Raising horses is no longer such a straightforward affair. While a lot has always gone into this activity, the entire exercise has become more streamlined to ensure that these animals get nothing short of the best attention and care.
This means that you need to improve everything from your feeding method to the hay feeder you use to optimize feeding, growth, and performance.
When exploring hay feeder options, the type of horse hay feeders and grain feeding solutions you employ is essential. Because they’re catering to larger animals, horse feeders must meet certain requirements.
While there is a wide selection of product sizes and options to choose from, only a few offer the comfortable feeding experience your horse needs to truly grow.
To help inform your decision on the best hay feeder for horses, here is a list of the best feeders in 2022!
Best Hay Feeder for Horses: Review
1. Weaver Leather Hay Bag
The portable feeder makes feeding even easier with the ability to alter the bag’s height. While you won’t be able to achieve the natural feeding position observed with ground feeding, these types of horse feeders ensure the complete comfort of larger animals at all times.
These horse hay feeders are remarkably easy to fill and are ranked as Amazon’s Choice. Additionally, the convenient snap closures ensure minimal wastage during feeding.
The horse eats the hay through a round feed hole that can double as a slow feeder. It can also be used as a hanging hay feeder for rabbits!
The best part is that the hay bag’s unique cattle feeder design keeps the food in perfect condition for your horse, even during inclement weather. It effectively reduces dampness and prolongs the breathability and freshness of the feed.
It offers more than the typical feeder, as it is highly durable and available in a wide selection of colors.
Pros
- Can serve as a reliable, quick-fix hay feeder for horses constantly on the road
- Portable and easy-to-clean feeder
- Creates more horse feeding options
- Various hay bag positioning and design support comfortable feeding even in cold weather
Cons
- Mesh could be more durable
- Not a poly hay and grain feeder
2. Derby Originals Large D-Ring Canvas Horse Hay Bag
This hay bag has been around for more than a decade, and it still manages to give old and new competition a run for their money.
Derby Original’s classic and long-lasting design makes the entire feeding experience smooth for you and your horse. Simply choose a stall corner and quickly set it up.
The thick and durable canvas material includes reinforced seams, allowing it to be safely used in harsher conditions. While it won’t ever rival a hay bag with a heavy-duty galvanized steel shade frame, you’re not likely to find a superior portable feeder.
It can hold up to three flakes of hay, and your horse can use it without causing digestive issues. This is because the slow feeder regulates how much hay your horse can reach.
Not only does it improve digestion for different kinds of animals, but it is also offered at a reasonable price! In addition to being very affordable, you also receive a full 6-month warranty.
Pros
- Material is highly durable
- Improves digestion by lengthening the day feeding period
- Easy to use
- Affordable
- Comes with a 6-month warranty
Cons
- May not be ideal for aggressive chewers
3. Yuar Butee Hay Bag
At the top of this list are price and affordability. You won’t have to break the bank to afford these horse feeders in any of its five different colors.
Another reason this hay feeder for horses made our list is because of its durability. Thanks to its food-grade poly PVC coated canvas nylon, you’ll receive a slow feeder with a thick net that’ll last you longer and serve you better.
This heavy-duty feeder also contributes to better hay management. Because it has a sturdy hay tote side mesh, the hay won’t dampen as quickly.
You can effectively maintain your horse’s nutrition by attaching this patented feeder at the proper feeding height at any stall corner in your building.
This hay bag is also convenient and secure. The snap closure feature means that you won’t have to exert yourself while loading the hay. Simply unclip the closure, put in the hay, fasten it, and you’re done!
Removal and installation are just as easy due to the presence of adjustable buckles and straps. It can also be used as cattle hay feeders or even hanging hay feeders for rabbits.
Pros
- Well-built hay feeder with convenient features
- Extremely portable
- Can be used to feed different kinds of animals
- Heavy-duty
- Portable features ensure you have an easy time feeding your horse anywhere
Cons
- Snap closure isn’t very strong
- May require monitoring during feeding, as the animal’s head may get stuck in the feed hole
4. Majestic Ally Hay Feeder Tote Bag
If your answer to any of these questions is yes, you might want to consider the Majestic Ally Hay Feeder Tote Bag. Available in a wide selection of horse stall-friendly color options, this fantastic horse feeder brings a lot to the table that’s worth considering.
