Hay Feeders and the Potential to Reduce Hay Waste

Pennsylvania particularly for large bales may be due to the fact that these bales were fed in a variety of locations on the farm.  The finding that more caretakers used feeders when feeding from large bales was interesting since feeding small square bales in hay feeders has also been found to significantly reduce hay waste.

Location	Type of Bale/Flake Offered	Percent of caretakers using a hay feeder
Pasture	Large Bale	79%
Pasture	Small Bale/Flakes	39%
Dry Lot	Large Bale	37%
Dry Lot	Smale Bale/Flakes	30%

Table 1. Table displaying the percent of horses who were fed hay in a feeder depending on if they were fed large or small bales and the location.

Health Considerations
Not only does the use of hay feeders save money but they can also decrease the risk of horses consuming spoiled hay which might cause gastrointestinal issues. This is particularly true when feeding from large bales outside. When horses eat from bales of hay placed directly on the ground without a hay feeder the amount of hay waste is high because horses will pull large amounts from the bales and then drop some of it on the ground. The hay then becomes trampled and contaminated with urine and manure. If consumed horses may experience digestive upset and other healthrelated issues. The combination of horse feces and hay waste may also create an ideal environment for filth fly development increasing the number of flies on that horse farm which is a common nuisance for horse owners.
Additionally not protecting the hay in a feeder with a roof can leave hay exposed to rain and moisture which may encourage mold growth. Consuming moldy hay can lead to a number of respiratory and digestive issues in horses. Feeders should be cleaned regularly to avoid mold growth on any remaining fine pieces of hay. Properly using hay feeders decreases the risk of horses consuming spoiled hay and protects horse health.
Recently there has been speculation that the height of the hay placement may affect horse health. Horses consuming hay with a high head and neck posture has been proposed to suffer detrimental health issues. This could happen for example when tying hay nets above the horses head in the stall or trailer. While studies have shown that feeding from hay nets at a position above the ground causes different

back posture in horses no negative effects other than an unnatural feeding posture have been found to date. Tying hay nets at or below head level or using feeders that are placed on the ground will better simulate natural posture in horses but could pose a risk of legs or shoes getting caught in the net. Generally feeders for large bales are designed to sit lower to the ground which allows horses to eat in a more natural head and neck position.
Hay feeders can also raise concerns with regards to dental health. Choose hayfeeders that do not involve horses teeth coming into contact with metal grating as this can damage or wear teeth. For example when choosing a restricted accessslow feeder use one that has soft mesh. Regular upkeep of feeders will ensure that horses do not accidentally hurt themselves on any sharp edges.
Conclusion
The use of hay feeders when providing any amount of hay to horses helps to prevent hay wastage reduce the risk of horses consuming contaminated hay and can save caretakers money. Therefore it may be something that horse owners should consider implementing to make the most of their horse hay supply.