GB2355640A

GB2355640A - Method and apparatus for feeding horses

Info

Publication number: GB2355640A
Application number: GB0024342A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Graham Edward Burden
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-10-05
Filing date: 2000-10-05
Publication date: 2001-05-02
Also published as: GB0024342D0; GB9923403D0

Abstract

The apparatus comprises a container (10) intended to be placed on the floor of a stable, an upwardly spring-loaded platform (13) within the container (10) and a mesh cover (12) which closes the open top of the container (10). Forage is placed in the container (10) on top of the platform (13) so that the forage is spring-urged upwardly against the underside of the mesh cover (13) so as to be accessible to the horse. The mesh cover may be in the form of a hinged lid and a releasable latch (20) may retain the platform against the spring-loading whilst the container is filled.

Description

2355640 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FEEDING HORSES

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a method and apparatus for feeding horses.

The objects of the present invention include the provision of an improved method of feeding horses and the provision of an improved apparatus for feeding horses.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of feeding a horse which comprises providing a container intended to be placed on the floor or ground, providing an upwardly spring-loaded platform within the container, placing forage on the platform, and positioning a mesh cover over the forage such that the forage is springurged upwardly against the mesh cover so as to be accessible to the horse through the openings in the mesh cover.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided apparatus for feeding a horse comprising a container intended to be placed on the floor or ground, and an upwardly 2 spring-loaded platform within the container, the container having an open top which, in use, is closed by a mesh cover such that forage can be placed within the container on the spring-loaded platform so as to be spring-urged upwardly against the mesh cover so as to be accessible to the horse through the mesh cover.

Releasable latch means is preferably provided for holding the platform in a depressed condition while filling of the container with forage is being effected. The latch means may be such that it is movable manually between its engaged and disengaged positions.

The spring means may be in the form of a tension spring which acts between two elements of a scissors linkage, with the ends of the elements of the scissors linkage arranged for guided movement in slots in guide members fixed to the underside of the platform and to the base of the container.

The mesh cover may be in the form of a hinged lid for the container in which the forage is placed.

Tests indicate that all horses benefit from a near to ground level feeding position. For example, feeding of a horse using the apparatus of the present invention has the following advantages as compared to using a high hay rack:- a) it prevents respiratory disorders, b) it avoids dust and chaff damage to the eyes of the horse, and c) it avoids straining of the horse's neck muscles.

3 Another practical advantage of the present invention is that wastage of forage is negligible, consisting mainly of items which the horse has rejected as unpalatable.

Brief Description of the Drawing

The single figure of the accompanying drawing is a sectional view of an apparatus for feeding horses in accordance with the present invention, showing the platform on which the forage is placed in a position spaced upwardly from its lowest position.

Descrig)tion of the Preferred Embodiment The horse-feeding apparatus shown in the drawing comprises a rectangular container 10 having a flat base 11 intended to rest on, for example, the floor of a stable. The container 10 is of such size that it can contain a substantial quantity of forage, e.g. hay or haylage, for feeding a horse, which quantity may correspond substantially to the amount of forage which can be placed in a hay rack. The container 10 is provided with a hinged mesh lid 12, with the sizes of the apertures in the mesh such as to enable a horse to obtain access to the hay or haylage within the container 10 through the apertures in the lid 12.

There is a horizontal platform 13 within the container 10 and this platform 13 is urged constantly upwards so that the hay or haylage within the container 10 will be maintained in contact with the mesh lid 12 and, therefore, accessible to the horse. The means for urging the platform 13 upwardly includes a scissors linkage consisting of a pair of links 14 and 15, rollers 16 at the ends of the links 14 and 15 and a tension spring 17 which acts between the lower ends of the links 14 and 15. The rollers 16 are arranged to run in guide tracks 18 and 19 secured to the underside of the platform 13 and to the base 11.

A latch 20 is provided adjacent the base 11 of the container 10 for holding the platform 13 in a depressed condition while the container 10 is being filled with forage. The latch 20 is acted on by a spring (not shown) to urge it into the position shown in the drawing and is movable by, for example, a handle (not shown) between its engaged and disengaged positions. The shape of the latch 20 is, however, such that, when the platform 13 is pressed downwardly, the edge portion of the platform 13 will engage an inclined surface of the latch 20 to displace it outwardly (against the action of its spring) and allow continued downward movement of the platform 13.

In use, the container 10 is placed within a stable. The lid 12 is raised and the platform is depressed against the action of its spring-loading. The latch 20 moves outwardly against the action of its spring and then returns to the position shown to hold the platform 13 in its depressed position while filling of the container 10 with hay or haylage is effected. The lid 12 is then closed and the latch 20 moved out of its engaged position to allow the spring 17, which acts between the lower ends of the two links 14 and 15, to urge the platform 13 upwardly so that the top surface of the forage within the container 10 is maintained in contact with the underside of the lid 12. The horse is then able to feed continuously from the container 10 until all the forage has been consumed.

Use of the apparatus provides the various advantages outlined above and is of substantial benefit in maintaining the condition and vitality of the hose which is being fed.

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Claims

Claims:-

1. A method of feeding a horse which comprises providing a container intended to be placed on the floor or ground, providing an upwardly spring-loaded platform within the container, placing forage on the platform, and positioning a mesh cover over the forage such that the forage is spring-urged upwardly against the mesh cover so as to be accessible to the horse through the openings in the mesh cover.

2. A method of feeding a hose substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

3. An apparatus for feeding a horse comprising a container intended to be placed on the floor or ground, and an upwardly spring-loaded platform within the container, the container having an open top which, in use, is closed by a mesh cover such that forage can be placed within the container on the spring-loaded platform so as to be spring-urged upwardly against the mesh cover so as to be accessible to the horse through the mesh cover.

4. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 3, in which releasable latch means is provided for holding the platform in a depressed condition while filling of the container with forage is being effected.

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5. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 4, in which the latch means is such that it is movable manually between its engaged and disengaged positions.

6. An apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 3 to 5, in which the spring means acting on the platform is in the form of a tension spring which acts between two elements of a scissors linkage, with the ends of the elements of the scissors linkage arranged for guided movement in slots in guide members fixed to the underside of the platform and to the base of the container.

7. An apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 3 to 6, in which the mesh cover is in the form of a hinged lid for the container in which the forage is placed.

8. An apparatus for feeding horses substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawing.