![]() Some feeders must be plugged into an electrical outlet, which may create safety concerns. Since automatic feeders operate using electricity, it’s important to consider the power source. Other models have plastic composites, are not weather- or rodent-proof and are intended for indoor use only. Some, such as the AgPro ProFeeder, are made of galvanized steel, are air tight, can withstand weather and rodents and can be used both indoors and outdoors. Not all automatic feeders are created equal. Feeders can get clogged with feed, power sources can fail, and anyone who’s been around horses long enough can attest to the animal’s amazing ability to tamper with or downright destroy anything, especially something that doles out food. ![]() As with any machine, there is always the potential for malfunction. However, simply installing an automatic horse feeder to take the place of a human doing the job is not without its problems. Additionally, makers claim that automatic horse feeders prevent feed wasting and can save money. Horses that bolt their grain or choke from eating too fast may also benefit from eating smaller, more frequent meals as provided by an automatic feeder. ![]() Makers of automatic horse feeders tout the claim that their products provide small, frequent, regularly-timed feedings which more closely mimic the natural way a horse eats, and thus can contribute to a horse’s health.įor the stall-bound horse, an automatic feeder can combat boredom and may prevent wood-chewing or other vices. Studies have shown that by nature horse while awake eat nearly constantly and that by their steady ingestion of small amounts of food, gastro-intestinal problems such as ulcers and colic are less likely. Furthermore, automatic horse feeders may be beneficial to a horse’s health. From the facility with large numbers of horses to feed to the single horse laid up and in need of frequent, regularly-timed feedings or the horse owner with a hectic, unpredictable life schedule, automatic horse feeders can make caring for a horse easier. That said, there may be situations where programmable devices to automatically feed horses may be beneficial to both horse and owner. No horse should be left alone or unattended for extended periods of time for any reason. Any discussion about automatic horse feeders should start with a disclaimer that nothing can or should ever take the place of the human element in horse care.
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