Here at Catawba Equestrian Center, now "Prosperity Stables of Virginia", we have decided to implement the use of hayfeeders for our horse boarding clients. There are many issues with feeding hay from the ground. BENEFITS of feeding hay in a covered hay feeder include:
LESS HAY CONTAMINATION. Keeping equine hay covered and dry drastically decreases the risk of mold growth and contamination.
LOWER PARASITE COUNTS Soiling with horse manure and urine is significantly reduced when using a hayfeeder.
LESS HAY WASTE (estimated 50%), keeping costs down for the barn and our horse boarding clients.
Can incorporate slow-feeding nets which MIMICS MORE NATURAL GRAZING patterns vs large mouthfuls of dry hay. Slower feeding provides improved equine health benefits.
MORE EFFICIENT USE OF LABOR
PASTURE IMPROVEMENT Hay waste does not spread out all over the pasture, ruining large sections of grass. Limits unintended seeding of weeds to the pasture.
REDUCES HAY’S SUN EXPOSURE due to hay spread, which can lessen nutritional value.
UNLIMITED ACCESS Ensures clean, fresh hay is available 24/7 instead of feeding hay twice daily.
LESS MESS, reduces muck, improving hoof health and lowering injury risk to horses, barn staff and boarding clients.
REDUCES BOREDOM BEHAVIORS such as cribbing. We have already seen this benefit!
ALLOWS CONTINUATION OF 24/7 FREE-ROAMING We are firm believers in free-roaming horses when possible. Our four-legged Boarders certainly agree!
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