6 Best Outdoor Horse Feeders For Rainy Climates That Prevent Spoilage
In rainy climates, covered feeders are essential. We compare 6 top outdoor models that prevent spoilage, reduce hay waste, and protect your investment.
There’s nothing more frustrating than watching a perfectly good bale of hay turn into a soggy, moldy mess after a three-day downpour. You’re not just throwing away hay; you’re throwing away money and risking your horse’s health. In a wet climate, feeding horses outdoors without the right equipment is a constant battle against waste and spoilage.
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Why Covered Feeders Are Crucial in Wet Climates
The math is simple: rain plus hay equals mold. Moldy hay isn’t just unpalatable; it’s a direct threat to your horse’s respiratory system and can lead to serious issues like colic. Leaving hay on the ground, even in a standard ring feeder, is an open invitation for moisture to wick up from below and rain to soak in from above.
A good covered feeder is an investment that pays for itself, often within a single wet season. When you calculate the cost of wasted hay—sometimes as much as 30-50% of a bale—the upfront price of a proper feeder starts to look very reasonable. You’re not just buying a piece of equipment; you’re buying a system that preserves your feed investment.
Beyond the financial savings, consider the labor. Constantly forking away spoiled hay and putting out fresh flakes is a time-consuming chore that wet weather makes even more miserable. A covered feeder reduces that daily workload, freeing you up to focus on other farm tasks. It simplifies your routine and ensures your horses have access to clean, dry forage around the clock.
The Hayhut: Ultimate Round Bale Weather Protection
If you feed round bales and want to virtually eliminate weather-related waste, the Hayhut is the gold standard. It’s a heavy-duty polyethylene dome that completely encloses a large bale, leaving openings for horses to eat. This design provides nearly 100% protection from rain, sleet, and even sun, which can bleach nutrients from hay over time.
The primary benefit is the massive reduction in waste. Because the hay stays completely dry and contained, you lose very little to spoilage or trampling. The material is also incredibly safe—it’s designed to flex if a horse pushes against it, and there are no sharp metal edges to worry about. One Hayhut can comfortably serve four horses at once.
The trade-off is the initial cost and the logistics. Hayhuts are a significant investment, and you’ll need a tractor with a spear or forks to lift the hut, place the bale, and then cover it again. If you don’t have a tractor and only manage a couple of horses, this solution is likely overkill. But for a small herd on pasture, it’s one of the most effective set-it-and-forget-it options available.
Tarter Equine Hay Basket: Smart, Covered Design
Tarter’s covered hay basket strikes a great balance between protection, usability, and cost. This feeder combines a metal basket that keeps the round bale elevated off the ground with a simple, effective roof. It’s an open-sided design, which makes it less imposing for skittish horses.
The elevated basket is a key feature. By lifting the bale, it prevents moisture from wicking up from the ground, which is a major source of spoilage in uncovered feeders. The roof provides excellent protection from direct rain and sun, keeping the bulk of the bale dry. This combination significantly cuts down on waste compared to a simple hay ring.
While it won’t stop driving, sideways rain as effectively as a fully enclosed feeder like the Hayhut, the open design promotes better airflow. This can be an advantage in humid climates, as it helps prevent condensation from building up inside the feeder. It’s a solid, practical choice for hobby farmers who need reliable protection without the bulk and expense of a fully enclosed system.
High Country Plastics Feeder: Slow Feed and Dry
For those feeding square bales, the High Country Plastics Slow Feeder Saver is a brilliant two-in-one solution. This is a durable polyethylene box with a metal grate that rests on top of the hay. As the horses eat, the grate slowly lowers, forcing them to pull small bites through the openings.
The design inherently protects the hay. The solid box walls and lid-like grate keep rain and mud out, ensuring the flakes inside stay clean and dry. But the real magic is the slow-feed function. It mimics natural grazing, which is better for a horse’s digestion, reduces the risk of colic, and helps prevent boredom and destructive behaviors in the paddock.
This type of feeder is ideal for one or two horses, or for managing an easy keeper’s intake. You can fit several flakes inside, providing a whole day’s worth of forage that is both protected from the elements and dispensed slowly. It’s not a solution for feeding a large herd with a round bale, but for controlled feeding of smaller quantities, it’s one of the smartest designs out there.
