Hay huts in New England

[thebiggrey]

Hi all!

I have two horses who live in my backyard on a dry lot in the ever unpredictable weather of MA. Think snowy winters, drenching rains, and also somehow droughts? Our feeding routine is pretty set, horses get hay 3 times a day, and grain twice, as well as beet pulp for extra fiber. Vet says they are in perfect weight.
However, we are now expecting a little one to join the family in March! I want everything to be super easy and although husband is great and very involved, I want him free to help as much as possible (can you tell it’s our first??!). Also, as my horse ages, he’s getting grumpy when we are even slightly late to putting out hay.
I want to get a hay hut, or something similar, so there is hay out 24/7, to help with old grumpy, and streamline feeding even more. Here are my questions:

1. Will a hay hut work in our climate? What will stop hay on the bottom from getting wet? What about rain/snow when the horses need to eat outside?

2. Horses have never been on free choice hay (at least while we’ve owned them). What should we expect while acclimating them to it?

3. Any reputable brands you like? Ideally want to stay within the budget of $1000 with delivery if possible. Is hay hut the best bet? I don’t want to deal with rotting wood if possible.
   thank you in advance!

[sailor-sunset]

Hi there, I don’t have any personal experience with hay huts so I won’t speak on that. I will however recommend using a slow feed net in combination with the hay hut to help keep the hay contained underneath the hut, so less gets rained/pooped/peed on, and it will make the hay last longer. This will also help with the transition to free fed hay and better mimic grazing. Brands like Haychix and Hay Burners Equine are popular. You can fit a good 8 to 12 small square bales in it if you tetris it! https://hayburnersequine.com/product/slow-feed-net-kit-for-your-hay-house-quick-change-system/

[kaya842]

The hay hut should work fine in your climate. You can set the bale on top of a pallet inside of the feeder to keep the bottom portion dry. I highly recommend the net that goes inside the hut. When I looked the only other brand that was available in my area was a hay bonnet which was shorter and wider IIRC and a price difference of ~$100. The hay hut dealer was closer.

[beowulf]

I’m in MA and have had a HayHut for years. IIRC I bought it in 2016 and it’s one of the best purchases I ever made. I’d buy a second if I needed it.

1. Put a wooden pallet down. I’ve only had the hay get wet once and it was during that torrential downpour last year where the rain was flying sideways. Otherwise no issues.
2. They’ll enjoy their new normal. I’d suggest a Haynet over it like HayChix. It helps eliminate waste (seriously - almost at 0 waste where before the net I felt like they wasted 50% of the hay) and will slow down consumption some.
3. I’d buy from HayHut direct.

I have no problem putting out the bale myself but some people complain it’s difficult. If you flip the hut on its long side (versus the short side) it’s very easy to flip back over the round bale. I’m using 600lb bales on a wooden pallet.

[Isabeau_Z_Solace]

The only thing I would add to above is that you could prepare the ground by putting down screening/stone dust. Ideally creating a slightly raised area. And it also wouldn’t hurt if you stake the hut to the ground. heavy winds can blow them over.