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The Problem
We came up with the idea of a Round
Bale Feeder for Horses due
to the frustration with wasted hay during the winter feeding
and the unavailability of feeders designed specifically for horse
safety. Conventional hay feeding techniques are inefficient.
Wasted Hay
Round bales of hay weighing up to 1200 lbs are generally carried
by tractors or skid steer loaders with front-end spears and
set in open areas for horses to feed. The problem with this
application is the amount of wasted hay from ground moisture,
rain, snow, dirt, mud and animal waste that mixes with the
hay over a short period of time. The hay also becomes marking
territories for dominante horses and beds for others, wasting
upwards to 50% of its intended use in a matter of a few days,
if not hours. At a cost of $30 to $50 per roll, hay bales
not lasting four days per four horses through the winter
becomes very expensive.
Lack of Safety for Horses
Most round bale feeders that are commercially available today
are designed with the waste issues as noted above but are
for livestock, not designed with the nature of horses in
mind. Horses are herd animals and rely on safety in numbers.
They are easily spooked and move quickly with explosive force
when surprised by noises, smells, strong winds, or other
horses; often they jump without looking, coming down on sharp
edges or other ground-placed feeders, or they get entangled
in other feeders in an attempt to avoid being kicked or bitten.
The Solution...
...was to make a Round Bale Hay Feeder
for Horses that was both
efficient and safe. By using a tubular steel design with no
sharp edges, the feeder minimizes the dangers of cuts or serious
injuries. The height of the feeder facilitates feeding and
eliminates rubbing off the mane of horses (as is the case
of some of the other feeders that require horses to place their
heads in small openings, a potentially dangerous situation).
Because horses naturally paw at their food, the height of our
Round Bale Hay Feeder helps protect their legs from possible
injury. And since horses are naturally graze animals, what falls
out of the feeder during feeding will be eaten first, leaving
little waste.
O'Neill Bale Feeder Unit with Legs
O'Neill Bale Feeder Unit without Legs
O'Neill Bale Feeder Legs Only
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