Hay & Feeders

Feeders for the barn and the backyard

What hay feeders and bird feeders does Horse-Art.com offer?

Feeders earn their keep two ways on horse property: hay feeders and slow-feed nets cut waste and slow fast eaters, which supports gut health, while backyard bird feeders bring the barnyard to life. The right hay feeder reduces what gets trampled and soiled; the right bird feeder matches the species you want to attract.

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Hay feeders and slow feeding

Hay tossed on the ground gets trampled, soiled, and wasted, and it lets a hungry horse bolt a flake in minutes. A hay feeder or rack keeps forage clean and off the ground, and a slow-feed net or insert makes the horse work for each bite. Slowing intake mimics natural grazing, helps manage weight, and reduces the boredom behaviors that come from an empty stomach between meals.

Match the mesh size to the horse. Too small frustrates a horse and risks a shoe or tooth catching; too large defeats the purpose. Mount feeders at a safe height and check edges and hardware for anything a horse could catch a leg or halter on.

Backyard bird feeders for the barnyard

A barnyard is already a bird magnet, and a few good feeders turn it into a daily show. Match the feeder to the birds you want: tube feeders with small ports for finches and thistle eaters, hopper and platform feeders for cardinals and jays, suet cages for woodpeckers, and nectar feeders for hummingbirds. Squirrel-resistant designs save money on seed if you have raiders.

Place feeders where you can see them from the house or barn but close enough to cover that birds feel safe. Keep them clean; a dirty feeder spreads disease through a local bird population.

Buying guide

What to look for

Slow the fast eaters. Slow-feed nets and inserts mimic grazing, helping weight and gut health.
Match hay-net mesh to the horse. Too small frustrates; too large defeats the purpose. Mind shoes and teeth.
Mount feeders safely. Check height, edges, and hardware for snag and entanglement hazards.
Match bird feeders to species. Tube, hopper, suet, and nectar feeders each draw different birds.

Our picks

Recommended hay & feeders

We are hand-selecting the products below. Each slot is reserved for a piece we would put in our own barn; check back as we fill them in.

Pick coming soon Slow-feed hay net or feeder insert

Top pick for weight and gut health.

Pick coming soon Stall or pasture hay rack

Keeps forage clean and off the ground.

Pick coming soon Squirrel-resistant tube bird feeder

For finches and small seed eaters.

Pick coming soon Suet cage or nectar feeder

For woodpeckers or hummingbirds.

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Shop feeders on Amazon

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Questions

Frequently asked questions

Why use a slow-feed hay net for horses?

A slow-feed net makes a horse take smaller bites, which mimics natural grazing, slows intake for fast eaters, helps manage weight, and reduces boredom behaviors that come from long gaps between meals. It also keeps hay off the ground so less is trampled and wasted.

What hay-net mesh size should I choose?

Match the mesh to the horse. A net that is too small frustrates the horse and risks catching a shoe or tooth, while one that is too large defeats the slow-feeding purpose. Mount it at a safe height and check for snag hazards.

Which bird feeder attracts the most birds around a barn?

There is no single answer; match the feeder to the species. Tube feeders draw finches, hopper and platform feeders draw cardinals and jays, suet cages draw woodpeckers, and nectar feeders draw hummingbirds. Running two or three types attracts the widest mix.

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