, there is a solution with several styles of no spill feeders.  Some have just a simple lip that helps keep the grain from being easily knocked out.  Other designs offer a rounded bottom that makes it harder for the horse to move the grain up the sides of the feeder.  Feed saver rings can be added to some round feeders, to convert a standard feeder into a no spill and is one of the most economical options.  If your horse is spilling feed from the mouth, it may not be the feeder’s fault and a dental check-up might be in order. 

Slow Feed Hay Nets – These feeders have a smaller opening than a standard hay net.  These smaller openings will help slow down feeding mimicking more natural grazing which is good for their digestive health and helps to curb boredom.  When introducing your horse to a slow feed hay net, it is important that you take the time to slowly convert over from free choice to slow nets.  Horses can get frustrated with not being able to get hay at their normal pace.  The best way to do this is to put some hay into the net and still provide free choice hay.  Slowly move the ratio until the horse gets used to eating out of the slow feeder.  The bags are typically made of either a web, or nylon.  Usually web hay bags are going to hold up longer over time while nylon bags will need to be replaced more frequently, as they can be damaged by horses’ teeth over time.  When looking for slow feeder hay net, there are different size openings that you can get, but most are 1” to 2” openings. 

Hay Net Accessories – If you find it difficult to load your slow feed hay net or struggle when securing it in a way so your horse can’t detach it and get caught up, you may want to invest in something that will aid with loading and/or mounting the hay net.  There are some reasonable options that can help you load the nets making the task instantly easier.  There are also products that mount to the wall and hold the hay net in such a way that it can be mounted lower to make eating out of nets more closely resemble natural grazing.  Whenever choosing products like this, make sure that the edges are smooth and the net is installed properly to help minimize any chance that the horse will injure himself on the feeder.  Frequently check the net and replace or repair if it is showing wear so that a larger hole in the net will not pose a risk to catching a leg. 

Stall Ground Feeders – These feed units are an innovative installation that is a natural slow feeder for your horse.  In a way, they mimic a ‘no spill’ feeder for hay, they are deeper and contain the hay in a corner or wall style feeder.  One of the most popular feeders like this, allows the hay to be thrown into the feeder and the horse reaches in to get it, but can’t fling it out.  What assists with this is that on each side of the feeder is a container for grain and minerals, which will help to keep the hay in the feeder.  The feeder can be fastened to the wall or left to free stand in a corner or along the wall.  There are also other feeders with a similar concept that have a grill or webbing that slides over the top of the feeder that will additionally limit rate of speed of eating while keeping the hay from being spread all around the stall and wasted, as the horse eats, the grate or webbing retracts down to the bottom of the feeder without allowing the horse to get caught up in it.

Stall Upgrades – There are also some helpful installations that can be made in the stall itself to make feeding time more efficient.  Swing out feed doors are helpful at feeding time.  While it is important to look in on your horse a few times a day and make sure they are in good health, a swing out feed door can make it easier to perform some of your chores.  Swing out feed doors can help keep things neat and tidy and help avoid a horse that likes to grab hay or grain from you as you walk in the stall.  Hay and grain feeders can be affixed to the swinging door itself or adjusted in such a way that you can fill the feeders in the stall when the door is open.  Scoop sized grain opening situated above a grain feeder can also make grain feeding easy and efficient. 

Sometimes just a few innovative products can save time and money while leading to more efficiency in day to day chores.