Slow Feeder For Horses

[@TrailriderLC]

My husband made 4 for my horses and I've been using the for almost 8 yrs. They are fabulous and we did raise them up to keep the out of the muck in the winter. Best idea ever! I have had to replace the grid wall racks twice but that is nothing.

[@mommydanna]

Yes, one bale in the 2x4 box and 3 bales in the 4x4 box. I do not "fluff". But I do cut off strings. I also find it better to load bales on their side so the rough side facing up. They seem to grab it better that way.

[@mommydanna]

UPDATE!!! So here we are a year later. I did finally raise the boxes up higher and pin them to the ground so they wouldn't slide down the hill. They did nibble on the boxes some at the beginning (you'll notice that on the corners in the photos), but they don't do that anymore. Overall, horses are MUCH happier and we notice significantly less bickering and bite marks in the herd. "Hay bellies" disappeared within 2 weeks!! I would never go back to flaking out hay twice a day. I don't recommend more than 4 horses per 4'x4' box. Here is a link to photos of what I did to raise them up: plus.google.com/photos/112621941928235638414/albums/5945497551396872113

[@becky2425]

How do you keep the wood from rotting long term? Did you lay a foundation under the feeder? They look great.

[@mommydanna]

No, no cribbing, but we did have some issues with a yearling stepping inside and bending up my grates! Had to have stronger grate welded, but now it's working GREAT!

[@mommydanna]

If you are able to get the painted grids from KC Fixtures (they come in black and chrome powder coat finish), they will not get as hot. But over time, that coating will wear off and I'm not sure how hot they will be. I'll know soon though because it will be heating up here!

[@pamelapeterson2987]

Please, please check your horses' teeth if using metal grids like this in your slow feeders. All three of my horses have damage to their front incisors in the form of a horizontal groove from feeding out of this type of slow feeder. I love the idea of a slow feeder, and aside from the tooth damage, these worked great, but I will never use a metal grid ever again.

[@thadboman4340]

Pamela Peterson what would you use instead of metal?

[@ListenToYourHorse]

Good point! But you have to check teeth/gums regularly with hay nets as well. I have 11 horses and use both grates and nets. A couple of my horses had teeth issues with the metal grates with 2-inch openings, but all are fine with the 4-inch openings. If you offer both, then your horse also has the option to choose which feels best for them. But either way, you still need to check teeth/gums regularly - especially for the first couple of years.

[@pamelapeterson2987]

@@ListenToYourHorse Hi, I have been using 1-inch hole slow feed hay nets for more than 2 years now without any new teeth damage or gum damage. The metal grates I was using at the time that caused the damage to my horses' teeth was a 4 x 4 grid.

[@lnlfarms]

Like the idea but not sure if it would work up here in snow country...unless we found a way to place it inside. Do you get much snow at your location. Anyone chew on the ropes?

[@mommydanna]

When the hay if full, they have no problem clearing the snow. But if you get a big storm when the hay is low, you'll have to scoop snow out for them!

[@mommydanna]

Oh and no, no horse ever chewed the ropes.

[@lnlfarms]

Thank you for the reply....one more question...how long have you been using them?

[@mommydanna]

Lewis W. One year this month.

[@Julesy980]

Ah, nice, yeah, I'd definitely want the strings cut at least, but the putting it in on its side is a nice tip, and obviously doesn't take extra effort.

[@willlatham4084]

Are you still using these slow feeders?

[@barbprueitt]

Hi Danna, where did you purchase the wire mesh for the inside of the feeder, i am having trouble finding it for my feeders. Please advise thanks Barb prueitt

[@Julesy980]

Can you just put full bales in? I mean, do you have to "fluff" the hay? I'm looking for something that I could use in a boarding situation, and it can't require a lot of extra work for the guy. The ideal would be the hay lasting about 2 days before refilling. Less work for the guy, and if it rains the hay wouldn't start to go bad, since it's not covered, after all. And of course, happy, grazing horses.

[@katrinaandthetube]

Did up put draining holes in the bottom piece of plywood?

[@mommydanna]

Yes.

