Slow feeders

[where I want to]

I have a problem with one of my two horses being bored, bored, bored. They only have about an acre and half paddock so little real grazing. I have a routine where they get fed three times a day and then I let them out for a couple of hours to eat around the house when I can.

I've reading about slow feeders. If I could do this, it might allow the one to be more laid back. I've been checking the internet about them.
Anyone do this and do you have any designs to make one or recommendations to buy?
The one thing that might be different for me it that I live in a very wet place. It rains a lot and is foggy a lot. I do have three run in sheds.

[beccachow]

Take your slowest eater and feed him under the run in shed, alone. After the other two are done, let them out so they don't hassle Mr Likes To Enjoy His Dinner. Nothing begs for choke more than a horse bolting his food to keep it!! OR, throw pails at the other two and take Sir-Gums-A-Lot out of the fence and feed him. I lock Buddy up so he can enjoy his dinner; he gets actual scoops whereas the others get a taste so they think they are getting something too. I have the other two to the point of not daring come into the overhang until I say it is ok, lest they get The Wrath Of Mommy. Buddy is a choker to start with, and the added stres of others approaching his bucket made it so much worse.

The two who eat faster could be slowed down by placing large, smooth rocks in the bottom of their buckets, too.

[malinda]

The small-mesh hay nets work really well. I have several clients who use and like them.

[where I want to]

Reread my post. It was not clear that I meant those hay boxes that only allow the horse to nibble hay through small openings so the hay will last longer.
Or I saw some made of plastic barrels with nets at the bottom.

[malinda]

I know what you are talking about. I think the hay nets would be an easier and cheaper solution - which is why I mentioned it.

[Oakshire_Farm]

on a other horse forum I frequent someone just posted a link to slow feeder boxes, these look really neat and easy to build at home!

http://www.grazingbox.com/howitworks.htm

[Rogo]

I have always free choice fed. I've never had a critter who gobbles food down.
They nibble periodically, go for a stroll on the acreage, return for more nibbles later. No special boxes/nets, just a feeder that holds hay.

They've also never been confined except within the perimeter fence. It's a system that's worked for me for many years.

[where I want to]

I thought a lot about what Rogo said because it would be good but I don't think that it would work here.
Mostly the thing to battle is rain and sloppy ground.
The rain almost constant rain in the winter makes the horse find shelter and pretty much stay there. Then the ground is so soft that it is turned into soup with any frequent crossing- even people's. I have rubber stall mats everywhere the goats and horses frequent.
I have french drains all over and many ditches to hurry the rain through. The property has a gentle slope thoughout. But everything is still soaked much of the time. You can't dig a hole without a bale bucket as there is water four inches down.
In the summer when there is virtually no rain, there is no problem but now .......... arrrggghhh..........

[Rogo]

Well, it rarely rains here, but loafing sheds are up if they want to get out of the wind or sun. Feed is also kept in a loafing shed -- 3 sides and a roof.

My next suggestion is to move to a drier place!!

[where I want to]

I saw in another post you have 40 acres- I have 2 and half. It worked fine when I was riding all the time but not now.
Nope - I need to be here. I can't even stand to leave the county now.

[Rogo]

I HAD 40 acres but that was back when. I've lived on one + acre the last couple of years. The amount of critters is also down. One mule, a flock of poultry, a bunch of Asian Heritage Hogs. (I'm a porkaholic!)

Looking to move. Wouldn't mind a bit more land, but don't need much.