Horse Safe Round Bale Feeder | Open Top Tombstone Style | Behlen OTB8

⚠️ LOCAL PICKUP ONLY — Available at Purity Feed in Kamloops & Merritt, BC. Contact us for pricing and availability.

Horses feed differently than cattle — they need to lower their head naturally, and they’re more prone to injury from feeders that trap or restrict head movement. The Behlen Country OTB8 Tombstone-Style Open Top Round Bale Feeder is designed specifically with that in mind. The open top and tombstone-shaped dividers allow horses to reach in and pull hay with a natural downward head motion, without the risk of getting caught or injured on a closed-top design. Nine feeding spaces let a group eat simultaneously from a single round bale, reducing waste and competition. At 176 pounds of 16-gauge tubular steel with a powder-coated grey finish, it’s built to handle daily horse and cattle pressure season after season.

Key Features

• Horse-Safe Tombstone Design – Open top with tombstone-shaped dividers allows natural downward head movement and eliminates the entrapment risk associated with closed-top feeders — the safest round bale feeder design for horses
• Open Top – Horses can reach in from above as well as through the side openings, accommodating natural feeding posture and reducing neck and poll strain
• 9 Feeding Spaces – Accommodates up to 9 animals feeding simultaneously, reducing competition and stress at the bale
• 16-Gauge Tubular Steel – Heavy-duty construction built to withstand daily livestock pressure from horses and cattle
• 8 Ft Diameter × 50" Tall – Sized to accommodate a standard round bale with enough height to keep hay contained as the bale is consumed
• Powder Coated Grey Finish – Corrosion-resistant coating extends feeder lifespan in outdoor environments and resists chipping under daily use
• 176 lbs – Substantial weight keeps the feeder stable under horse and cattle pressure without anchoring
• Suitable for Cattle Too – The tombstone design is equally safe and effective for cattle operations, making it a versatile choice for mixed horse and cattle operations

Product Specifications

• Model: Behlen Country OTB8 — #26121157
• Style: Tombstone / Open Top
• Feeding Spaces: 9
• Diameter: 8 ft
• Height: 50"
• Frame: 16-gauge tubular steel
• Finish: Powder coated grey
• Weight: 176 lbs
• Barcode/UPC: 17141022594
• SKU: WATRBF26121157
• Vendor: Behlen Country
• Availability: Local Pickup Only — Kamloops & Merritt, BC

Ideal For

Horse operations requiring a safe round bale feeder that eliminates entrapment risk, mixed horse and cattle operations needing a feeder suitable for both species, farms feeding groups of up to 9 horses or cattle from a single round bale, and producers upgrading from a closed-top or open-bar feeder to a horse-safe tombstone design.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a tombstone-style round bale feeder?
A tombstone-style round bale feeder gets its name from the shape of the dividers between feeding spaces — they are arched at the top, resembling a tombstone shape. This arch creates a wide, smooth opening that allows horses to reach in and pull hay with a natural downward head motion, without sharp edges or tight spaces that could trap or injure a horse’s head or neck. Tombstone feeders are widely considered the safest round bale feeder design for horses.

Why is a tombstone feeder safer for horses than other round bale feeder designs?
Horses are more prone to feeder-related injuries than cattle because of how they feed and how they react when startled. Closed-top feeders and feeders with narrow bar spacing can trap a horse’s head or neck, leading to serious injury or death if the horse panics. The tombstone design’s wide arched openings and open top allow horses to pull their head out quickly in any direction without restriction. The open top also allows horses to feed with a natural downward head posture, which is better for their respiratory health and reduces the risk of hay dust inhalation.

What is the difference between an open top and closed top round bale feeder?
A closed-top feeder has a ring or frame across the top that keeps the bale contained but restricts how animals can access the hay — they can only reach in through the side openings. An open-top feeder has no top ring, allowing animals to reach in from above as well as through the sides. For horses, open-top feeders are generally safer because they allow more freedom of head movement and reduce the risk of entrapment. The trade-off is that open-top feeders may allow slightly more hay to be pulled out from the top, but the safety benefit for horses typically outweighs this.

Can this feeder be used for cattle as well as horses?
Yes — the Behlen OTB8 tombstone design is equally safe and effective for cattle. The wide tombstone openings accommodate cattle feeding naturally, and the 16-gauge tubular steel construction handles cattle pressure without issue. This makes it a practical choice for mixed horse and cattle operations that need a single feeder design that works safely for both species.

How many horses can feed from this feeder at once?
This feeder has 9 feeding spaces, meaning up to 9 horses can feed simultaneously from a single round bale. As a general rule, plan for at least one feeding space per horse in the group to prevent dominant horses from pushing others away and causing uneven nutrition and stress in the herd.

How does this feeder compare to the Behlen Hayguard sheeted feeder?
The Behlen Hayguard is a medium-duty sheeted feeder designed primarily for cattle, with S-bar dividers and a sheeted lower panel for maximum hay savings. The Behlen OTB8 is designed specifically for horse safety, with tombstone-shaped dividers and an open top that prioritize safe head movement over maximum hay containment. For horse operations, the OTB8 is the right choice. For cattle operations focused on hay waste reduction, the Hayguard is the better option. Contact Purity Feed for help choosing the right feeder for your operation.

Where can I pick this up?
This feeder is available for local pickup at Purity Feed locations in Kamloops and Merritt, BC. Contact us to confirm availability before visiting.