This page is for common questions we get asked a lot and the answers
If you have any questions youd like answered feel free to contact us!
What Country is Porta-Grazer made in
Porta-Grazer is 100% USA made. We manufacture the feeders in Chino Calif. We do have international dealers that we ship containers to that sell to customers in those countries.
Can I get a shipping discount if order more than one to ship together?
These feeders are large and can not be stacked inside each other. Each feeder must ship in its own box.
What shipping method is used?
We ship by Fedex ground.
Which model should I get?
The mini model is designed for miniature horses and can also be used by certain sheep breeds and large goats. Its only 18 inch tall.
The XL model and the Corner Feeder models are designed for all other horses. The XL model is a twice a day feeder. The corner model is designed to be filled once a day.
All models have a drain plug and can be used anywhere.
Inside, outside, or when traveling. Yes, even the corner feeder.
How do I choose the pan I need?
The pan needed per model is dictated by the type of hay you are using, size of bale you are pulling hay off of etc. Each product in the catalog has a guideline listed so you can choose the correct pan for the model and hay you are feeding. As well as HOW you feed. Be sure to read it carefully so you will have the correct pan for what you need. Not using the proper pan can result in damage to the pan and is not covered under warranty.
How sturdy are they?
Porta-Grazers are made for horses. We expect them to be rolled around, knocked over, etc. Here is the the report showing how sturdy we make them. How Sturdy Are They?
How do I get the pan out?
There is a key hole in the side wall of the pan... Point that keyhole towards the handle with the arrow on it. (In the case of the corner feeder point it towards the handle)
How much hay does each model hold?
The mini model holds approx 2 average size flakes
The XL model holds 3 average size flakes and is designed to be filled twice a day -morning and evening when free feeding a horse that is self regulated. You can also ration feed in this model using the 6 hole pan.
The Corner Feeder model holds 6 average size flakes- enough hay to last most self regulated horses approx 24 hours. Its designed to be filled once a day.
Can I feed grain in the Porta-Grazer or in the Water trough/Lid?
It is not recommended to feed grain in the Porta-Grazer Each Porta-Grazer has a trough at the bottom of the barrel. Debris, sand etc is trapped there so the horse can not ingest it. If you place grain in the feeder some will be shaken down into this trough.
The water trough/Lid is only designed to hold water. It has a small trough in the bottom. Grain can get caught in this area and would become moldy.
Wont my horse get fat if I free feed?
Not if you feed a low calorie type forage. When free feeding you do not regulate the volume... Horses are designed to have forage 24/7 to buffer the stomach acid that runs 24/7. You regulate the calories IN the hay that you feed. Regulating the calories is how you control weight. Each horse has different calorie needs. Meet those needs by the type of hay you feed. A low calorie grass hay is better for the horses digestive system than to feed 2 or 3 meals of high calorie hay where the horse goes long stretches with nothing in in its gut.
Can I soak hay in the Porta-Grazer?
Yes! All model have a drain plug to make soaking or rinsing hay easy! Place the hay in the feeder per the directions, place the pan in, and fill with water. When you are done soaking simply drain the water and give to you horse.
Will the Porta-Grazer damage my horses teeth?
The Porta-Grazer is made from a food grade plastic that is designed to be softer than normal healthy horse teeth. If the horse bites or scrapes its teeth on the feeder you will see that the plastic gives.
If you are seeing teeth marks on the pan this indicates that the horse is having trouble getting the hay out. Check to make sure the proper pan is being used, and that the hay is loaded correctly.
How to load the Porta-Grazer correctly. (Click the link)
Can I use the Porta-Grazer if I ration feed?
Yes, you can ration feed using a Porta-Grazer. You will need to use the XL model with the 6 hole pan. Though horses are designed to have forage at all times. The Porta-Grazer was designed to allow grazing when pasture is not an option. Using a low calorie type hay would enable the horse to have more hay without the excess calories they don't need.
Can horses share a Porta-Grazer?
Each horse needs its own feeder. If there is only one feeder available the dominate horse will take it. When feeding in a herd setting each horse needs its own feeder. And spread them out so no horse can "guard" the feeders preventing the lesser horse from eating.
Is the corner feeder round?
Yes, all Porta-Grazers are round. The Corner Feeder has extra plastic on the one handle so if you wish to secure it in the corner of a stall it looks flush with the wall..
Can I use the Porta-Grazer outside in the weather?
Yes. All models are designed to be used anywhere, inside or outside.. They are rated to neg 30 and have 15 yr UV inhibitor. All models have a drain plug which lets any rain drain out.
