 The HayBox Automatic Hay Feeder The HayBox Automatic Hay Feeder is designed to save you time, money, and support the health and well being of your horses. You can set the timer to feed multiple times per day-- rain, snow, or shine! TheHAYBOX- Built By a Horse Owner- For Horse Owners!
If you have horses, you understand the commitment. Feeding isn't optional — it’s every morning, every evening, in every kind of weather. Whether it’s raining sideways, snowing, or blowing 40 mph, the horses still expect and need their meals. And if you’re stuck at work, heading to a roping, out to dinner, or on vacation, your mind is back at home, hoping someone fed on time.That’s exactly where the HayBox began.
Created by Todd Libsack in Greeley, Colorado, the HayBox was born out of decades of experience in hay production and horse ownership. Todd understands the feeding struggle — the time, the routine, and the stress of finding reliable help when plans change. After too many nights running outside in a storm or rearranging life around feeding schedules, he finally said: “There has to be a better way to feed.” So he built it!The HayBox allows owners to program multiple openings and closings a day and night — delivering the exact schedule horses need without requiring the owner to be there. Today, every HayBox is still built with the same purpose: To make feeding easier for people — and better for horses. Feeding Science: The Case For Constant ForageHorses are grazing animals designed to eat small amounts of forage nearly around the clock. Their stomachs continuously produce gastric acid, whether food is present or not. Without steady orage to buffer that acid, the stomach lining can become irritated, increasing the risk of painful ulcers.Ulcers aren’t the only concern. Inconsistent forage intake increases the risk of colic—one of the leading causes of equine death—and can trigger stress behaviors such as cribbing, stall weaving, wood chewing, and aggression. Irregular feeding patterns may also disrupt metabolism, making horses more prone to insulin resistance, obesity, and laminitis. Veterinarians and equine nutritionists agree: horses do best when their digestive systems stay active. Frequent, timed feedings regulate acid levels, maintain gut motility, stabilize blood sugar, and promote mental calmness. Even for horses on restricted diets, controlled 24-hour access to forage supports calmer behavior, improved digestion, fewer metabolic spikes, and a reduced risk of colic, ulcers, and laminitis. Benefits OF HAYBOX VS. Traditional FeedingTraditional Feeding:* Digestive Health - Long Gaps- Acid Buildup- Ulcer Risk * Colic Risk - Fast Intake- Mobility Swings * Behavior- Cribbing, Pawing, Wood Chewing * Metabolism- Blood Sugar Spikes * Owner Time- Must Feed 2-3 Times per day * Hay Waste- Dragged, Stomped, Blown Away * Far From Natural Grazing That Nature Intended HayBox Controlled Slow Feeding:* Digestive Health - Continuous Forage Buffers Acid* Colic Risk - Slow, Steady Intake- Supports Gut Motility * Behavior- Calm Horses, Reduced Stress * Metabolism- Balanced Metabolism * Hay Waste- Enclosed Feeding Reduces Waste * Owner Time- Automatically Feeds For Days or Weeks * Supports Natural Grazing That Nature Intended Power & Construction
What Size HayBox Is Right For YOU?Mini HayBox Feeder — $4,995 • Best for 1–2 horses • Holds 2–3 small square bales • Ideal for stalls or individual pens • Plug-in or solar power • Heavy-duty, powder-coated steel Dual Long HayBox Feeder — $11,995 • Best for 2–8 horses • Holds 10–12 small bales or one 3×3×8 bale • Dual-sided feeding — perfect between runs • Plug-in or solar power • Heavy-duty, powder-coated steel Does The HayBox Actually Encourage Most Horses To Drink More Regularly? Yes! The HayBox Feeder does seem to encourage most horses to drink more water. Because they’re eating smaller, more frequent portions throughout the day, their digestive system stays active and balanced, which naturally makes them drink more. Horses are calmer and less stressed when they eat like this, and that usually means they stay better hydrated too.
CanHayBoxActually Help My Horse Business? Yes! For horse businesses, the HayBox has been a real asset. It acts like a controlled “mini pasture” that gives horses the benefit of grazing behavior without the risks that come from lush pastures, like laminitis or founder. Boarding barns that use HayBoxes have noticed healthier, calmer horses and happier boarders. Many owners are willing to pay more or stay longer knowing their horses are being fed this way — and the feeders also qualify as a business tax deduction since they’re considered equipment that supports horse health and management.
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The HayBox is a programmable, weatherproof automatic horse feeder that gives your horse controlled, timed access to hay around the clock. The timer can be set to open and close the lid up to six times per day and night, mimicking natural grazing patterns rather than the feast-and-fast cycle of twice-daily feeding. By spreading hay across multiple small meals, it helps reduce ulcer and colic risk, manage weight, and cut waste, all while the box does the work in rain, snow, or shine.
