Keeping your horse fed properly doesn’t have to be difficult, particularly when you have the right equipment. The best horse round bale feeder is a great way to not only feed your horse, but to monitor just how much they are eating. As well as containing any mess and loose hay that could make their barn or stable messy.
A round bale feeder will mean your horse’s hay intake is monitored and they don’t eat too much at once. This also helps to keep their digestive system working properly and helps to maintain their weight at a healthy level.
Keeping a round bale in a feeder ensures less is wasted on the ground, and means there is less for you to clear up, too. These bale feeders can also be portable, which makes them excellent for those who travel with their horses or regularly need to transport their horse from one place to another.
But how do you know which bale feeder is the best? Fortunately for you, we have compiled a buying guide below giving you all the information you need about round bale feeders, including what to look for in one. We’ve even included some of our top picks out there on the market today. So, if you’re ready to find the right round bale feeder for your equine friend, keep reading on.
Best Horse Round Bale Feeder – Comparison Table
| Image | Product Name | Features | Star Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
 | 1) Texas Haynet Round Bale Hay Net | Waste-free Keeps Bale Fresh Better Digestion | 4.4 out of 5 |
 | 2) Texas Haynet Heavy Gauge Round Bale Hay Net | Heavy duty Keeps Bale Fresh Better Digestion | 4.5 out of 5 |
 | 3) Slow Feed Hay Net | Made from marine-grade nylon Easy to open and fill! Clip or tie up anywhere Easy to use | 4.7 out of 5 |
 | 4) Tough1 Deluxe Round Bale Slow Feed Hay Net | 6' x 6' size conforms to fit an entire round bale 2" x 2" openings 1/8" thick netting material | 3.7 out of 5 |
 | 5) Tech Equestrian Heavy Duty Hay Net 6x6 | Net Size = 6x6 Nets are SUPER SOFT on Horse's gums and mouth Saves SOOO Much Hay from being WASTED | 3.7 out of 5 |
 | 6) Tech Equestrian Hay Net 4x5 | Saves TONS of Hay from being WASTED Net Size = 4x5 Knotless 4-5mm Thick Netting | 4 out of 5 |
 | 7) Big Bale Buddy | Keeps hay clean and contained until horses eat it. Super strong and long lasting. Special weave dsigned | 4.2 out of 5 |
Types Of Horse Round Bale Feeders
There are three main types of round bale feeders to choose from.
Hayrack
A hayrack is a wired rack that can be hung onto a fence or part of a barn or stable. It can carry bales of hay and is easy to transport. A hayrack is great for stables with more than one horse.
Hay Net
A hay net is a slow feeding bale feeder. Hay nets usually have smaller holes, so your horse cannot each too much at once. These are also more portable than a hayrack and more lightweight.
The majority of the feeders we recommend below are hay nets, because they are large enough to hold an entire round bale.
Solid Hay Feeder
A solid hay feeder is less portable because, as the name suggests, it is solid, but it allows means less waste is produced and any excess hay is caught.
Things To Consider In A Round Bale Feeder
There are a few things to consider as a horse owner before buying a round bale feeder.
Number of Horses
Consider how many horses you have in your barn, stable, paddock or field. If you have multiple, then you’re going to need a bigger feeder that can hold more hay, otherwise you will constantly have to refill it. You may also want more than one bale feeder, and you’ll have to consider the space you have to position these feeders.
Size of Horses
The size of your horse(s) will affect how much they eat. A larger horse breed is going to eat a lot more than a miniature, so think about how much your horse usually eats before buying a feeder. Again, you might need to buy more than one, particularly if you have more than one large horse.
Size of Hay Bale
Most hay feeders can only fit a certain amount of hay inside, so it is important to consider how big your round hay bale is before you buy. Some out there are large enough to fit an entire bale in. All on our list below are large enough to hold an entire round bale.
Ease of Cleaning
Horses can be messy, and this extends to their hay feeders. From time to time you will need to clean and wash the feeder, to get rid of germs, horse saliva and the old hay smell. Purchasing a hay feeder that is easy to clean will make your life a lot easier!
Ease of Use
As we mentioned above, some horses might need to be transported from time to time, so a portable hay feeder is beneficial. This also means you’ll want your horse hay feeder to be easy to set up and take down again, otherwise you might spend hours doing this each time you need to move your horse.
Now we know all about what you should be looking for a round bale feeder, let’s take a look at the best round bale feeder for horses out there on the market right now. All of these feeders below are available to you on Amazon.
The Best Horse Round Bale Feeder — Reviews
1) Texas Haynet Round Bale Hay Net
The hay net from Texas Haynet fits both round and square bales, perfect if you use both. Designed to fit round bales from 4×4’ to 6×6’ and square bales from 3x3x9’ to 4x4x8’, this feeder is large and great if you have a number of horses.
The hole size is 1.75″ holes which make extracting the hay easier, yet it also works as a slow feeder and helps the bale last longer, up to 2-3 times longer. With a waste-free design, there will also not be any uneaten hay, and any mess will be contained.
The net is made from UV resistant mesh that is both sturdy and durable and will last you a long time. It’s also easy to set up and convenient to carry.
