How to Build a Horse Feeder

Horses are wonderful creatures that bring great satisfaction to their owners. Their care, however, can prove quite a challenge, as for all their size and strength, they are quite delicate animals. Feeding horses, and doing it properly, is one of the biggest challenges of owning horses. This article will give you some tips on how to build a horse feeder from simple materials and with tools almost anyone can use.

Things You'll Need

  • 50-gallon Drum Power tools Screws Nails Lumber Wire
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Begin by purchasing a 50-gallon drum. They can be made of metal or plastic, although the plastic ones are much easier to convert into a feeder. You can acquire these from most industrial sites, such as warehouses. Clean thoroughly before using.

    • 2

      Saw the drum in half. If your drum is metal, this will require professional assistance, but if the drum is plastic, a hand saw or hacksaw will work. Smooth the edges to make certain there are no sharp pieces that can cut you or your horse. This is now the perfect feeding tub for your horse.

    • 3

      Drill holes into the sides of your new feeding tub. You can use these to wire the tub to the fence for ground feeding, or to secure it to a wooden frame that you will design in the next step.

    • 4

      Build a wooden frame for the feeder if you wish to have it raised off the ground. You can secure the frame to the feed tub with screws or nails - screws being the preferred method. Power tools will be necessary for this step.

    • 5

      Wire the feeder to a secure post. Even with a wooden frame that has been screwed securely into the tub, the horse will knock the feeder over as it scrapes up every last drop of feed. By wiring or screwing the feeder to a solid object, you will extend the life of your feeder and save feed from being spilled onto the ground.