[@mickikeiser2028]

Danna- Thank you for sharing your video and things you would change in the future. I have been receiving a lot of resistance from my boarding facility about using one. (I'm building and paying for it.) I was told that these grids ruin teeth and two different people told me that the horses tore them apart in a day. My horse is in a paddock with my daughters horse. I am planning on making smaller boxes so that they could be moved easily if we leave this facility. The design is 2' x 2 1/2' and 2' high. We will be cutting the gridwall to fit each box since they come in 2 x 5 foot sections as an option. Any thoughts on the ruining of the teeth and/or feeder? Also, my boarding caretaker says that it doesn't slow them down. She will need to feed twice a day anyway. Note: we will be attaching these boxes to the fence near where they are fed so that it will be easier to fill them.

[@mommydanna]

+Micki Keiser If your horse put their feet in them, the grids will be trashed in a day. We had a couple young horses that ruined our grids pretty fast, but then other horses did fine and they lasted a long time. For the young horses, we ended up welding up a stronger grid that won't bend if they put their feet in the box. We've had no trouble with teeth. The grides definitely slow them down AND there is zero waste because they can't pull it out and toss it around (making stall clean out easier too). If you put a full bale in the box, your barn would not have to feed twice a day. Maybe only every other day!

[@draciborska]

My horse broke a front tooth on the grid. Netting is far better.

[@ajsmitten2819]

So would you post which materials are needed for which feeder and how to put them together please?also the pony feeder does the grid come already at that size of did you have to cut that one? I really appreciate it.

[@jacquelinelane3159]

My horses, when I fill our wooden crates, pull the wire over the top. How do you fasten the metal wire on. I've tried bale twine, it snaps.

[@AuntieFan]

How deep are the boxes? I'm having someone build us a box, but would like better specs to give him other than just showing him the video.

[@pamelapeterson2987]

Please be aware that metal grates can cause damage to your horses teeth as it did to three of my horses. Please check your horses teeth regularly .

[@wshnonastarfire]

how is the coating on the gridwall holding up after a year and a half? thanks!

[@kenburkham5483]

The horses are made crazy by the smell of all the shake that falls through and settles to the bottom

[@thadboman4340]

Have y'all made any for the 3x3x8 bales?

[@brianwillyard9482]

What is the size of the grate openings? 3"x3"?

[@mommydanna]

yes, 3in. I bought them here:www.kc-store-fixtures.com/standard-gridwall-panels/gridwall-panel-2w-x-4h-black/ Some of young horses stepped on it an bent it up so we ended up having something custom welded for some of the boxes. Others are still working fine with this grate. I also think hay netting would work well too (ie, from www.texashaynet.com)

[@NastjaPungracic]

hey, Danna, I love your video...we are just wondering what kind of wood you used and maybe why would you recommend it? Our concern is if we use light wood, the horses would be able to trip over the smaller feeders. And how do these feeders handle rain - when there's lots of it - does the water drain nicely?

[@mommydanna]

+Nastja Pungracic (Photographer) Just basic lumber from a lumber yard, plywood for sides and bottom. Drains out really well.

[@lisaflowers9918]

For drainage, did you put small holes in the bottom so it can drain? Also do you have four horses per box and how much hay are you going thru? I have three but one horse is very low on the pecking order so I think I would like to make 2 so she could get to it. Thanks for sharing!

[@mommydanna]

+Lisa Flowers Holes weren't necessary because the floor (plywood) has space all the around for drainage. (that's how you get the rope through). Yes we did 4 horses per box. A couple young horses kept putting a leg in a bending the grids so we finally had a friend weld a heavier duty grid together. If boxes were higher, horses would be less likely to put a leg in. Plan for 1/2 bale a day per horse.

[@kathymarshall5639]

Metal grates are known now to cause terrible teeth wear and damage. Nets or soft grates like nibble nets are much safer

[@thadboman4340]

Where do you get the grid ?

[@mommydanna]

KC Fixtures

[@sudburyhouse]

The metal grates are too rigid. Using a mesh hay net type of grate would make it easier for the horses to actually get some hay. You could then just put in full bales. If the hay flattens out under the metal ones they can’t possibly get enough hay. Eventually maybe but certainly not a natural grazing event for them. Too much work! Seems a little unfair and only suited to the human. A flexible mesh would allow them to push into it to get to the hay and still slow them down and have less waste.

[@blondebat100]

we frame the top so no rope needed.

[@lisaflowers9918]

+Lynn Utecht How do you get the grid out it if you frame it in? I was thinking of putting a slit after framing it and then could slid the grid in.

[@mommydanna]

No, we did not.