Slow Feeder

My riding buddy has been using small-mesh hay nets to feed her horses, which is working very well for her.  However, she wanted a box type slow feeder that would be free standing and could be moved to different locations.  We looked at a lot of different feeders and there are some interesting designs out there, but we were both appalled by the price tag attached to them.  The other thing that I did not like about all of the feeders I saw is that they have solid walled construction that does not allow any air flow through the feeder.  Having severe breathing problems myself, I am hyper aware of air quality and ventilation and I don't like the idea of the horses having their noses in the feeders all the time.  I don't care how clean or high quality your hay is, it is by nature a breathing hazard.  We put our heads together and came up with a version of a slow feeder that I think will work well.

The base is actually a wooden sled with runners made of treated 2x6.  Everything else is rough-cut hemlock.

If you just wanted a small work sled to pull behind a horse or lawn tractor you could stop right here.  (Note Tessa in the background, She and Emma got to hang out on the lawn this afternoon, much to their delight and Tanner's consternation.  He spent the whole time repeatedly trying to get my attention to tell me that the horse's weren't where they belonged.)

We decided to leave one inch spaces between the boards of the sidewalls to allow for airflow.  We also left a 1\4" gap between all the boards on the bottom to allow rain to drain out. 

Since all special treats need to be enjoyed in moderation, the girls eventually had to leave the Spring grass.  And since their version of helpfulness also needs moderation, it was incarceration time for them.  (Note relaxed, happy Border Collie) 

Almost done...

I wonder what sort of bribes might be required to get past the inspectors this time.  Emma is going to be a particularly tough sell, there is nothing she hates more than being locked up.  Makes her soooo mad...

The key ingredient....

I left the ends of the side posts high in case we need to come back later and add something to keep the horses from pulling the lid out.  It has some heft to it and not much for a horse to get a hold of so we decided to try it as is for now.  If it works, I'll go back and cut the ends flush with the top of the feeder. 

 

We had a hard time finding the right grate for the top and finally settled on this welded wire fencing with 1x2" squares.  Product testing will show whether or not it will work well.  We used my favorite star-drive screws so the lid will be easy to take apart and replace the grating if necessary.  

Ready for inspection...Hopefully Riding Buddy's inspectors won't be too hard to buy off.

  

The total cost of materials was about $40-50 and the whole thing can be dragged around by brute force or pulled with a sub-compact tractor, maybe even a large lawn tractor.  The total dimensions are 2'x4' and 27 inches high, which is a good size for average horses.  For minis, goats or sheep, the sidewalls could be made shorter.  This design has the added benefit that when not being used to feed hay, it could easily be used as a work sled to haul stuff around your farm, either with real horsepower or the mechanical type.  With only a very minor adaptation, the side walls could be made detachable so the whole thing could revert to being a flat sled if needed. Versatility is a great thing.

This was an easy and fun project and would be a great place to start if anyone is interested in tackling an easy, useful, carpentry project.

NOTE: we did this project on Sat. afternoon and I wrote this post that evening.  Later, I got an email from Riding Buddy letting me know that the squares on the grate are too small and did not pass inspection.  We are going to try some vinyl lattice with larger openings and more flexibility.  We had our doubts about the welded wire, but thought it was worth a try.  Nothing ventured, nothing gained.  I'll post a picture of the new, improved lid once we find the right material.  Any suggestions are welcome.

The Best Way to Spend a Holiday

I am not a big fan of holidays.  Too many bad family gatherings, too much obligation, too much strife, too much.  This year, I spent the holiday the way I really wanted to, just me and my animals on my farm on a beautiful day.  It was great.

I spent time with Emma and Tessa, I took Tanner for a long walk.  I finally, FINALLY, finished this project and so far, I am very happy with how it turned out....

On the other hand, Emma and Tessa opted for a more traditional Easter celebration.  They got to spend several hours stuffing themselves on the lawn; treasure hunting and savoring the never-before-grazed Spring delicacies...

which were delectably seasoned with the sweet taste of forbidden fruit...

Afterward, in time-honored tradition they staggered into the living room...

to catch a bit of the ball game...

before collapsing in a food induced coma...

We're all hoping that you enjoyed your holiday as much as we did, however you chose to spend it.

The Easter Belly

The Easter Bunny can only dream of having the kind of ears that are cooking in here...

Happy Easter!

