How to Build Square Bale Hay Feeders

Horses need roughage, meaning grass or hay, to keep their digestive tracts healthy. In the winter or for horses in small pastures with little or no grass, free access to hay should be offered at all times. Hay is best fed to horses on the ground so that they can digest it easily and naturally; horses generally graze all day with their heads down. The downfall is that horses will pick up worms along with the hay from the ground. This can be remedied by building a feeder so your horses are only eating hay.

Things You'll Need

  • Tape measure
  • Saw
  • Sheet of plywood
  • 1 2-by-4 treated wood/lumber
  • Hammer
  • Nails
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Instructions

    • 1

      Cut the plywood to these measurements: Two 40-by-18-inch pieces, two 22-by-18-inch pieces and one 40-by-22-inch piece. You will also need two 40-inch pieces of 2-by-4 inch lumber and two 14-inch pieces of 2-by-4 inch lumber.

    • 2

      Make a rectangle with the 2-by-4 lumber, placing the longer pieces parallel with each other and then placing the two short pieces on each end to make the rectangle.

    • 3

      Place the 40-by-22-inch piece of plywood on top of the rectangle and nail it into place. This is the bottom of the feeder, and the 2-by-4 pieces keep the floor from having to remain in contact with the ground. The treated 2-by-4 will last much longer than untreated wood.

    • 4

      Place the sides on top of the floor at the edge, one at a time. Place each nail at an angle so that they go through the side and attach to the floor. Complete all four sides in this manner.

    • 5

      Place the feeder in a stall or pasture with your horse. Place a square bale of hay inside and the horse can safely eat hay from a lower level.