How do I secure the feeder in a stall or paddock
When securing in a stall place an eye bolt approx 4 inches above the height of the handle then secure it thru one handle..
When securing to a post go thru the handle then around the post approx 4 inches above the handle.
You want it to sit flat without being able to be tipped over.
Do not go around the barrel. Use the handle.
Make sure the barrel is not sitting on anything abrasive.. Being made from plastic any sand, pebbles, etc can wear down the plastic over time..
A mat placed under the feeder will help protect it. Though it will need to be swept underneath the feeder often to prevent sand, dirt etc being trapped under the feeder that could wear on the plastic.
The Porta-Grazer does NOT have to be tied after the introductory period. They are designed to be rolled around by the horse. The hay will stay in due to locking tab system. This is especially handy when you are feeding outside in snowy weather. The horse can tip it over to knock the snow out. They will stand it back up to graze.
Can I feed cubes in the Porta-Grazer?
Yes You can feed cubes. You would need to use the pan with the lowest hole count. In the XL that would be a 6 hole pan. In the Corner model use the 8 hole.
My horse can only eat pellets. Can I use a Porta-Grazer?
Yes, the Porta-Grazer has a pellet pan designed specifically to feed pellets when hay is not an option. The pellet pan is only available in the XL and Mini models. By using a low calorie type hay pellet such as timothy pellets your horse can be free fed same as if it were grazing on hay. The pellet pan only allows a few pellets at a time to be rolled onto the pan for your horse to eat. Only a few pellets at a time are taken into the mouth so they can be chewed thoroughly.
My horse gets the pan out....
99.9% of the time this is caused from over filling the feeder.. When the feeder is stuffed full and you have push down to lock the pan in this creates a lot of pressure from the hay pushing upwards against the bottom of the pan... When the pan spins and happens to align with the notches the pressure from underneath pushes the pan out. To prevent this- simple put less hay in.. You want to drop the pan freely down thru the notches and give it a spin.
Which pan should I use if I feed mixed hay?
When feeding a mix of coarse and fine type hay you will need the pan with the least hole count.. In the XL this would be the 6 hole, in the corner use the 8 hole.. This allows you to feed any type of hay and any combination of hay.
Will my horse eat "slower" if I use a smaller hole pan?
The Porta-Grazer is not designed to force your horse to "slow down" or make a small amount of hay last all day. The Porta-Grazer is designed to allow your horse to graze naturally.. There is nothing natural about forcing your horse to try and get its forage from tiny holes.
The pan is designed to lift and hold the hay so the horse can size and tear off bites same as if grazing on pasture. Using the proper hole count is very important.
By trying to use a pan with smaller holes than is called for will force the horse to eat down thru the holes. This will cause damage to the pan over time. Not to mention cause frustration and anxiety for your horse.
When a horse stands for long periods of time with no forage the stomach acid builds up. Since the stomach acid runs 24/7 they need forage 24/7. Having no forage available when they need it can lead to gastric ulcers.
How do I "slow" them down?
To get your horse to eat "slower" make sure they have enough hay to meet their digestive needs. When provided enough low calorie forage your horse can self regulate and will eat what it needs and walk away. They will come back again later when the stomach acid builds up and they need to graze again.
My horse is chewing on the pan, teeth marks, misshapen holes, etc
When a horse is having difficulty getting the hay they will push down and try to grab the hay thru the holes. The holes may become jagged or misshapen. You may see teeth marks around the hole, kinda like a starburst.. If this goes on for too long without correcting the issue you will start to see cracks in the plastic between the holes. This is caused by the horse constantly pushing down to grab bits of hay.
The easiest way to prevent this is to make sure the proper hole count is being used and make sure the hay is being loaded correctly.
The pan is designed to lift the hay up to the horse, if it cant pick up the hay then the horse is forced to try and eat down thru the holes which damages the pan over time.
My mare has a foal- will the foal learn to eat from the Porta-Grazer?
Yes... The foal will learn to use the feeder by imitating the mare.
Can sheep/goats use the Porta-Grazer?
Floyd is a LaMancha. His lack of ears is a breed trait.
Yes and No... First does your animal have horns? If so you will most likely not want to feed in the Porta-Grazer since the lip of the barrel could catch the horns. If your critters do not have horns then your next step is to measure the animal in question.
For some goats/sheep the mini works great! Just keep in mind that if they cant reach into it they cant get the feed. You want to have them drop their head to the ground and measure from where their neck ties into their chest straight down to the ground. The mini model is 18 inches tall.. Next is to use the 8 hole pan. They eat differently than horses so using the 8 hole is required.