Coltsfoot

The first wildflower of the Spring has been popping up.  Coltsfoot is always the earliest flower and is an odd plant, as the flower blooms before the rest of the plant ever emerges form the ground.  It grows in the worst possible soil, right on the edges of gravel roads.  It seems to thrive in the worst areas and harshest weather, yet never does well if cultivated.  As soon as the weather gets nice and growing conditions improve, these flowers will disappear in favor of a nondescript little plant; one of the indecipherable bits of green on the edge of the road.  I love plants like this, the ones that do best when times are hard and keep popping up every Spring in spite of our attempts to eradicate them.  I have never understood why they are considered weeds either, they are a small, healthful, edible plant, harmless in all ways.  Good for man, beast and honeybee.   The next time you drive by a bit of gravely, weedy ground, say hello to the Coltsfoot and enjoy the sight of a little yellow flower growing where nothing should. 

Wordless Wednesday

I didn't have time to write anything this afternoon, I was too busy riding with a friend.  However here are some random photo-thoughts from the week...

Owl pellets I found a few days ago, looks like other birds were the special of the week...

A Visit From the Code Enforcers

I've been trying to get the Donkey Palace finished.  I finally decided on a window material after giving up on PlexiGlass.  I spoke with the nice folks at Farmtek, they sent me some free samples and I finally choose this 20 mil clear vinyl.  (If you don't know who Farmtek is you should look them up, thay are one of those companies whose catalog makes you think "Oh, so that's where you get those things".)  So far I am very pleased with the results.  It will be interesting to see how the stuff holds up, especially in the wind I have, but it already got a mild test yesterday with no problems.  The other good thing is that it is completly shatter proof and safe.

The window at the end of the shed posed a slightly different problem since it is bigger and I could not put it on hinges because it would interfere with the side window. 

I decided to frame it out more and build the window as a separate piece that would fit inside the frame. 

Just need to add the vinyl...

Of course, half way thru the project, the code enforcers showed up to inspect the job.

 

"What do you think Em, is she doing a good enough job?"

"I guess it looks OK....

You aren't planning on leaving the edges of that plastic flapping like that are you?  You know I wouldn't chew on those, but the horses...well you can't trust them."

 "I'll be sure to secure them Inspector." These darned code enforcers, they always want something.

"Hmmm, well, I don't know if I can sign off on this yet.  Just look at how that is hanging out, begging to be nibbled on."

"Well, how about a 15 minute butt scratch?  Would that change your mind?

"I suppose it doesn't look too bad after all....."

Whew, just made it through that one.  Good thing the Border Collie wasn't doing the inspecting.

Cats, Dogs & Donkeys

Despite the reputation that donkeys have for not tolerating dogs and cats, Emma gets along well with both Tanner and Moss.  Granted, she seems to enjoy antagonizing Tanner over the fence when he is  laying just beyond it waiting for me.  She goes over and bumps him with her nose, he tries to back her off and control her with his high octane, Border Collie glare.  She ignores his glare and stares back, nose to nose.  He moves away down the fence, she follows him.  He lays down with his back to her, she bumps him with her nose.  He could move farther from the fence, so could she.  Neither of them challenge or cross the fence line even though it is just a single strand of electric wire that Tanner can move under at will.  I wouldn't call them friends, but they both seem to enjoy this game.  Tanner and Emma are the two animals on this farm that are the most alike. They are both highly intelligent, independent thinkers and both are jealous of the time I spend with the other.  Neither is thrilled with the others presence, but they tolerate each other and have developed their own odd relationship.  Aside from their fence-line antics, they leave each other alone and don't get into trouble.

The cat however, has just gotten herself into big trouble.  The horses and Emma are fine with the cat even though she routinely annoys everyone.  She is constantly under foot and all attempts to discourage this only last a few days.  Moss was kicked by a draft horse at her previous home and one would think that she would have learned to stay away from hooves by now.  Not so.  My horses generally ignore her.  Emma had been rather fond of her.  She will often nuzzle the cat and let her rub against her legs, she seems fascinated by her and enjoyed her company.  That is until yesterday when the idiotic creature decided to try using Emma's leg as a scratching post.  Emma had a rather abrupt change of heart concerning cats.  She is now thinking that chasing and stomping them might be a better way of dealing with them.  When it comes to this strange cat, I can't say as I blame her.  She seems rather warily willing to give Moss another chance, which is good .  I don't really want Emma to get the idea that it is OK to chase and stomp small animals.  I just hope that for once, Moss can learn from the experience.  If she can't live in the barn, she can't live here and God only knows who would want her.