6 Best Portable Hay Feeders For Horse Shows That Prevent Costly Waste
Reduce costly hay waste at horse shows. Our review of the 6 best portable feeders reveals top options to save money and keep stalls clean on the go.
You’ve spent a small fortune on the best hay you can find, packed it carefully, and hauled it miles to a horse show. You toss a few flakes in the stall, only to return an hour later to find half of it ground into the shavings. This familiar scene isn’t just frustrating; it’s a direct hit to your wallet and a waste of precious forage.
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, this site earns from qualifying purchases. Thank you!
Why Portable Feeders Cut Your Show Hay Bill
Throwing hay on the ground is like throwing money away. Horses are selective, and once hay is mixed with bedding, urine, or manure, they won’t touch it. At a show, where a single bale of quality hay can be expensive, that waste adds up fast across a weekend.
A good portable feeder contains the hay, keeping it clean and off the floor. This simple change means your horse consumes nearly everything you provide. It also forces them to pull out smaller bites, which reduces the amount they drop and scatter. You end up using significantly less hay to keep them satisfied.
Beyond the cost savings, there’s a huge time-saving element. A cleaner stall means less mucking. Instead of picking out soiled hay mixed deep into the bedding, you’re just scooping manure. That’s more time you can spend preparing for your class, not cleaning a stall.
Hay Chix Free Up Feeder for Slow Grazing
The Hay Chix Free Up Feeder is designed to mimic natural grazing behavior. It’s essentially a tough, netted box that sits on the stall floor. This allows your horse to eat with its head down in a more natural position, which is great for respiratory health and proper body alignment.
This feeder is a game-changer for horses that get anxious in a stall. The slow-feed netting keeps them occupied for hours, nibbling away as if they were in a pasture. This "trickle feeding" is fantastic for their digestive system, helping to buffer stomach acid and reduce the risk of colic or ulcers—a common concern with the stress of showing.
The main tradeoff is its footprint. The feeder takes up floor space, which might be a consideration in smaller temporary stalls. You also need a horse that respects its space; a horse that paws or intentionally soils its feed area might not be the best candidate for a ground-level feeder.
Derby Originals Supreme Bag for Less Mess
If your primary goal is containment, the Derby Originals Supreme Bag is a top contender. These bags typically feature a solid back and bottom with a netted or webbed front. This design is brilliant for keeping hay chaff and dust contained.
The solid back prevents hay from rubbing off on stall walls or inside your trailer, keeping your entire setup cleaner. The top-loading design makes them incredibly easy to fill—no wrestling with a floppy net. Just stuff it full, hang it up, and you’re done.
While they are excellent for reducing mess, they don’t always slow down an aggressive eater as much as a traditional small-hole net. The webbing or larger holes on some models allow for bigger mouthfuls. This makes it a great balance for the average horse, but maybe not the best choice for a truly voracious eater who needs to be slowed down for health reasons.
Tough-1 Collapsible Hay Hoop Saves Space
Packing for a horse show feels like a game of Tetris. The Tough-1 Collapsible Hay Hoop is designed for people who are short on space. This clever device is a metal ring that mounts to the stall or trailer wall and holds a hay net open, making it a breeze to fill.
The magic is in its collapsible design. When not in use, the hoop folds down flat against the wall, completely out of the way. This is a huge advantage over bulky corner feeders or rigid bags. You can install one in your trailer for travel and have another ready to screw into the temporary stall walls at the venue.
Keep in mind this is a two-part system: you need the hoop and a hay net. It’s not an all-in-one solution. It’s also a semi-permanent installation, requiring you to put a few screws into the stall wall, which is usually permitted at showgrounds but is something to be aware of.
Shires Deluxe Haylage Net: A Durable Classic
Sometimes the simplest tool is the best one for the job. The Shires Deluxe Haylage Net is a classic for a reason: it’s durable, effective, and incredibly versatile. Made from thick, tough poly-cord, these nets can withstand years of abuse from even the most determined chewers.
The key feature is the very small holes. This design is the original "slow feeder," forcing the horse to work for every wisp of hay. This dramatically extends feeding time, which is ideal for easy keepers, horses on a diet, or any horse that tends to bolt its food. You can soak hay right in the net for horses with respiratory or metabolic issues.
The downside is that they can be a pain to fill. Stuffing hay through the small opening takes more effort than filling a wide-mouth bag. However, their versatility is unmatched. You can hang them from a trailer tie, a stall grate, or a tree branch with equal ease.
Weaver Leather Slow Feed Bag for Gut Health
When digestive health is your top priority, the Weaver Leather Slow Feed Bag is a fantastic investment. These bags are built from tough-as-nails materials like 600-denier polyester or canvas, with reinforced webbing in a grid pattern over the opening. They are designed for maximum durability and effectiveness.
The webbing grid is the crucial element. It allows the horse to pull out only small amounts of hay at a time, forcing a slow, steady consumption rate. This constant trickle of forage is exactly what a horse’s digestive system is designed for, helping prevent the acid buildup that can lead to ulcers during stressful show weekends.
Because of their robust construction, these bags are often more expensive upfront. However, their longevity and profound impact on gut health make them a wise choice for the serious competitor. A healthy gut means a happier, better-performing horse.
High Country Plastics Corner Feeder for Stalls
For multi-day shows where you have a dedicated stall, a more permanent solution like the High Country Plastics Corner Feeder can be ideal. This isn’t a bag you’ll toss in the trailer for a day trip, but a molded plastic feeder that bolts into the corner of a stall.
Its major advantages are capacity and durability. You can fit several flakes of hay inside, reducing the number of times you need to "top up." Made from heavy-duty, horse-safe plastic, it can withstand kicking, pawing, and leaning without breaking. It keeps all the hay completely contained and off the floor.
The obvious tradeoff is its lack of portability. It’s a "set it and forget it" option for the duration of the show. It’s also not a slow feeder by design, though you can place a slow-feed grate on top. It’s best for horses that don’t bolt their food but are exceptionally messy with hay nets or bags.
Choosing the Right Feeder for Your Horse
There is no single "best" feeder; the right choice depends entirely on your horse, your setup, and your goals. The key is to match the feeder’s strengths to your specific needs. Start by identifying your main problem.
Use these points as a guide:
- For the fast eater or easy keeper: Your priority is slowing consumption. Look to the Shires Net or Weaver Slow Feed Bag with the smallest holes you can find.
- For the neat freak: If your goal is minimizing mess in the stall and trailer, the solid-backed Derby Originals Supreme Bag is your best bet.
- For the space-conscious traveler: When every inch of trailer space counts, the Tough-1 Collapsible Hay Hoop is a clear winner.
- For the natural grazer: To encourage a healthy head-down posture and combat boredom, the Hay Chix Free Up Feeder is an excellent choice.
- For the destructive horse: If your horse views hay bags as a toy to be destroyed, the rugged High Country Corner Feeder is a more durable solution for multi-day shows.
Consider your horse’s personality. A horse that paws might tip a ground feeder, while one that aggressively pulls might need a bag hung with a breakaway tie for safety. The best feeder is one that saves you money on hay while keeping your horse safe, healthy, and content.
Investing in the right portable feeder pays for itself quickly, not just in saved hay, but in a healthier horse and less work for you. It turns a major source of waste and frustration at shows into a simple, efficient part of your routine. That means you can focus less on the chores and more on the competition.
