6 Best Horse Feeders for Reduced Waste

You toss a scoop of grain into a bucket on the stall floor and turn away, only to hear the familiar sound of it being knocked over a minute later. That expensive, carefully balanced feed is now mixed with bedding, destined for the manure pile. Wasting feed is like throwing money away, and on a small farm, every dollar and every minute counts. Switching to a wall-mounted feed trough is one of the simplest, most effective changes you can make to cut costs and streamline your chores.

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Why Wall-Mounted Troughs Cut Down on Feed Waste

The biggest advantage of a wall-mounted trough is simple: it gets the feed off the ground. When a feed bucket is on the floor, it’s an open invitation for a horse to step in it, knock it over, or paw at it, scattering pellets everywhere. Elevating the feed in a secured trough immediately eliminates these wasteful behaviors.

This elevated position also discourages sorting. Many horses will use their noses to push feed around, searching for the tastiest bits and flinging the rest out of the bucket. A well-designed trough with high sides or a feed-saving lip makes this much more difficult. The horse is forced to eat what’s in front of it, ensuring it gets the full, balanced ration you intended.

Finally, containment simplifies cleanup. Instead of sweeping up spilled grain from a large patch of the stall, the mess is confined to the trough and the small area beneath it. This saves time, reduces the amount of wasted bedding you have to throw out, and helps keep the stall environment healthier by minimizing spilled feed that can attract rodents or grow mold.

High Country Plastics Feeder for Stall Corners

Corner feeders are a brilliant use of space. Stalls never seem big enough, and a corner-mounted trough like the one from High Country Plastics tucks neatly out of the way, freeing up valuable wall and floor space. This placement also makes it harder for a horse to get a shoulder or hip behind it to pry it off the wall.

Made from tough, food-grade polyethylene, these feeders are built to last. They won’t rust like metal or splinter like wood, and the smooth surface is incredibly easy to wipe clean. There are no seams or tight corners inside for old feed to get stuck in and mold.

The deep, V-shape design is particularly good at keeping feed contained. A horse has to reach its head down into the feeder, which naturally limits its ability to toss its head and fling grain. Just be mindful of the depth for smaller ponies or miniature horses; ensure they can comfortably reach the bottom without straining.

Little Giant Wall Feeder for Easy Installation

Sometimes you just need a solid, no-fuss solution that you can install in minutes. The Little Giant Wall Feeder is exactly that. It’s a workhorse product often found in barns everywhere because it’s straightforward, affordable, and does its job reliably.

These feeders typically mount with a simple bracket system or by screwing directly to the wall. The installation is intuitive and doesn’t require special tools or a lot of time, which is a huge plus when you have a long list of other farm chores. Their moderate size is perfect for holding a standard grain meal for an average-sized horse.

Safety is a key feature of the Little Giant design. All the edges are rounded and smooth, minimizing the risk of cuts or scrapes if a horse bumps against it. It’s a prime example of how a simple, well-thought-out design can be the most practical choice for the everyday needs of a hobby farm.

Behlen Country Poly Feeder for Durability

If you have a horse that is tough on its equipment, you need a feeder that can take a beating. Behlen Country is known for making robust, farm-grade gear, and their poly feeders are no exception. These are designed to withstand kicking, leaning, and the general abuse that a bored or impatient horse can dish out.

The secret is the heavy-duty polymer construction. It’s thick, resilient, and formulated to resist cracking in freezing temperatures or becoming brittle from sun exposure. This isn’t a feeder you’ll be replacing every few years. It’s an investment in a piece of equipment that will likely outlast the horse using it.

Many Behlen models feature a sloped bottom. This small design detail makes a big difference. It naturally funnels the last bits of feed toward the horse, so they don’t have to chase them around the bottom of the trough. This reduces frustration and the likelihood of the horse nudging feed out in the process.

Weaver Leather Combo Feeder for Hay and Grain

For those looking to maximize efficiency and wall space, a combination feeder is an excellent option. The Weaver Leather Combo Feeder integrates a hay rack above a grain trough, allowing you to feed both in one compact unit. This setup can save you from having to install two separate pieces of equipment.

This design encourages a more natural eating posture. The horse can pull hay from the rack and then lower its head to eat grain from the trough below. The grain portion is typically made of durable, easy-to-clean poly, while the hay rack is made of sturdy metal bars.

The main tradeoff here is hay control. The open-slat design of the hay rack doesn’t slow down a fast eater the way a small-hole hay net does. If your horse needs its forage intake managed carefully for health reasons, this might not be the best choice. But for an easy keeper that just needs a convenient hay and grain station, it’s hard to beat.

Tuff Stuff Heavy Duty Feeder for Tough Horses

The name says it all. The Tuff Stuff feeder is engineered for the most destructive horses—the chewers, the kickers, and the ones who view any piece of stall equipment as a toy to be broken. If you’ve gone through multiple "durable" feeders already, this is the one to try next.

These feeders are often made from a thick, somewhat flexible rubberized plastic. This material can absorb impacts without cracking, and its texture is less appealing to chronic chewers than hard, brittle plastic. The mounting points are heavily reinforced because that’s often the first point of failure when a horse leans its full weight on a feeder.

While it might cost a bit more upfront, the Tuff Stuff feeder saves money in the long run by eliminating the need for constant replacements. It provides peace of mind, knowing that the feeder will be intact in the morning, not in pieces on the stall floor.

Horsemen’s Pride Manger with Feed Saver Ring

For the truly messy eater, the Horsemen’s Pride Manger is a game-changer. Its defining feature is a simple but brilliant innovation: an internal "feed saver ring." This molded lip around the inside edge of the trough makes it incredibly difficult for a horse to push or shovel feed out with its nose.

This feeder is the specific solution for horses that sort their supplements or just seem to enjoy flinging grain for fun. The ring forces them to eat more carefully and deliberately, dramatically reducing the amount of feed that ends up on the floor. It’s a purpose-built tool for solving a very common and frustrating problem.

Despite the internal ring, the manger is still easy to clean. The interior is smooth and rounded, with no sharp corners to trap old feed. It’s a testament to how a small, thoughtful design change can have a huge impact on reducing waste and making your feeding routine more efficient.

Choosing the Right Trough for Your Horse’s Needs

There is no single "best" wall-mounted trough for every horse. The right choice depends entirely on your specific situation. Before you buy, think through a few key factors to ensure you get the right tool for the job.

Start by honestly assessing your horse’s personality and habits. A gentle, older horse has very different needs than a young, boisterous gelding that chews on everything. Match the feeder’s durability to the horse. Then, look at your stall. Is there a clear, flat wall available, or would a corner unit make more sense?

Consider your routine and your priorities.

• Eating Style: Is your horse a "sorter"? Look for a model with a feed-saver ring. Is it a "destroyer"? Prioritize heavy-duty construction.
• Space: A corner feeder is ideal for small or cluttered stalls. A combo feeder saves wall space by merging two functions into one.
• Cleaning: How much time do you want to spend scrubbing? Smooth, one-piece poly feeders are the easiest to maintain. Complex combo feeders take more effort.

Ultimately, the goal is to find the feeder that best solves your biggest problem, whether it’s wasted feed, a destructive horse, or limited space. A few extra dollars spent on the right trough will pay for itself many times over in saved feed, time, and frustration.

Investing in a quality wall-mounted trough is a small upgrade that delivers significant returns. It cuts down on feed bills, simplifies your daily chores, and contributes to a cleaner, healthier environment for your horse. By choosing wisely, you’re not just buying a piece of plastic; you’re making your entire farm operation run a little more smoothly.