7 Best Slow Feeder Hay Racks For Small Barns That Reduce Hay Waste
Discover the top 7 slow feeder hay racks for small barns. These compact designs reduce waste, save money, and promote healthier eating for your horses.
You toss a flake of hay into the stall, and ten minutes later, half of it is trampled into the bedding. That perfectly good, and expensive, hay is now just part of the muck pile. For a hobby farmer, every dollar and every minute counts, and watching hay go to waste is like throwing money away. A good slow feeder isn’t just a convenience; it’s a tool for managing your budget, your horse’s health, and your time.
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Choosing a Slow Feeder for Your Small Barn
The "best" slow feeder is the one that fits your horse, your stall, and your routine. A feeder that works wonders for a calm senior pony might be destroyed in an afternoon by a bored, young gelding. Before you buy, think about a few key factors.
Material is your first consideration. Metal is durable but can be unforgiving if a horse gets feisty. Hard plastics are tough and a bit safer, while flexible materials like netting are excellent for slowing consumption but might not stand up to a determined chewer. The right choice balances durability with your horse’s temperament.
Next, look at the opening size. The whole point is to slow them down, but you don’t want to cause frustration. A horse new to slow feeding might need larger openings to start, while a seasoned pro can handle smaller, more challenging grates. Consider these points:
- Mounting Style: Does it need to be in a corner, flat on a wall, or on the ground? Measure your space first.
- Ease of Cleaning: A feeder that’s a pain to clean will eventually become a health hazard. Look for smooth surfaces and simple designs.
- Your Horse’s Habits: Is your horse shod? Ground feeders might pose a risk. Does your horse crib or chew? A plastic feeder might be a target. The right feeder works with your horse’s nature, not against it.
Tough-1 Wall Hay Feeder: A Durable Classic
This is the kind of feeder many of us recognize. It’s a simple, heavy-duty metal rack that bolts directly to the stall wall. Its primary function is containment—keeping hay off the floor and in one place. While not the most aggressive "slow" feeder, the bars require the horse to pull hay out in smaller bites rather than grabbing huge mouthfuls.
The biggest advantage is its sheer toughness. Made of steel or powder-coated metal, it can withstand kicking, rubbing, and general abuse that would shatter plastic feeders. It’s a set-it-and-forget-it solution for horses that aren’t overly destructive but are messy eaters. Its open-top design also makes it incredibly fast and easy to fill during morning chores.
However, there are tradeoffs. The bars can cause manes to rub out if a horse eats aggressively from the side. And because the openings are relatively large, it won’t do much to slow down a truly voracious eater. Think of it as a waste-reducer first and a slow feeder second.
High Country Plastics Ground Feeder: Natural Grazing
Putting the hay on the ground mimics a natural grazing position. This is better for a horse’s digestion, respiration, and even their topline. The High Country Plastics Ground Feeder accomplishes this while keeping the hay contained and clean. It’s essentially a sturdy plastic box with a slow-feed grate on top.
This design is fantastic for older horses or those with respiratory issues, as it prevents them from inhaling dust and debris that can fall from an overhead rack. The plastic construction also means no sharp edges, making it a safer option for a horse that might get a leg caught.
The main challenge is that it isn’t fixed in place. A playful horse can, and will, push it around the stall, sometimes flipping it entirely. It also takes up floor space, which is a premium in a small barn. You have to be diligent about cleaning it, as manure and urine can easily soil the feeder if it’s not kept in a clean corner.
Behlen Country Corner Feeder: Maximize Stall Space
In a small barn, every square foot counts. A corner feeder is one of the smartest ways to use stall space efficiently. The Behlen Country Corner Feeder is typically a one-piece molded plastic unit that fits snugly into a 90-degree corner, keeping it out of the main traffic area of the stall.
This design is incredibly safe. With no exposed edges and a shape that deflects impact, it’s a great choice for a busy stall or for a horse that tends to get into trouble. Many models also include a bottom section for grain or supplements, consolidating feeding into one location and simplifying your chore routine.