Owning a large animal like a horse means you have to buy rugged and durable accessories. In addition to ensuring you don’t get a portable feeder that’ll tear into pieces at the first sign of trouble, you want a product that promotes proper bale feeding and prevents indigestion and wastage.
This feeder for horses is specially designed to give you that and more. More than a simple, quick-fix hay feeder, these products help simulate the sensation of grazing for your horse.
It doesn’t come with the comfort of automatic feeding schedules, but it does offer you the next best thing: complete comfort feeding different kinds of animals.
Pros
- Nylon net is durable
- Works well to promote digestion due to its thick net slow feeder features
- Can be installed and removed with ease
- Minimizes hay wastage and spoilage
- Comes with a 6-month warranty
Cons
- Some aspects of hay net positioning could be improved
5. Kensington Hay Bag with Wire Rim
However, whatever it lacks in terms of affordability, it more than makes up for in cattle feeder design, service delivery, and durability.
The sturdy wire rim that this product features makes the hay loading process simple and fast. Additionally, the bale feeder’s square hole ensures that your horse eats like it’s grazing in an open field.
The horse hay feeder is made of a thick and durable material that has undergone extensive quality assurance protocols. Whether you plan to use it in calm or inclement weather, your horse feeding options are never limited.
Simply hang it in the stall corner, and it’s ready to use. The removing process is equally as simple if you need to take down or relocate the hay feeder.
Pros
- Very portable feeder
- Has a unique design
- Long-lasting and durable
- Decreases hay wastage and promotes digestion
Cons
- More expensive than other options
How to Choose the Best Hay Feeder for Horses
The age of ground feeding has come and gone. Keeping this particular horse feeding method will stunt the animal’s growth and compromise its health. This is because ground feeding encourages the consumption of sand and other dirt particles.
Many horse owners are switching over to reliable and well-known hay feeders. Choosing the best hay feeder for your horse isn’t an easy thing to do, especially with the numerous brands to choose from.
The best way to pick a hay feeder is to consider several factors along with your own needs and wants. When picking a feeder, consider the following:
Brand Value
We all like to buy products with an established brand name. After all, it makes little sense to try out something new when more established options are available.
However, keep in mind that the brand value factor may result from an effective marketing campaign rather than proof of actual quality.
You need to look beneath the surface when making this kind of decision. The five hay feeders we’ve recommended have undergone rigorous testing and offer you some of the best materials and quality you’ll find on the market.
Product Features and Specifications
The specifications and features that a product offers gives you a direct insight into what that product has to provide you. Consequently, you have to give this factor careful consideration.
Sometimes, it helps to have a list of features you’d like your hay feeder to have. With this, you’ll know what you need to prioritize in a product and what you can afford to do without.
Return Policy
Different manufacturers will typically offer various return policies for their products. While this isn’t a direct indication of the product’s quality, it helps you know what to expect if you encounter issues with the item.
Make sure you know (and are comfortable with) any manufacturer’s return and exchange policy before you purchase the product.
FAQ
How many flakes should my portable feeder hold?
At least 2 to 3 flakes
You need to keep your horse nutrition levels up, whether they are in stalls or on the road. And, for convenience sake, you’re better off buying a feeder you won’t have to refill multiple times a day.
Can I use these feeders for grain or pellet feeds?
Although these bags can carry certain grain feed, their quantity is insufficient to encourage continued use.
Are these feeders good for horses?
Yes, they prevent waste and promote digestion.
Can I use my horse feeder for cattle and vice versa?
For the most part, these feeders can feed all kinds of animals with minimal drawbacks.
Can I use portable feeders for aggressive eaters?
Since these products are made with portability in mind, even the most durable ones won’t withstand persistent attacks from a determined animal after a while.
Final Word
After reading this article, you’re ready to pick the best hay feeder for horses!
Be sure to pinpoint all you want in a feeder before going shopping. That’s the only way to get the best product without settling for less.
While you can easily rely on any of the featured products on our list, you can also use them as a baseline for picking the perfect feeder for your horse.
Check out this article to find other great ways to keep your horse healthy and in top condition!