The Benefits of Hay Feeders, Hay Nets, and Slow Feeders

Hay feeders are becoming increasingly common in pastures, paddocks, and paddock paradises. Whether at private homes, boarding stables, riding schools, or retirement farms, more and more people are recognizing the advantages of hay feeders. They offer an ideal and safe way to provide horses with hay year-round, especially during the autumn and winter months. When used in combination with a hay net, they can slow down feeding (so-called “slow feeding”) and significantly reduce hay waste. This is particularly important when feeding larger groups of horses, as almost as much hay can be wasted as consumed. In addition, slow feeding encourages calmer eating behavior when horses have unrestricted access to forage.

Our hay feeders are available in two versions: one with a Swedish (palisade-style) feed fence and one witha a safety feed fence.

Differences Between the Hay Feeders

Both types of hay feeders are largely similar and come equipped with:

• 12 feeding spaces
• Standard roof edge (prevents horses from injuring their heads on sharp roof edges)
• Three-point hitch for lifting with a tractor
• Protective bar for the three-point hitch (prevents horses from injuring their legs)
• Adjustable leg height
• Adjustable roof height
• Two side panels that open easily for refilling
• Galvanized finish

The hay feeder with the safety feed fence is specially developed for horses. This fence design prevents horses from jumping into the feeder and reduces feed-related aggression, as horses find it harder to chase each other away. The Swedish feed fence version is also sometimes used for cattle in addition to horses.

Both feeders are designed to keep hay off the ground at all times by placing the bale or loose hay inside the bin. The roof helps protect the hay from rain and snow exposure.

Health Benefits for Your Horse

A bale of hay exposed to a single rain shower usually won’t suffer much damage. However, after several days of rain, mold can begin to grow in the bales. Mold produces toxins known as mycotoxins, which negatively affect your horse’s health. These can cause liver and kidney damage, ataxia, respiratory issues, and nerve disorders. In cases of sudden poisoning, your horse may become lethargic, lose appetite, and experience diarrhea. Clearly, keeping hay as dry as possible is crucial for your horse’s health.

Hay waste is also greatly reduced with the use of a hay feeder. Horses will trample less hay and are unable to contaminate it with manure or urine. To further reduce waste, large hay nets are available that fit inside the feeders. These can be secured to the feeder when a new bale is placed, or more conveniently, attached to a frame inside the feeder. With the frame option, when replacing the bale, simply open one of the side panels, release the frame from the bottom, fold it up, insert the new bale, then fold the frame back down, secure it, close the panel, and the horses can continue feeding immediately.

Prevent Excessively Wet Ground Around Your Horses

A common issue in autumn and winter is overly wet ground, which causes horses to stand in mud. This can lead to issues like mud fever or thrush. One solution is to install Terra-Grids either just around the hay feeder or over a larger area in the paddock—to help keep your horses’ hooves dry and safe. Grass tiles can also be laid in pastures to protect the grass surface from being trampled. Thanks to the alternating open spaces in the tiles, grass can grow through them, allowing horses to continue grazing naturally.

These Terra-Grids are easy to install, non-slip, UV- and frost-resistant, and can withstand loads of up to 160 tons per square meter. They are suitable not just for horses but also for farm machinery, use as parking areas, or yard paving.

Want to Know More?
Interested in the hay feeders, hay nets, or slow feeders mentioned above—or in our other feeder options? Click here to learn more!

Blog by Leane van Ark