Key Features:
- Waste-free
- Keeps Bale Fresh
- Better Digestion
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
2) Texas Haynet Heavy Gauge Round Bale Hay Net
Another hay net from Texas Haynet, this feeder is very similar to the one above, but is made of extra thick material. Perfect if your horse is usually one to destroy their feeder, this hay net is double the thickness of a standard hay net. It is made of durable nylon and is also UV resistant for long lasting use.
The feeder can hold large round bales from 4×4’ to 6×6’ and large square bales from 3x3x9’ to 4x4x8’. The holes in the feeder are slightly larger, measuring 2.25”, great if your horse is easily frustrated when they cannot reach their food. That being said, this net helps the bale last longer and prevents overeating, as well as helping with issues such as colic, ulcers and feeding anxiety. It also contains the hay for less mess.
Like the other Texas Haynet feeder, this net is easy to assemble and easy to transport when needed.
Key Features:
- Heavy duty
- Keeps Bale Fresh
- Better Digestion
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
3) Slow Feed Hay Net
It’s easy to waste money on hay for farm animals, but this hay net can help you save some cash. You risk not putting out enough food and leaving the animals hungry and lethargic. Putting out too much food can result in the hay rotting and you throwing it away before the animals can eat.
This simple net holds up to a half bale of hay and is easy to use. Thanks to the metal hardware on the top, you have the option of hanging the net from a camper or trailer as well as a barn or outdoor building. Once you open the top and add the hay, use the attached clip to tie it shut before you hang it. The net has plenty of room for animals to eat the hay inside.
Key Features:
- Made from marine-grade nylon
- Easy to open and fill! Clip or tie up anywhere
- Easy to use
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
4) Tough1 Deluxe Round Bale Slow Feed Hay Net
This Tough1 hay net measures 6′ x 6′ in size and fits an entire round hay bale. Made of the strongest poly hay cord for durability, it is 1/8″ thick and will withstand constant use and weathering. The openings are 2” x 2” to allow your horse constant access, but to prevent them from eating too quickly which can then help with further health issues.
The net also helps to keep the bale in one place, while ensuring less mess is produced and there is less hay wasted or needed to be cleaned up. This makes for easier feeding, and, because the bale is easy to use and transport, it can be set up anywhere.
Key Features:
- 6′ x 6′ size conforms to fit an entire round bale
- 2″ x 2″ openings
- 1/8″ thick netting material
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
5) Tech Equestrian Heavy Duty Hay Net 6×6
This hay net from Tech Equestrian is a heavy duty net that measures 6’ x 6’ in size and fits both round and square bales. Made with knotless 5mm thick netting, this feeder is not only durable and less prone to rips and tears, but is super soft on your horse’s gums so you can be sure they won’t be hurt.
The hole size is 1.5 inches, great for slow feeding and preventing health issues within your horse, as well as reducing the amount of hay that is wasted and needs to be cleaned up and thrown away.
What’s more, this hay net comes with a free repair kit to repair any holes or damages the net may endure over constant use.
Key Features:
- Net Size = 6×6
- Nets are SUPER SOFT on Horse’s gums and mouth
- Saves SOOO Much Hay from being WASTED
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
6) Tech Equestrian Hay Net 4×5
Another net from Tech Equestrian, this hay net is slightly smaller than the one above and measures 4’ by 5’ in size. Fitting both round and square hay bales, this net is also made of knotless 5mm thick netting meaning it won’t hurt your horse’s mouth and gums. The material is durable and strong too, which will help prevent rips and tears, but a free repair kit is included anyway in case.
The hole size of this net is slightly larger, measuring 2.5 inches, but still prevents over eating and is designed to be a slow feeder. This can help with health issues such as ulcers and food anxiety, too. Again, the hay bale is contained so less is wasted and less mess is made, too.
Key Features:
- Saves TONS of Hay from being WASTED
- Net Size = 4×5
- Knotless 4-5mm Thick Netting
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
7) Big Bale Buddy
The Big Bale Buddy is a hay feeder that keeps the hay clean and contained until your horses eat it. The extra large size fits bales up to 6′ in diameter and is made of 1500 denier, woven polypropylene with 2 years of UV protection. It is strong and durable, as well as being rot and stain resistant, and does not freeze in the cold weather.
The special weave is designed to allow water that gets inside the feeder to seep out while moisture hitting the outside of the feeder will be repelled, keeping your hay drier. Less mess is produced too, so you don’t have to worry about the hay being wasted.
The feeder is also lightweight and easy to use, perfect for transporting when needed. What’s more, it also has a one year warranty.
Key Features:
- Keeps hay clean and contained until horses eat it.
- Super strong and long lasting.
- Special weave dsigned
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
Summary
A horse round bale feeder is very beneficial for a number of reasons. Not only do these feeders give you a place to store your horse’s hay, but they can help to control the amount your horse eats, preventing weight gain and digestive issues, as well as containing hay so less mess is made every time your horse is hungry. Remember to take into consideration the number of horses you have, as well as the size of your horse and the size of your hay bales. Which feeder do you think you’re going to pick?