DIY Hay Feeders for Horses: Considerations, Maximizing Hay Supply & How-to Guide

Hay feeders are structures designed to hold hay for horses, helping to keep the hay clean, reduce waste, and ensure your horse has consistent access to forage. The best style of feeder to use will depend on factors such as the number of horses you have, your feeding environment and the type of hay you feed.

Feeders are often designed to mimic a horse’s natural grazing behavior and eating position. They may include features that encourage slower eating and help prolong meal time, which can be beneficial for the horse’s digestion and overall well-being.

Building your own hay feeder is a cost-effective way to give your horse access to forage. Whether you need a simple design or a more advanced build, DIY hay feeders let you customize the setup to suit both your horses’ needs and your budget.

This guide covers the benefits of DIY hay feeders, offers step-by-step instructions, and shares tips for building feeders that promote healthy foraging habits while saving time and resources.

Hay Feeders for Horses

Hay feeders are specialized devices designed to keep forage elevated and contained, offering several distinct benefits for both horses and their handlers.

By providing hay in a feeder, owners can maintain a forage-based diet even when pasture isn’t available or suitable. This setup allows horses to consume hay gradually over the course of a day, minimizing the labor needed for frequent refills.

From a management perspective, hay feeders reduce the mess and waste associated with hay scattered on the ground, reducing feed costs. Containing the hay cuts down on trampling, spoilage, and contamination from dirt, manure, or soiled bedding, which in turn lowers the risk of sand colic and other digestive problems.

Additionally, many feeder designs encourage horses to eat with their heads down, a posture that supports healthy respiratory function by facilitating airway drainage. This can be particularly important for horses prone to dust-related breathing issues.

In group feeding situations, having a controlled environment also helps regulate each horse’s access to hay and reduces stress or competition over feed.

Types of Hay Feeders

Below are some of the most common types of hay feeders and what to consider when choosing one for your horse.

Hay Nets & Slow Feed Nets

Hay nets are a popular feeder option for reducing waste and controlling how quickly horses consume forage. Many include smaller openings that slow down consumption to extend meal time and restrict hay intake.

Other hay net designs have larger openings to keep the hay collected without slowing consumption. While this may require more frequent refilling than nets with small holes, the cost savings and potential health benefits often justify the extra effort.

Some owners hang hay nets in stalls or paddocks at chest height or higher to prevent entanglement, although others prefer lower mounting to promote a natural grazing position.

Box Feeders or Trough-Style Feeders

Box or trough-style hay feeders are another popular choice and they come in a variety of sizes and materials, including steel, durable plastic, or even repurposed wooden crates. Horses typically eat from the top of a box feeder, which can be fitted with a grid or grate to slow intake. This helps extend mealtime and reduce respiratory issues by keeping hay off the stall floor, away from dirt, manure, and dust.

These feeders are well-suited for both indoor and outdoor settings, but it’s important to ensure they’re sturdy enough to withstand a horse’s weight and natural chewing behavior. They can also be built large enough to accommodate several horses at once, making them a practical option for group turnout situations.

Corner & Wall-Mounted Feeders

Designed to fit snugly into a stall corner or mount onto a barn wall, these feeders save space and keep hay contained. Since the feeder is fixed in place, there’s less risk of it getting moved around or knocked over.

However, if they are mounted too high, horses may have to reach up uncomfortably, which is less natural for their posture. Placing them at a lower height, or choosing a design that allows the horse to eat with its head down, can help maintain a healthier eating position.

Ground Feeders

Ground feeders are designed to rest directly on the ground or slightly above it. They often feature partial coverings or grids that prevent horses from grabbing large quantities of hay at once. Because they allow horses to eat at ground level, these feeders can more closely mimic natural grazing behavior, promoting proper respiratory drainage.

A key consideration is stability: lightweight material may be easily tipped or pushed around. Additionally, ground feeders can collect water or become muddy if they lack adequate drainage or if placed in an area with poor ground conditions.

Round Bale Feeders

Ideal for pastures with multiple horses or for those seeking a hands-off or low-maintenance solution, round bale feeders protect large hay bales from being trampled and soiled.

Many round bale feeder designs feature a metal ring or a covered “basket” to contain the hay and prevent horses from scattering it across the field. This approach can reduce waste, especially in wet or muddy climates.

However, since bales are large and last several days, owners need to ensure the feeder remains clean, that no mold forms in damp conditions, and that all horses can access the hay without overcrowding.

Feeding Considerations

When choosing or building your own hay feeder, it’s helpful to remember that horses evolved as grazing herbivores on grassy plains. Providing steady, easily accessible forage aligns with their natural eating habits and can keep them happier and healthier overall. ^[1]

Horses also benefit from eating on a regular schedule. ^[2] Disruptions in routine can increase stress, so feeding them at the same time every day supports overall well-being.

Equine Feeding Behavior

Horses evolved to graze for large portions of the day, so many feeders are designed to mimic natural grazing behavior.