At the heart of every Hay Box is a heavy-duty actuator system rated from 330 to 450 pounds depending on the feeder size, which raises and lowers the lid with the push of a button. The programmable timer holds backup memory in case of power outages and includes a switch for daylight savings time, so feedings stay on schedule year-round. The lid is sloped to direct snow and rain away from the feeding area, the actuator is protected from dust and moisture, and the system is rated to operate in temperatures as low as -13 degrees.
Each HayBox is made from a heavy-duty steel frame wrapped in an edgeless steel skin and finished with a durable powder coat. Horse-safe design details include rounded corners and a hinged safety gate, while a perforated floor allows airflow and drains moisture so hay stays drier. Heavy-duty sled tracking is built in so the feeder can be repositioned around your property without a crane or fork attachment.
The Single Mini ($4,995.00) measures 54"W x 33"D x 41"H, weighs 500 lbs, serves one horse, and holds 3 small bales or a quarter of a 3x3x8 bale; it opens from one side and works best against a fence or building. The Dual Long ($11,995.00) measures 117"W x 63"D x 60"H, weighs 2,000 lbs, serves 6-8 horses, and holds 12 small bales or one full 3x3x8 bale, with an opening on each side that's ideal for placing between runs or in the middle of a pen. Both can be ordered as plug-in or fitted with solar power.
HayBoss Feeders™ is a no-waste, multi-species forage feeding system that holds hay above the ground in a sheltered, self-locking retractable net. The frames are built from high-grade galvanized steel and the net stays taut at all times on spring-loaded rollers, so rain, snow, mud, wind, and waste are no longer an issue. Keeping forage clean and raised helps promote animal health and lets you manage intake more effectively.
The Junior ($3,650) holds up to 8 small square bales and assembles to 60" x 54" x 70" or 82". The Standard ($4,200) fits any size round bale or up to 16 small square bales at 95" x 78" x 84.5". The XL ($4,200) takes one large rectangular bale up to 4'x4'x8' or as many as 20 small square bales at 110" x 54" x 70" or 82". Netting is included with every feeder purchase.
You choose your netting to match your feeder: #1 Net has approximately 1 1/4" diamonds, #2 Net approximately 1 1/8" diamonds, and #3 Net approximately 2 1/2" diamonds. The #3 option is available on the Standard and DIY Round Bale feeders. Netting is included with every feeder purchase, and the thick nylon net is self-tensioned by the spring-loaded roller.
Yes. HayBoss offers a full DIY line so you can assemble the feeder yourself and save: the DIY JR Square Bale Feeder is $2,050, the DIY XL Square Bale Feeder is $2,250, and the DIY Round Bale Feeder is $2,450. Each kit includes the roller and handle frames, hardware, your chosen netting, building instructions, and a materials list you can source at your local hardware store. HayBoss also provides easy instructional videos to walk you through the build.
Yes. The PenPal ($490) is designed for small square bales: just unlatch the net frame, place the bale inside, and relatch. The HayBoss DIY Barrel Kit ($165) turns a used barrel into a slow feeder and includes hooks, bolts, a cutting stencil, netting, and a hoop (you supply the barrel). HayRing feeders start at only $875 and use heavy-duty, water-resistant polyethylene orange netting on a lightweight, convertible panel design.
Yes. HayBoss feeders are intentionally built with two adjustable heights, set to 12" or 29" from the ground, to address pawing. If a horse paws while adjusting to net feeding, raise the feeder to the top setting until they settle, then lower it to your preferred height. For Standard feeders used with round bales, an optional Paw Bar Kit can also be attached.
Yes. HayBoss knows nets don't last forever, even durable ones, so you can order a replacement net rather than a whole new feeder. Give them a call and the staff will work out something for you and get you a replacement net. You can also check the FAQ page for other questions.
HayBoss Feeders™ is a family-owned manufacturer based in Edmonton/Sturgeon County, Alberta, Canada, with facilities in both Canada and the United States. To order or ask questions, call 1-844-Hay-Boss (844-429-2677) and the friendly staff will help you every step of the way. You can also browse the full product line, FAQ, and DIY videos at https://www.haybossfeeders.com/.
A HayBoss Feeder is a controlled, slow-feed hay system that holds a bale between two retractable, self-locking nets, keeping forage sheltered and off the ground. Animals graze through the netting at a natural, steady pace instead of gorging on or trampling loose hay. The company sums up the approach with its motto, "Feed Smart."
