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Round bale feeder vs. net, ponies and horses

12K views 14 replies 8 participants last post by  deserthorsewoman 
#1 ·
We have two horses: 15HH and 14.3HH. Very easy keepers.

We also have two classic American Shetlands.

We may be bringing in a 16HH horse.

We've always fed squares but this year we're running out so a local farmer is bringing over rounds. My dad (the primary caretaker) decided he likes the convenience of rounds, so next winter we might switch to rounds.

With such varied heights in the herd, would you recommend a net or a feeder? I want to make it as easy as possible for my dad, as most of the time he handles everything himself, and he is 65 years old. (I live over an hour away). I'm also concerned with the horses (and ponies) getting fat.

We do not have a tractor capable of handling rounds, but the farmer is going to deliver the hay whenever we need it. (We get hay plus delivery in exchange for letting him use our fields).
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#3 ·
I'd say a net would be your best bet, since it can be accessed from any point on the bale. The point of a net is not to limit access but to limit intake, whereas a feeder limits access.

Nets are also alot easier to move, and doesn't take as much room when not in use.
 
#5 ·
We feed round bales without any feeder or net. I honestly can't say I notice a significant amount of waste vs using the many different feeders people we know use. From homemade to top dollar bought. There's waste. But even so we've fed round bales for a while now and if we end up with a 100lbs wasted its still cheaper and better for the horses. IMO.
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#6 ·
My dad found a couple of used cattle round bale feeders and wants to buy one. I've read posts about mane rubbing... Are there any other potential issues?
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#8 ·
Do not buy cattle feeders for horses. The bars are too low for a horse to comfortably get their head in there, and it increases heads getting stuck/hit.





Whereas a horse round bale feeder, allows the horse to naturally put their head at a height that is comfortable to them, yet they can still get to the bottom when the bale is running out.





Do not just put the round bale on the ground without a feeder. You are increasing the waste of the bale. Yes, there is going to be more waste feeding round bales instead of squares. But if you put that bale on the ground where the horses can rub on it, tear it apart, and then poop/pee all over it, you've just wasted most of the bale.

Mini's usually don't have a problem getting to the bale with a horse feeder, unless there's not much of the bale left and it's just scraps in the center (which you should have changed the bale and moved the feeder by then.
 
#9 ·
Even using a feeder, put the bale on a couple pallets. Keeping it off the ground keeps the bottom from getting knarly in the wet. Our mares will eat a bale all the way to the pallets with only a handful they can't reach right in the middle.
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#10 ·
The people selling the feeders are friends of my dad. They said once of them is a "bull feeder" which probably means it doesn't have the top bar. Something like this: Tarter 3 Pc. Horse or Horned Cattle Hay Feeder

Would that work? I'll be going to look at it this weekend.
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#13 ·
My parents are resistant to the net idea. I'm also a bit concerned because my SIL's horse is a complete moron when it comes to eating with hay nets. We've tried loose hay/square bales in nets and he ends up completely frustrated about the net. He chews through/eats the net and actually gets physically ill. We had the vet out and he thought it could possibly be early signs of stress induced colic. We walked him for awhile, took the hay out of the net and he recovered quickly.

I've seen plenty of horses struggle figuring out hay nets but have never seen anything like this horse before.
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#15 ·
hmm....I, or better my horses, had no problem figuring it out. I pulled some hay through the holes, have it sticking out, and all three took to it right away.
For the normal beginner struggle, I left some on the ground for the first week.
If your parents are resistant, go with a balefeeder for horses, as safe as possible. The cattle feeders are NOT horse safe.
 
#14 ·
Round bales

My boarding barn has just dropped round bales. They are the main source for the pastured mini's & cows, but just as extra munching for the stall horses (including mine) when they are out in the morning. She has grain & hay. But how nutritious are the round bales ? Also, her hay has been so straw-like over the past months, it looks like bedding. I mentioned to the ranch owner that she was dropping weight & I politely said I wanted to give her additional T&A...He was fine with that but shortly after, I noticed he upped flakes for all his personal horses (he rodeos them) & my Grace. (Doubt it was because of my question- or was it ?) What do you think...(p.s. the mini's are thin now, pastured with little grass.) I have to tread very lightly with owners.
 
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