Century Livestock Bale Feeder for Large Herds
When you need something tough enough for a larger group of horses, a heavy-duty steel feeder with an integrated roof is a serious contender. Century Livestock makes robust, all-welded feeders that are built to withstand the pressures of a small herd. These are no-nonsense pieces of equipment designed for longevity.
The main advantages are durability and capacity. The steel frame can take a beating, and the sloped roof is highly effective at shedding rain and snow, keeping the round bale below it dry. The feeder’s legs keep the entire structure elevated, so the bottom of the bale never sits in mud or standing water.
This is an investment piece. These feeders are heavy, expensive, and not easily moved without equipment. Like other open-sided designs, they offer less protection from wind-driven rain than an enclosed hut. However, for a farm with four or more horses, the combination of waste reduction and sheer toughness makes it a worthwhile long-term purchase.
Behlen Country Poly Feeder: Durable and Covered
Behlen Country offers another great option in the polyethylene category, often known as the Poly Round Bale Feeder. While the base model is a simple ring, it’s designed to be paired with a roof kit, turning it into an effective weather-proof feeder. The three-piece design makes it easy to assemble and move around a pasture.
The big advantage of poly feeders is safety and durability. Unlike metal, polyethylene won’t rust or have sharp edges from corrosion. If a horse kicks it, the material has some give, reducing the risk of injury. It’s also lighter than steel, so one person can often roll the pieces into place without a tractor.
The key is to ensure you get the roof attachment. Without it, it’s just a standard hay ring. With the roof, it provides good protection from rain and sun while keeping the hay contained. It’s a versatile and safer alternative to traditional steel rings for the hobby farmer concerned about potential injuries.
Building a DIY A-Frame Feeder for Small Flakes
Sometimes the best solution is the one you build yourself, tailored perfectly to your space and needs. For feeding a few flakes of a square bale, a simple wooden A-frame feeder is an excellent, budget-friendly project. The design consists of a V-shaped trough to hold the hay, covered by a simple pitched roof.
The beauty of a DIY feeder is total control. You can build it to the exact height for your horses, use materials you have on hand, and design it to fit a specific spot in your paddock. The A-frame roof effectively sheds rain, and the trough keeps the hay off the muddy ground. This is perfect for feeding one or two horses without putting out more hay than they can eat before the next storm rolls in.
When building, safety is the top priority. Use pressure-treated lumber for ground contact points and ensure all surfaces are sanded smooth. Avoid any gaps or openings between 4 and 10 inches where a hoof could get trapped. A well-built DIY feeder can be just as effective as a commercial one, offering a practical solution for the farmer with more time than money.
Key Features for a Rain-Proof Horse Feeder
Choosing the right feeder isn’t just about picking a brand; it’s about understanding the core features that actually keep hay dry. A flimsy roof or a base that sits in the mud won’t solve your problem. The best designs incorporate several key elements working together.
Look for these non-negotiable features in any feeder you consider, whether you’re buying or building:
- Solid Roof Coverage: The roof must be larger than the hay it’s protecting. An overhang is crucial for blocking rain that doesn’t fall straight down.
- Elevated Base: Hay must be kept off the ground. A feeder with solid legs or a raised platform is essential to prevent moisture from wicking up.
- Drainage Holes: No feeder is perfectly waterproof. Inevitably, some moisture will get in from a horse’s mouth or driving rain. Drilled holes in the base allow that water to escape instead of pooling and creating mold.
- Durable, Safe Materials: Look for rounded edges, sturdy construction, and materials that won’t shatter or rust into sharp points. Your horse will be interacting with this every day.
- Good Airflow: A completely sealed box can trap humidity and condensation. Some ventilation is necessary to allow moisture to evaporate, especially in muggy climates.
Ultimately, the perfect feeder balances your budget, herd size, and the type of bales you use. A round bale feeder is useless if you only buy squares, and a small flake feeder will be a constant chore if you’re feeding six horses. By focusing on these key design principles, you can make an informed choice that will serve your farm well for years.
Investing in a quality covered feeder is one of the smartest moves you can make on a hobby farm in a rainy climate. It’s a proactive step that protects your horses’ health, saves you money on feed, and cuts down on your daily workload. By choosing a system that keeps your hay dry and safe, you’re building a more resilient and efficient farm, one dry bale at a time.
