Feeding trough

What is a feeding trough?

A feeding trough is a container or bowl that is specially designed for feeding animals, especially farm animals such as horses, cattle, sheep or goats. The feeding trough is used to provide feed such as hay, concentrated feed or other feedstuffs for the animals. Feed troughs can come in different shapes and sizes, depending on the type of animal and the specific feeding requirements. They are usually designed so that the animals can easily access the feed while allowing for neat and hygienic feed management. Feeding troughs can be made from a variety of materials, including plastic, metal or rubber. Feeding troughs are essential in agriculture and animal husbandry to ensure the efficient and healthy feeding of animals.

What material is a feeding trough for horses made of?

A feeding trough for horses is usually made of galvanised stainless steel, plastic, metal or rubber. These four materials are particularly characterised by their robust, durable, temperature-resistant and easy-to-clean properties. Feeding troughs should always be made of food-safe materials. 

In the following, we present the various materials for a feeding trough for horses in detail.

• Stainless steel feeding trough: A stainless steel feeding trough is very durable, corrosion-resistant and rust-free. Stainless steel feed troughs are also low-maintenance as they are easy to clean.
• Plastic feeding trough: Plastic feed troughs are lightweight, durable and easy to clean, making them particularly practical for everyday use. Plastic troughs are also resistant to the weather and do not rust, which increases their durability. 
• Metal feeding trough: A metal feeding trough is extremely robust and resistant to damage. Metal troughs are also particularly suitable for outdoor use as they are resistant to rodents and other pests.
• Lining trough made of rubber: A rubber feeding trough is flexible, unbreakable and offers a safe option as it has no sharp edges. Rubber troughs are easy to clean and resistant to impact loads.

What types of feed troughs are there for horses?

The following list shows the types of feed troughs available for horses.

• Horse trough: A horse trough is designed to fit the size of a full-grown horse so that there is enough food in the trough.

• Pony trough: A pony trough is smaller than a horse trough, as ponies do not get as much feed as large horses.

• • Foal trough: A foal trough is very small and specially made for foals. This trough is characterised by the closely spaced bars inside so that only the foal and not the mare can reach the food in the trough.
  • Trough for hanging: A hanging trough offers flexible feeding at any location and is therefore also suitable for travelling (e.g. in a trailer).

• Corner trough: A corner trough is mounted in the corner of the horse box so that it takes up less space in the box.

• • Rectangular trough: The rectangular trough is one of the classic troughs and allows a large amount of feed to be filled. The square troughs are equipped with a surrounding tubular frame to avoid the risk of injury.

• Semicircular trough: In contrast to a rectangular feeding trough, a semi-circular trough has no corners or edges. A semi-circular feeding trough reduces the risk of injury.

How big are feeding troughs for horses?

Most feed troughs for horses have a volume of between 6 litres and 150 litres. The size of the feed trough depends on the size and age of your horse and the number of horses that will eat from the trough. A full-grown horse needs a larger feed trough than a small pony.

If the trough is intended for a single horse in a box, a width of 40 to 50 centimetres is sufficient. If the trough is to be installed in the pasture, it is necessary to select a trough width of at least 2 to 3 metres. A sufficient size is important so that several horses are able to eat at the same time.

How is a feeding trough fixed in the stable?

A feed trough is fixed in a corner or on the front wall of the horse box. Feed troughs are either permanently installed or simply hung in the stable door. The permanently installed version is fastened with screws and bolts, while the hanging version is particularly suitable for travelling (e.g. at competitions).

The height at which you attach the feed trough depends on the size of your horse or pony. The trough should always be attached so that it hangs at the height of the animal's front joint. The right height when attaching the feed trough enables the horse to eat from the trough without any complications.

What are the advantages of a feeding trough?

The advantages of a feed trough for keeping and feeding horses can be seen in the following list.

• Improved hygiene: A feed trough enables improved hygiene, as it keeps the feed clean and free from contamination such as straw or faeces, which would otherwise easily get into the feed. The feed trough therefore reduces the risk of diseases.
• Reduced food waste: A feed trough reduces feed wastage, as the feed is not spilt due to better control over the horses' feed intake. The feed trough therefore helps to reduce feed costs and enables feed to be utilised 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: Feeding troughs offer animals easy and convenient access to food without them having to pick it up from the floor. A raised feeding trough can improve feeding behaviour and facilitate feed intake, especially for animals with restrictions or mobility problems.
• Reduction of injury risksWell-designed feed troughs reduce the risk of injury by having no sharp edges or protruding parts. Rounded feed troughs contribute to the safety and well-being of horses.
• Easy cleaning: Feeding troughs are easy to clean, which enables efficient maintenance and hygiene in the barn. Easy cleaning of the feed trough is particularly important to prevent the spread of disease and ensure a healthy environment for the animals.

What is the price of a feed trough?

A feed trough usually costs between €12 and €160. The exact price depends on the desired size and material of the trough as well as the required amount of feed for the respective horse or horses. The differences in cost are so great because metal feed troughs are more expensive than plastic ones.

How do you look after a feeding trough?

The following is a list of daily, weekly, monthly and annual feed trough maintenance to prolong the life of the feed troughs and support the health of the animals.

• Daily cleaning: Daily cleaning of the feed trough consists of removing food residues, dust and dirt from the feed trough to prevent the formation of mould, bacteria and parasites. Damaged parts must be repaired or replaced to avoid injury.
• Weekly cleaning: The weekly cleaning of the feeding trough includes a thorough cleaning by rinsing the trough with water to loosen stubborn dirt. If necessary, a mild soap solution or a disinfectant cleaner is used to remove stubborn stains and germs. The feeding troughs should then be rinsed thoroughly with clean water to remove any cleaning agent residues.
• Monthly inspection: The monthly inspection of the feed trough consists of identifying wear, cracks or leaks. Damaged or worn parts must be repaired or replaced immediately to ensure the functionality and safety of the feed troughs.
• Annual maintenanceDuring the annual maintenance of the feed trough, moving parts are checked and cleaned to ensure smooth operation. The fastening of the feed trough to the wall must be checked and tightened if necessary to ensure a stable installation.

Feeding troughs from Alfako

In our online shop, we offer two versions of a feed trough with a large capacity: the rectangular trough and the corner trough for fixed installation in the horse box. Both models are made of hot-dip galvanised metal and are therefore very durable and robust.

The rectangular trough is 27.5 centimetres wide, 49 centimetres long and 22 centimetres deep. It has a volume of approximately 30 litres and weighs 6.7 kilograms. 

The corner trough is 85 centimetres wide, 60 centimetres long and 28.5 centimetres deep. The volume of the corner trough is approximately 145 litres and weighs 7.3 kilograms. 

If you have any further questions about the feeding trough or our products, please fill in the contact form on our website with your enquiry and we will get back to you as soon as possible.