HayBoss reports that its hexagonal HEX ring feeder can reduce hay waste by up to 15% compared to traditional round feeders by eliminating the dead zones where hay gets trampled. Across the net-feeder lineup, the slow-feed design keeps hay off the ground and contained, so less is wasted to weather, manure, and bedding. Less waste translates directly into a lower feed bill.
The lineup includes Premium feeders (Big Round, Big Square, Small Square, and the compact PenPal Premium), the four-model Ring Feeder line (Big Round, Big Square, Small Round, Small Square), the HEX hexagonal ring feeder, DIY feeder kits, net panels, and a DIY Barrel Feeder Kit. There are also accessories like the Hay Buddy and built barrel-feeder nets. Sizes scale from a single square bale up to large round and square bales.
HayBoss Feeders™ is one of North America's premier net-feeder manufacturers, with facilities in both Canada and the United States. Its headquarters are at 54320 Range Rd 253, St. Albert, AB T8T 1R8, and it operates an office in Ottawa, Ontario. Product ships across Canada and the USA.
You can call HayBoss at 1 (844) HAY-BOSS or (613) 869-3568, or email [email protected]. Their hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm. You can also shop and order directly at haybossfeeders.com.
Ring Feeder bodies are molded from thick, strong-yet-lightweight plastic reinforced with continuous metal along the top and bottom corners. The HEX and Premium feeders are built from heavy-duty galvanized steel designed to withstand harsh weather with minimal maintenance. All net-feeder models use heavy-duty black nylon netting with a high UV rating.
HayBoss net panels commonly use a 1¼" x 1¼" diamond opening, used across Big Round, Big Square, and PenPal panel types. The netting is high-tensile, abrasion-resistant, and UV-rated, with thicker cordage and a less-abrasive weave than many knotted nets. This sizing slows intake while staying safe for the animals feeding through it.
Yes. By promoting slower, steadier eating, HayBoss net panels help prevent cribbing, heaves, and ulcers, and they reduce herd aggression around feed. Keeping hay off the ground also keeps it cleaner and lowers exposure to sand and parasites, supporting both digestive and respiratory health.
The HayBoss HEX is a large round-bale hay ring feeder with a distinctive six-sided, hexagonal shape measuring 48 x 22 x 32 inches. Its straight sides eliminate the dead zones found in traditional round feeders so livestock can reach all of the hay, and HayBoss says it can cut hay waste by up to 15%. It is built from heavy-duty galvanized steel and suits cattle, horses, goats, and sheep.
HayBoss Feeders are designed for cattle, horses, goats, and sheep, and certain models are also suitable for deer and exotics. The compact PenPal Premium is sized for a single square bale, making it ideal for individual horses, goats, or sheep. Larger Premium and Ring models serve full herds.
HayBoss Ring Feeders are priced (in CAD) at roughly $1,295.00–$1,544.00 for the Big Round, $1,535.00–$1,760.00 for the Big Square, $1,115.00–$1,280.00 for the Small Square, and $1,015.00–$1,220.00 for the Small Round. The price range within each model reflects different netting and configuration options. Financing options are available.
Yes. The DIY Barrel Feeder Kit is priced at $199.00 CAD and lets you build your own controlled-feeding barrel feeder, and a Barrel Feeder Built Medium Net runs $360.00 CAD. The PenPal Premium, at $570.00 CAD, is a low-cost single-square-bale feeder. These give smaller operations and single-horse owners an affordable way into net feeding.
Yes. HayBoss panels are universal, so a Big Round Ring Feeder can be converted into a Big Square Ring Feeder using a corner conversion kit. This versatility lets owners adapt one feeder to round or square bales as their needs change, protecting the investment over time.
The Ring Feeders are built from a thick plastic that is strong and durable yet lightweight enough for one person to move without equipment. This portability makes them practical for rotating feeding spots, reducing mud buildup, and managing pastures. Heavier galvanized-steel Premium and HEX models are built for more permanent placement.
In addition to ordering online at haybossfeeders.com, you can buy HayBoss products through local CO-OP Agro Centre locations and a network of authorized dealers across Canada and the USA. The company also offers financing to help spread out the cost of larger feeders. Contact HayBoss directly to find the nearest dealer.
Yes. Beyond its feeders, HayBoss offers HayBoss Hay, premium horse and livestock forage, alongside net assemblies, net panels, parts, and accessories. This lets customers source both their controlled-feeding equipment and quality hay from a single supplier. Availability is centered on its Canadian and US operations.
Feeding hay on the ground or in an open rack invites trampling, contamination, and rapid gorging that can lead to waste and health issues. A HayBoss net feeder keeps hay clean and off the ground while slowing intake, which mimics natural grazing, reduces boredom-related vices, and stretches every bale further. The combination of less waste and better animal health is why the company urges owners to "Feed Smart."
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