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 are feeding troughs for horses made of? 

Feeding troughs for horses are often made of plastic, metal and rubber. Plastic troughs are lightweight, durable and easy to clean, which makes them particularly practical for everyday use. They are also often resistant to the weather and do not rust, which increases their durability. Metal troughs, usually made of stainless steel or galvanised steel, are extremely robust and resistant to damage. They are particularly suitable for outdoor use as they are resistant to rodents and other pests. However, they can become hot or cold in extreme temperatures. Rubber troughs are flexible, shatterproof and offer a safe option as they have no sharp edges. They are also easy to clean and resistant to impact.

What are the advantages of a feeding trough?

The use of a feed trough offers the following advantages for animal husbandry and feeding.

• HygieneA feeding trough keeps the feed clean and free from dirt such as soil, straw or faeces, which could otherwise easily end up in open feed piles. This reduces the risk of disease and prevents the animals from ingesting undesirable substances.
• Reduce food wasteA feeding trough enables better control over the animals' feed intake, as the feed is not spilt or wasted. This helps to reduce feed costs and enables more efficient utilisation of feed.
• Organised feedingBy using feed troughs, the feed can be presented neatly and distributed in portions, allowing for organised and controlled feeding. This is particularly important in large herds to ensure even feed intake and equitable distribution.
• Convenient accessFeeding troughs provide animals with a comfortable and easily accessible place to eat without having to pick up food from the floor. This can improve feeding behaviour and facilitate food intake, especially for animals with restrictions or mobility problems.
• Reduction of injury risksWell-designed feed troughs minimise the risk of injury by avoiding sharp edges or protruding parts. This contributes to the safety and well-being of the animals.
• Easy cleaningFeeding troughs are usually easy to clean, which enables efficient maintenance and hygiene in the barn. This is particularly important to prevent the spread of disease and ensure a healthy environment for the animals.

How big are feeding troughs for horses?

Feeding troughs for horses usually 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. A full-grown horse needs a larger feed trough than a small pony. The size should also be adapted to the number of horses that will be eating from the trough.

If the trough is to be installed in a box for a single horse, a width of 40 - 50 cm is sufficient. If the trough is intended for the pasture, the trough should be at least 2 - 3 metres wide so that several horses can eat at the same time.

What feed troughs are there for horses?

Below you will find a list of the feed troughs for horses available on the market. 

• Foal trough
• Ponytrough
• Trough to hang up (also for on the way)
• Corner trough
• Rectangular trough 
• Half round trough

A foal trough is a container that is specially made for foals. This trough is characterised by the fact that the metal bars inside are fastened so close together that only the foal can eat from the trough, but not the mare. This ensures that the foal is fully fed. Both foal and pony troughs are adapted in size to the feed ration of foals and ponies. 

Hanging troughs are ideal for quick feeding on the move in the trailer, in the horse box or in the paddock. Thanks to the integrated carrying handle, the trough is easy to transport. 

A corner trough can be mounted in the corner of the horse stable and is therefore space-saving. Mounting in the corner ensures that the horse does not bump into the trough as easily as when the trough is attached to the wall.

The rectangular trough is one of the classic troughs and allows a large amount of feed to be filled. They are equipped with a circumferential tubular frame to avoid the risk of injury.

Half-round troughs have rounded edges so that the horse cannot injure itself when eating. The usually inwardly curved edge of the trough ensures that the horse does not throw the food out. 

How is a feeding trough fixed in the stable?

A feeding trough is mounted in the stable either in a corner or on the wall of the stable. These can either be permanently installed or simply hooked into the bars of the stable. The fixed version is attached with screws and bolts, while the hanging version is particularly suitable for travelling when you are 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. 

How do you clean and maintain a feeding trough?

Cleaning and maintenance of feed troughs should be carried out regularly to ensure that the animals receive clean feed and remain healthy. Here are some steps for cleaning and maintaining feed troughs.

Daily cleaning

Feed residues, dust and dirt should be removed from the feed troughs on a daily basis to prevent the formation of mould, bacteria and parasites. It is also important to check the condition of the trough system regularly and to repair or replace damaged parts immediately to avoid injury.

Weekly cleaning

The feed troughs should be cleaned thoroughly every week. This includes rinsing the troughs with water to loosen any stubborn dirt. If necessary, a mild soap solution or a disinfectant cleaner can be used to remove stubborn stains and germs. The feeding troughs should then be thoroughly rinsed with clean water to remove any cleaning agent residues.

Monthly inspection

It is advisable to carry out a monthly inspection of the entire trough system to identify wear, cracks or leaks. Damaged or worn parts should be repaired or replaced immediately to ensure the functionality and safety of the feed troughs.

Annual maintenance 

Thorough maintenance of the trough system should be carried out annually. All moving parts should be checked and cleaned to ensure smooth operation. The fastening of the feed troughs to the wall or floor should also be checked and tightened if necessary to ensure a stable installation. These regular cleaning and maintenance measures can extend the service life of the feed troughs and support the health of the animals.

How much does a feeding trough cost?

A feed trough usually costs between €12 and €160. The exact price depends on the desired size of the trough, the material of the feed trough and the 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.

Discover our feeding troughs from Alfako

If you are still looking for a feeding trough for your stable, then you have come to the right place. We at Alfako offer you two variants of a feeding trough with a large capacity in our online shop: the rectangular trough and the corner trough.

The rectangular trough is 27.5 cm high, 49 cm wide and 22 cm deep. It has a capacity of around 30 litres and can be attached to any wall of the horse stable.

The corner trough is 85 cm high, 60 cm wide and 28.5 cm deep. The volume of the corner trough is approx. 145 litres and can be installed in the corner of the horse stable. 

Both models are made of hot-dip galvanised metal and are therefore very durable and robust.

If you have any further questions about the feeding trough for horses 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.