5 DIY Slow Feed Hay Feeders

Here are five ways to save hay, money and improve the health of your horse.

Every equestrian knows horses love to eat and eat to live. While it may seem gluttonous, numerous studies have proven their digestive systems are designed for grazing. In an ideal world, horses would chew 16 to 17 hours a day according to Kentucky Performance Products. Consequently, slow feed hay bags are all the latest rage.

If for some reason the traditional hay bag doesn’t work for your horse, here are five DIY projects to check out.

1. Trash Can Feeders

There are several variations of this on Pinterest. Ideally, I think you would want to keep these in a dry location and secured to the wall. I know my horses would not hesitate to rip the top off and eat their hay the easy way.

There are also consumer products if you want something that looks a little more polished. I love the idea of this feeder having wheels.

Zeldenrust

2. Tub Feeders

Options are endless with this style of feeder. You could recycle, utilizing a water trough that no longer holds water or a large tire. Or you could show off your handyman skills by building an entire structure from new wood.

3. Fence Mounted Hay Bags

Why will hay bag mouths stay open one day and refuse to do so the next? How does it get so tangled!?! That is one of life’s mysteries that these modified hay bags plan on solving. I love the idea of easily loading a hay bag from the fence line.  Brillz!

4. Wall Rack Feeders

I think these are also really clever and a good use of corner space. I have one horse that loves to paw, so it wouldn’t work for him, but my other two would have no issues with this design.

5. Hay Feeders for Over Achievers

These last few examples combine many of the styles above while throwing in a  little something extra. Bonus points if you can essentially make a toy out of two Dollar Store laundry baskets.

To be linked to more information on any of these feeders as well as lots of other cool stuff, check out Horsenista’s Pinterest!

Visit Horsenista’s profile on Pinterest.

Go Riding.