I set up a new feeder made from hockey barrier netting. I board and the barn owner has started to build a shelter in my horse's paddock. It's been slow going, so only 3 posts are in so far. I went ahead and put up a wall for my feeder.

http://www.akalranch.com/2012/01/new-hay-feeder/

I could see putting feeders like this in a couple of places on a track using two poles and an A framed roof to shield the hay from rain. It would provide a bit of shelter from rain for the horses as well as a wind break.

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hello all,

I have been reading the posts here with great interest and am in the process of changing my horses way of life. We purchased a property with an established boarding stable three years ago. It was a horses nightmare. After trying to rehab the business we finally closed the stable to the public, we are in a low income area and the people here are just not willing to care for their horses in a manner that I can live with. I have one boarder left that I have given notice to, when he leaves I will be remodeling the property to a pp track. For the time being, i have established two open areas for my own six horses with 24hr access to pasture and shelter and free feeding of grass and hay (regular hay for one group and chops for the other which consists of my "weaker" horses). Almost every one of my horses is a rescue, and all but one has an "issue" which requires the use of some sort of supplement (one is IR, one has anxiety/agression issues, two are arthritic, and one has ulcers). Since the change in their feeding and housing, they are much happier and content, but I cannot get them to eat their supplements now. I tie them separately and offer each their own bucket to ensure each gets what they need. Currently I am feeding only the absolute necessary supplements (normally I also feed an electrolyte, vitamin and mineral, and msm) and I mix them in a small amount (about a cup or two) of whole grain sweet feed. This is the only grain in their diet. Before they would wolf them down, now most of them just simply aren't interested. Of the three that are eating the least amount, one has severe arthritis in both front ankles, one is IR, and the other has the anxiety issue... they NEED these supplements. My anxious horse is already showing problems, with three panic attacks on the tie just tonight, one last night. None before when he was getting his meds.

Any suggestions would be helpful. I cannot buy slow feeders locally.

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