DIY Slow Feeder

[Jillane Baros]

Thought I'd share my new project - I designed this off of the slow feeders at happygrazers.com when I decided I didn't want to spend $300+ on a feeder.  The total cost for everything (but the tire, which I am buying from a friend) was $44, and I still have plenty of extra to make another one or a few hay bags, etc.  Plus, I like mine better anyway!

I ordered my netting and lacing from http://www.arizonasportsequipment.com/ after another person used their supplies for their own slow feeder and said it was working well.  I'm very happy with it, and it seems my horses are too!  Of course, it all depends on the size of your tire/container, but I have put a full bale of hay in it so far and am sure that I could fit a second with ease.  Since the net will hold the hay in, you don't have to be limited to the height of the barrel, but can pile the hay up then pull the net closed over the top.

[Karen Standefer]

The people who made that Happy Grazer obviously don't have my geldings!  They'd have dragged that whole thing away by the cord after it was empty or almost empty.   It would just become a big toy!

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[Kathy Sherman]

I like it, won't get kick holes and chewed like my wooden boxes. What
kind of tire is that? It looks like its turned inside out...is it?

Kathy

> <https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-7o4nZ0btGng/UNxfJee6HMI/AAAAAAAAAX...>

[Jillane Baros]

Yes, it's a turned out tire.  You could really use any tire you like, then just take measurements to decide how much netting and lacing you'd need.

Someone also asked about preventing horses from flipping it over.  In my experience, I've never had a horse flip a tire over, especially not this size.  However, there are a few simple fixes if you're worried about it.  First, there is actually a pretty big lip on each side of the turned out tire.  The ones in these pictures have it trimmed off on the top, but there's about a foot or so all the way around that actually sits on the ground.  A friend of mine just drilled holes in the bottom and bolted the tire down with rebar.  Second, you could attach something on the bottom, like a piece of wood or even a second net.  You could pull the net tight, but if you kept it loose or even just did the second side like the first, you could use the tire both ways.  Because the holes are so small, I really don't get a lot of hay falling out.  However, I watched both my horses eat a good meal out of it today!  It's cool to see them work the hay out and they really get the method down to eat after a while.

[kelley brough]

Can you send a picture of your slow feeder. It looked like there was
a google link to a picture but when I try to open it it gives me an
error message. Thanks, Kelley

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Kelley Brough
PO Box 162685
Austin, TX 78716
512-569-0277

[Kathy Sherman]

Does it take some special equip to turn the tire? Did you do it
yourself?
Kathy

[Jillane Baros]

Did you get the pictures with directions?  If not, I can rewrite them.  I'm going to try to attach another photo.

[Jillane Baros]

I don't know anything about turning out tires and I would assume it does take special equipment.  I just bought one of my friend's many turned out tires.

[kelley brough]

Thanks I couldn't open the previous link.  Kelley