Horses are trickle feeders with relatively small stomachs, and they continue to produce stomach acid even when they are not eating. Ensuring constant or near-constant access to forage keeps their stomachs from becoming empty and unprotected, thereby lowering the risk of ulcers and other gastrointestinal issues. ^[2][3]

In their natural habitat, horses spend 70 to 80 percent of their day grazing, typically in 30 to 180-minute bursts over a span of 10 to 16 hours. Wild horses rarely go more than three or four hours without eating. ^[4][5]

This innate drive to forage also serves as important mental stimulation. Without sufficient foraging time, horses may experience boredom or stress, potentially manifesting as stereotypies or other negative behaviors.

By offering hay in ways that replicate these natural grazing rhythms—such as using slow-feed hay nets or DIY feeders with restricted openings—owners can help ensure their horses remain physically and mentally healthy.

These feeders not only satisfy the horse’s physiological need for continuous forage intake but also offer an engaging feeding routine that keeps them content and reduces the risk of destructive habits or aggression. ^[6]

Slow Feeding Strategies

Providing horses with free-choice access to forage can benefit their digestive health and address their instinctive need to graze.

However, allowing unlimited hay can lead to overconsumption in certain horses, raising the risk of obesity and related health issues. Using a slow feeder offers a practical solution by extending foraging time while helping prevent excessive intake, thereby supporting a healthier body condition.

Some horses also bolt their feed, consuming hay too quickly and risking improper chewing or choke. To counteract this behavior, owners can integrate slow-feeding mechanisms into a DIY hay feeder. ^[2]

These features encourage the horse to take smaller bites and chew more thoroughly, supporting better digestion and lowering the likelihood of choke. ^[2]

• A net
• Bars
• Grates
• A few large stones set on top of the hay

Horse Posture & Biomechanics

In the wild, horses typically graze with their heads low to the ground, feeding on grasses and shrubs at their feet. ^[4] Mimicking the horse’s natural feeding position is important to prevent musculoskeletal problems, dental issues, and respiratory concerns. ^[4]

When buying a hay feeder or building a DIY feeder, the access point for the hay should be kept as low to the ground as possible. This emulates the horse’s natural feeding posture and prevents neck and back strain. It also helps keep any debris like hayseeds and dust from falling into the horse’s ears, eyes, and face. ^[2]

DIY Hay Feeders

Building your own hay feeders can be a cost-effective and environmentally friendly way to make use of surplus materials around the farm.

Items like pallets, barrels, heavy-duty garbage cans, fencing off-cuts, old rubber mats, tarpaulins, and disused grates can all be repurposed into functional feeders. Using available resources, horse owners can create feeding solutions that fit their space and budget without compromising on quality or safety.

Corner feeders

When barn or paddock space is tight, a corner feeder helps maximize the available floorspace. Corner feeders can be made out of a variety of materials including:

• Old tarpaulin fabric
• Rubber (i.e. an old rubber mat)
• Metal fencing
• Wood
• Net

Follow these steps to build your own corner hay feeder:

1. Identify Location and Measure
   Choose a suitable corner in the stall or paddock and measure carefully so your feeder fits. Plan for a wide top where the horse can easily reach the hay, and a narrower bottom to contain it.
2. Attach the Material
   Cut or fold your chosen material (tarp, net, fencing) so the top edge is wider than the bottom. Fasten the top corners to the walls with sturdy hardware, forming a funnel shape that tapers inward.
3. Secure the Bottom
   Anchor the lower edge to the wall or floor so the hay stays contained yet remains accessible. Make sure it’s snug enough to prevent spillage without limiting the horse’s reach.
4. Check for Safety and Test
   Inspect for sharp edges or loose fixtures. Place a small amount of hay inside, let your horse investigate, and adjust if needed to maintain a safe, comfortable feeding spot.

Wood Pallets

Pallets are cheap and often widely available on farms, making them a popular material for do-it-yourself (DIY) horse feeders.

Before using wood pallets to construct horse feeders, ensure the pallets are in good condition with no broken boards or protruding nails. Only use heat-treated wood products and avoid chemically treated wood.

When building a feeder with pallets, it is important that no part of the pallet is at a height where horses could kick or paw at it. The spaces between the boards are often large enough to trap a hoof, which could result in serious injury.

Pallets should be at least 3 ft (1 m) off the ground, or should be completely enclosed by plywood or other materials to prevent horses from stepping on or pawing at the pallet.

Consider adding a roof over outdoor feeders to protect the feed and horses from inclement weather. ^[7]

If space is limited, consider mounting the hay feeder to a wall or fence post. This may have the additional benefit of being refillable without the need for humans to enter the feeding area.

To prevent bolting, you can add a hay net, bars, or a grate to slow forage intake.

Pallet Manger

One effective option is to create a V-shaped manger by cutting a pallet in half and securing the two pieces together. Spare boards can reinforce the sides, and posts at each end can anchor the manger to the ground.

This configuration is easy to load from the top. Some operations add a shelf made from an additional pallet secured under the V to prevent spillage.

Pallet Hay Box

With more than one pallet, it is possible to build a hay box capable of holding a larger volume of forage than a manger-style feeder. However, in some cases, the depth may make it difficult for horses or handlers to reach hay at the bottom.