The downside is that "corner feeder" is a broad category. Many are simple v-shaped bins designed more for containment than for slowing intake. To make it a true slow feeder, you often need to add a separate grate or hay net insert. Without modification, it’s a space-saver, not necessarily a pace-setter.
Hay Chix Free Up Feeder: Top-Loading Simplicity
For pure, effective slow feeding, it’s hard to beat a net. The Hay Chix Free Up Feeder takes the concept of a hay net and puts it into a rigid, wall-mounted frame. This gives you the benefit of small-hole netting without the safety risks of a free-hanging bag a horse could get tangled in.
The best part is how easy it is to use. You just drop a few flakes in from the top—no wrestling with drawstrings or clips while your horse tries to "help." The netting slows consumption significantly, extending eating time and reducing boredom. This can be a game-changer for a horse on a restricted diet or one prone to stall vices.
The main consideration is durability. While the frame is tough, the netting itself is the weak point. A determined chewer can eventually make the holes bigger or destroy the net entirely. Replacement nets are available, but it’s an ongoing cost to consider if you have a particularly destructive horse.
Porta-Grazer Feeder: For the Eager Eater
If you have a horse that inhales its hay in record time, the Porta-Grazer is a serious solution. This is a barrel-shaped ground feeder with a unique floating pan grate. The horse must nudge the pan around to access small bites of hay through the holes, forcing them to eat slowly and deliberately.
This system is exceptionally good at what it does. It can turn 20 minutes of frantic eating into several hours of calm grazing, which is fantastic for preventing colic and managing weight. Because it’s fully enclosed, it also results in virtually zero hay waste. The hay stays clean and dry down to the very last wisp.
The learning curve and the price are the two biggest hurdles. Some horses take a day or two to figure out how to work the pan, which can be frustrating for them (and you). It’s also one of the more expensive options on the market, making it a significant investment, especially if you need to outfit multiple stalls.
Little Giant 2-in-1 Feeder: Hay and Grain Combo
This feeder is a common sight in many barns for a reason: it’s practical. The Little Giant 2-in-1 combines a V-shaped hay rack on top with a feed trough below. This design catches fallen hay and keeps grain contained in one easy-to-access spot.
Its primary strength is convenience. You can do all your feeding in one location, which streamlines chores. The solid back prevents hay from falling out behind the feeder, and the lower trough catches most of what the horse drops, saving a bit of hay and a lot of sweeping. It’s a solid, all-around design for general use.
However, it’s important to be realistic about its "slow feed" capabilities. The metal bars on the hay rack are often spaced too far apart to significantly slow down a determined eater. It’s more of a hay holder than a true slow feeder. For a horse that needs serious intake restriction, you’d likely need to add a secondary net or grate.
Savvy Feeder Teffy-Tot: Ideal for Mini Horses
Miniature horses have miniature needs, and that includes their feeders. A standard horse feeder can be dangerous for a mini, with openings large enough for them to get their entire head or even a hoof stuck. The Teffy-Tot is designed specifically for these smaller equines.
This ground feeder is appropriately sized, with smaller holes in the grate that are perfect for fine-stemmed hays like Teff. It allows them to eat in a natural grazing position without the risk of getting trapped. It’s a crucial piece of safety equipment for any small-stature horse, pony, or donkey.
The only real drawback is its specificity. It is absolutely not suitable for a full-sized horse, as it’s too small and they could easily destroy it or get a muzzle stuck. But if you have minis, investing in equipment designed for their safety and scale is never the wrong decision. It’s a perfect example of choosing the right tool for the job.
Ultimately, the best slow feeder is an investment in your horse’s well-being and your farm’s efficiency. By matching the feeder’s design to your horse’s needs and your barn’s layout, you can drastically cut down on wasted hay and promote a healthier, more natural eating pattern. It’s a small change that pays for itself quickly, both in saved feed and peace of mind.
