In the need to extend my dwindling hay supply (yeah, go buy another horse, Lori, doh!), I have discovered the joys of feeding ROUND BALES! Less than 5 miles from my house, I can go buy them for $25 apiece all day long. The nice young man loads them into my truck, and as they are first cutting, Kaity and I are able to push/shove/grunt/roll them OFF the truck into the turnout. This is a source of great enjoyment to my horses, especially to Miss Shorty, my baby filly. She then proceeds to dismantle said round bales in approx. a day and a half and use them for her fluffy bed-toilet. *sigh*
After witnessing this little stunt, I quickly realized WHY people use round bale FEEDERS! But I cannot afford to go buy a feeder. So I racked my brain (didn't take long), and came up with what may be a cheap and easy solution. PLASTIC SNOW FENCE! Yes indeed, I took some plastic snow fence and wrapped it around the bottom of the round bale, then fastened it with plastic zip ties. So far, so good. It seems to be working, as now she cannot paw it apart, nor can she eat from the bottom, making the top portion just fall into a pile to be pooped/peeded/laid in. YAY!
Approximate cost=NOTHING! My aunt had some of the fencing, and I always have zip ties as they are in my world the duct tape of the future.
I anticipate there being pretty much NO activity on here this weekend, with a sunny and 46 degree forecast. WOOT! Happy currying everyone... :)
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