Our story

Our Story

Born from necessity, perfected through passion

How It All Began

They say necessity is the mother of invention—and that couldn't be more true for the Hay Bar. Like many horse owners, I was facing the perfect storm: soaring hay prices, a cost of living crisis, and relentless weather. Wind, rain, more wind... and watching half my precious hay get trodden on, pooped on, weed on, blown away, or trampled into the mud.

Something had to change.

The Search for a Solution

With seven horses and ponies in groups, traditional hay nets weren't practical—I had nowhere to tie them, and managing that many animals made it impossible. I tried piles of hay in tyres, but that wasn't much better.

Then inspiration struck. I had an old water trough I was about to convert into a pond when I thought: what if I put hay in it? Better yet, what if I flipped it over and cut holes in it? The hay would stay dry and wouldn't blow away. It was worth a try.

So I bought an angle grinder off Trade Me and cut out some circles.

Testing and Refining

I trialled my prototype with my two Thoroughbred horses, and it worked! But it wasn't quite right—they pushed it along the ground because they couldn't reach all the hay. The size needed adjusting.

I went back to the drawing board, carefully observing how they ate, measuring their head positions and neck angles. I monitored hay loss and tested the design in extreme wind and rain. Through this process, I developed the optimal size and hole placement.

Now I needed to find someone who could manufacture it properly.

Bringing the Vision to Life

After searching for water tank and trough makers, I connected with a manufacturer based in Ashburton. Over the next 12 months, through many drawings and brainstorming sessions, we refined the design into what you see today.

We tested it extensively with both ponies and horses—all with great success. We even trialled it with sheep, making it perfect for lifestyle block owners during winter when grass is scarce.

The Final Touches

Initially, we planned to add hay from the bottom, using a mold the manufacturer had created for a fertilizer spreader. But we soon realized some cheeky ponies might pop the lid off, so we needed a secure yet easy-to-use fastening system.

The solution? Marine-grade bungees—three of them for maximum strength and durability, making it quick and safe to secure the lid even when you're in a hurry.

Today

The Hay Bar is the result of real-world problem-solving, extensive testing, and a commitment to helping fellow horse owners save money, reduce waste, and keep their animals happy and healthy—no matter what the weather throws at us.

Thank you for being part of our journey.