I'm looking for a way to make a round bale feeder for horses. I have cattle and hog panels, wood pallets, assorted scrap fencing, and those big wooden spools. Anybody got any ideas?

-- Anonymous, May 30, 2001

Answers

Shannon,

I'm sorry I don't personally have advice but I remember our last "Premier Fence" catalogue had some advice. Their 6 panel big bale feeder might work for horses??? What we read was geared to sheep, and basically none of the available feeders work too well. I think they have another catalog geared to horses.

I am pleased to say this is one company I would highly recommend. In their catalogs (at least for sheep) they do a complete analysis of various products and procedures and give their suggestions. It often happens that the method they suggest is the least profitable for the company (ie they did an analysis of castrating lambs and their reccomended approach was cutting them).

You can check out their website at www.premier1supplies.com

the number is 1-800-282-6631

We also asked for a refund on an expensive pair of clippers, long past their guarantee date. We stated our reasons and they complied with absolutely no hassles.

-- Anonymous, May 30, 2001

I don't know. That's a hard one. The only thing I can think of is pushing it inside the barn, in a corner, and putting boards across kiddy-korner, so the horses can lean their heads over and eat. So much is wasted outside when it gets wet. We use big round bales of grass hay and alfalfa, and I put in in the barn with the bumper of my truck after I roll it off as close as I can get it. I pull off some and fill the wheelbarrow to feed it.

-- Anonymous, May 31, 2001

Hi Shannon, it's really hard to make a SAFE round bale feeder out of anything but round tubular steel products, horses are hard on things like feeders, they chew, head butt, and itch up against everything quite vigorously!!! Quality Farm and Fleet has regular horse large round bale feeders starting at around 100 dollars, less when on sale, and I think they are worth every penny for their long lasting ability and safety. All steel tubing is rounded, and nothing to get their feet or heads caught on or in. There should be a store near you, I think you are in OH aren't you?

-- Anonymous, May 31, 2001