Feeding trough

A feeding trough for horses is essential for ensuring that the animals can eat in a hygienic manner. A feeding trough is sturdy and suitable for feeding horses on a daily basis. Horse troughs should always be positioned by the stable door, facing the stable aisle. Feeding troughs are available in various sizes, capacities and designs.

In most cases, a feeding trough is made of plastic or hot-dip galvanised metal and is designed to be hung up or bolted down. Feeding troughs are available for horses and ponies of all sizes, and specially designed troughs are available for foals. Here at Alfako, we sell high-quality feed troughs in various shapes and sizes, as well as with different capacities.

What is a horse feeding trough?

A horse feed trough is a container or bowl designed specifically for feeding. A sturdy feed trough serves as a feeding station in the stable and makes it easy to provide various types of feed. A horse feed trough is hung up in a trailer or in a horse box.

Unlike a feed bucket, a feed trough is mounted at a height on the wall or the stall door to prevent the animals from stepping into the feeding area whilst they are eating. A horse trough is fitted with sturdy sides to prevent the feed from spilling out. Horse troughs are food-safe, ensuring that no harmful substances are present on the material. As well as the right feed, choosing the right trough is also important.

What sizes do horse feed troughs come in?

A horse feed trough typically has a capacity of between 6 litres and 150 litres. The ideal size of the feed trough depends on the horse’s height and age, as well as the number of horses that will be feeding from it at the same time. A large horse needs a trough with a greater capacity than a pony.

Depending on how much feed the horses need each day, you can choose either a large feeding trough with a capacity of up to 50 litres or a smaller trough with a capacity of up to 15 litres. If you need to feed a large number of horses in the pasture, a feeding trough with a 150-litre capacity is ideal.

If the trough is intended for a single horse in a stable, a width of 40 to 50 centimetres is sufficient. If a communal trough is to be installed for horses in a paddock, it is necessary to choose a width of at least 2 to 3 metres. It is important that the feeding trough is large enough to allow several animals to eat at the same time.

What is a feeding trough for horses made of?

A horse feeding trough is made of plastic or metal. In most cases, the metal used for the trough is galvanised steel, to make it rust-resistant and durable. A plastic horse trough is lightweight, which makes it easier to fill and transport. A metal feeding trough is sturdy and stable.

Metal feeding troughs for horses are particularly suitable for outdoor use, as they are resistant to rodents and other pests. Plastic troughs are easy to clean, making them particularly practical for everyday use. Feed troughs should not be made of wood, as they can splinter and pose a risk of injury to the animals. In wooden feed troughs, the feed goes mouldy more quickly, as the trough absorbs moisture such as saliva and therefore provides a breeding ground for mould.

What types of feed troughs are there for horses?

There are seven types of horse feed troughs: the rectangular trough, the corner trough, the semi-circular trough, the long trough, the wall-mounted trough, the bolt-on trough and the trough with extras.

We have set out the different types of horse feed troughs in detail in the list below.

• Rectangular trough: A rectangular trough is a classic, square-shaped feeding trough that is easy to fill and clean. A rectangular trough for horses usually has a large feed capacity. Depending on their capacity, rectangular troughs are suitable for installation in horse stalls or for feeding larger herds in pastures.
• Corner trough: A corner feed trough is a feeding trough that is fitted in the corners of stables. A corner feed trough saves space in the stable and ensures the horse is fed in a stable manner. Corner feed troughs for horses are best suited to small stables that require a space-saving solution.
• Semi-circular trough: A semi-circular trough has a rounded shape with a flat front, designed for horses. A semi-circular trough is easy to keep clean as it has fewer corners than a corner or rectangular trough. Semi-circular troughs for horses are best suited to open stables or paddocks.
• Long trough: A long trough is an elongated trough several metres wide. A long trough allows you to feed several horses at the same time. Long troughs for horses are best suited for group grazing in fields or open-stable housing.
• Hanging feed trough: A hanging feed trough offers flexibility, as it can be hung up anywhere. A hanging feed trough is practical for use on the go and is therefore also ideal for taking to competitions. Hanging feed troughs are designed for temporary use.
• Screw-on feeding trough: A bolted feeding trough is stable as it is securely bolted to the wall or the stall door. Screw-mounted feed troughs are suitable for permanent locations in horse stalls or fixed feeding areas. Screw-mounted horse troughs cannot be knocked over or moved.
• A feeding trough with extras: A feeding trough with extra features might, for example, have a feed-retaining rim, a drain or bars for foals. A feed-retaining rim is an inward-curving edge that prevents feed from spilling out. A drain allows water to be drained when cleaning the feed trough. Bars on the feed trough for foals are important to prevent the adult mare from helping herself to the feed.

What are the advantages of a feeding trough?

The main advantages of a feeding trough are improved hygiene, reduced feed wastage and organised feeding. A feeding trough gives the horse easy access to its feed, helps to reduce the risk of injury and is easy to clean.

The full list of benefits of a feeding trough for horse husbandry and feeding is set out in detail below.

• Improved hygiene: A horse trough improves hygiene by keeping the feed clean and free from contaminants such as straw or manure, which would otherwise easily find their way into the feed. A feeding trough reduces the risk of disease in horses.
• Reduced food waste: A feeding trough reduces feed wastage, as it prevents feed from being spilled by providing better control over the horses’ feed intake. The feeding trough helps to reduce feed costs and ensures that the feed is used more efficiently.
• Organised feeding: The use of feed troughs allows for organised feeding, as the feed is presented neatly and distributed in portions. Organised feeding is particularly important in large herds to ensure even feed intake and fair distribution.
• Convenient access: A feeding trough provides horses with easy and comfortable access to their feed, without them having to pick it up from the ground. A raised feeding trough can improve eating habits and make it easier for horses to eat, particularly for those with physical limitations or mobility issues.
• Reduction of injury risks: Well-designed horse troughs reduce the risk of injury to horses by having no sharp edges or protruding parts. Rounded troughs contribute to the safety and well-being of horses.
• Easy to clean: Feed troughs are easy to clean, which facilitates efficient maintenance and hygiene in the stable. It is particularly important to clean the feed trough easily to prevent the spread of disease among the horses and to ensure a healthy environment for the animals.

How should you clean a horse feeding trough?

A horse feed trough should be cleaned regularly with warm water and a cloth or sponge. For stubborn stains, a mild detergent should be used in the feed trough. After cleaning, the trough should be rinsed with clean water to remove any soap residue.

Daily cleaning of the feeding trough involves removing food residues, dust and dirt from the trough to prevent the growth of mould, bacteria and parasites. Weekly cleaning of the feed trough involves a thorough clean, in which the trough is rinsed with water to loosen any stubborn dirt.

Feeding troughs from Alfako

Alfako’s horse feed troughs are made from hot-dip galvanised metal, making them extremely durable and robust. In our online shop, we offer a rectangular trough and a corner trough for permanent installation in a horse stall. Our horse feed troughs have a large capacity.

The rectangular trough is 27.5 cm wide, 49 cm long and 22 cm deep. The volume of the rectangular trough is approximately 30 litres and its own weight is 6.7 kg. The corner trough is 85 cm wide, 60 cm long and 28.5 cm deep. The volume of the corner trough is approx. 145 litres and it weighs 7.3 kg.

If you have any further questions about the feeding trough or our other products, please feel free to fill in the contact form on our website with your enquiry or contact us via your preferred method. To complement the horse feeding trough, we at Alfako also sell a large wall-mounted hay rack.