Another approach involves dismantling pallets and using their boards to construct a solid box- or manger-style feeder, providing a more enclosed design and potentially improving safety and accessibility.

Barrels

There are several ways to reuse plastic or metal barrels, as well as heavy-duty rubber or plastic garbage cans, to create an inexpensive and environmentally friendly hay feeder. By cutting a window or opening in the side, barrels can hold one or two flakes of hay and can be mounted either upright or on its side on fences or walls.

This design saves space and can be placed at a height that reflects the horse’s natural eating posture. For slower consumption, a hay net, bars, or a grate can be added.

Some barrel feeders are created by cutting out both the top and bottom, then attaching a hay net bag inside. Hung on a wall at a suitable height, the horse can eat from the net while the barrel keeps hay contained.

Since barrels are compact, they can be set up in multiple locations to reduce competition within a herd—ideally, provide one feeder station more than the number of horses. These feeders also work well in stalls without occupying excessive room.

However, the drawback of a barrel feeder is limited capacity, requiring more frequent refills than other designs. Hard plastics can also break or shatter, leaving sharp edges that can injure the horse.

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Avoiding Hay Waste

Hay waste can be a significant expense for horse owners, leading to spoiled forage and extra labor spent cleaning up dirty hay.

Fortunately, using a well-designed feeder can help minimize the amount of hay waste. In addition to choosing the right feeder design, the way hay is stored and the location where it is fed play key roles in reducing overall waste.

Hay Storage

Proper hay storage is a key factor in minimizing waste on horse farms. Improper storage can result in hay losses as high as 50%. ^[8]

Keeping hay protected from moisture, wind, rain and other environmental factors is important. Damp hay increases the risk of mold formation, which can negatively affect your horse’s health. ^[9] Bales stored inside are less likely to deteriorate or grow mold than those stored outside. ^[10]

Pest control is another important consideration. Raccoons, rats, mice, and other wildlife will eat hay if they gain access, and will contaminate it with feces and urine. Keep storage areas sealed and limit access to deter pests and reduce forage losses. ^[9]

When storing hay bales, the chosen wrapping material impacts spoilage risks. Bales wrapped in net or B-Wrap tend to result in less waste than those wrapped in sisal or plastic twine. ^[10] Additionally, storing bales off the ground helps reduce spoilage. ^[9] If outdoor storage is unavoidable, stack bales end-to-end to reduce waste. ^[9]

Hay can be kept for extended periods if it is stored dry. However, it is a good practice to use older hay first. ^[9]

Feeding Strategies

Feeding hay indoors or within a shelter reduces waste by protecting it from wind, rain, and trampling. However, if hay is fed directly on a stall floor with bedding, it can still become soiled by urine or manure.

Using a feeder or a designated feeding area within the shelter or barn minimizes this issue by keeping hay off the floor, allowing uneaten portions to be swept up and reused instead of spoiled.

Where possible, arrange feeders so that hay can be placed without caretakers needing to enter the enclosure. This can be helpful for horses that become aggressive when food is present. ^[2]

When feeding hay in a pasture or paddock, effective management can help minimize waste. Here are some practical strategies to feeding horses outdoors: ^[2][11]

• Choose an appropriate feeding area with well-drained soils, ideally on a gentle to moderate slope, and avoid locations near surface water.
• Use a manger, ring, pallet, or other feeder to keep the hay off the ground and keep the hay from becoming dirty, contaminated or unpalatable. This helps reduce waste and pest and parasite exposure.
• Manage feeding frequency. While it may be tempting to provide multiple days’ worth of hay at once, feeding only what is needed daily reduces waste. Horses consume hay more efficiently when it’s rationed, minimizing trampling and refusals. On average, providing a 4-day hay supply can increase waste by about 25%.
• Prioritize appropriate-quality hay to ensure less waste and fewer refusals. Horses are more likely to waste low-quality hay.
• Tailor feeding strategies to the horse. No single approach works for every operation. Evaluate the pros and cons of different feeding methods, align them with your goals, and manage accordingly.

By combining these strategies with a well-designed hay feeder, you can significantly reduce hay waste, wherever you feed your horse.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some frequently asked questions about DIY hay feeders for horses:

Summary

Choosing a suitable hay feeder can help ensure horses have continuous access to forage while reducing hay waste and the risk of health issues. Building a DIY hay feeder can cut costs for your horse farm and reuse materials in an environmentally friendly way.

• To promote overall health and welfare, choose a hay feeder that mimics the horse's natural grazing behavior and feeding posture
• DIY hay feeders can be made from wood pallets, barrels, garbage cans, old fencing, rubber mats, tarpaulins, and disused grates
• Make sure DIY hay feeders are safe for horses by choosing appropriate designs and configurations
• Use a feeder that keeps hay elevated and protected to reduce moisture, spoilage, mold, and contamination from pests.
• Store hay indoors in a dry, well-ventilated area to prevent wildlife access, and consider net or B-Wrap for additional protection of large bales.