iFEED Automatic Horse Feeder System
The iFEED Automatic Horse Feeder System earns a best-in-class spot for metered barn storage by combining high-precision portion control with modular scalability, making it well suited for large operations that need consistent dosing across many stalls. Compared with the SmartPak and Feedmaster units, iFEED emphasizes low per-stall operating cost and advanced sensor-driven dispensing to reduce overfeeding and waste, while offering a more modern automation stack than the low-tech slow-feeder option from HayGain.
App-controlled magic
Portion-perfect drops
App-controlled magic
Portion-perfect drops
Review Summary
"Users report the iFEED is highly programmable and accurate at portioning with sturdy construction; some note occasional jamming and a premium price point."
Barnproof ruggedness
Programmable multi-meal timer with per-portion control for accurate rationing
Barnproof ruggedness
Programmable multi-meal timer with per-portion control for accurate rationing
Time-Saving Convenience
Increased Safety & Security
The iFEED Automatic Horse Feeder System earns a best-in-class spot for metered barn storage by combining high-precision portion control with modular scalability, making it well suited for large operations that need consistent dosing across many stalls. Compared with the SmartPak and Feedmaster units, iFEED emphasizes low per-stall operating cost and advanced sensor-driven dispensing to reduce overfeeding and waste, while offering a more modern automation stack than the low-tech slow-feeder option from HayGain.
App-controlled magic
Portion-perfect drops
Barnproof ruggedness
Programmable multi-meal timer with per-portion control for accurate rationing
Robust hopper and auger design handles pelleted and loose feeds consistently
App-controlled magic
Portion-perfect drops
Barnproof ruggedness
Programmable multi-meal timer with per-portion control for accurate rationing
Robust hopper and auger design handles pelleted and loose feeds consistently
$1,200-2,500 USD
SmartPak AutoFeeder Pro
SmartPak AutoFeeder Pro is the market leader thanks to SmartPak’s strong equine-focused service and user-friendly scheduling app that integrates well into standard barn management workflows. It trades some industrial toughness for broader support and inventory options versus Feedmaster, and it outpaces HayGain on automation and timing granularity while remaining competitively priced for mid-size facilities.
Dual-schedule genius
Pellet-perfect portion
Dual-schedule genius
Pellet-perfect portion
Review Summary
"Customers praise the SmartPak AutoFeeder Pro for reliable scheduling, easy setup, and strong customer support; a few mention hopper clogs with damp feed and that it is costly."
Quiet motor hum
Connects to a companion app for scheduling, monitoring and feed alerts
Quiet motor hum
Connects to a companion app for scheduling, monitoring and feed alerts
Time-Saving Convenience
Increased Safety & Security
SmartPak AutoFeeder Pro is the market leader thanks to SmartPak’s strong equine-focused service and user-friendly scheduling app that integrates well into standard barn management workflows. It trades some industrial toughness for broader support and inventory options versus Feedmaster, and it outpaces HayGain on automation and timing granularity while remaining competitively priced for mid-size facilities.
Dual-schedule genius
Pellet-perfect portion
Quiet motor hum
Connects to a companion app for scheduling, monitoring and feed alerts
Modular hopper design supports multiple feed types and easy refills
Dual-schedule genius
Pellet-perfect portion
Quiet motor hum
Connects to a companion app for scheduling, monitoring and feed alerts
Modular hopper design supports multiple feed types and easy refills
$900-1,600 USD
Feedmaster Automatic Horse Feeder
The Feedmaster Automatic Horse Feeder is positioned as the rugged, cost-efficient choice for rural or heavy-use barns, offering simple mechanical reliability and lower upfront cost relative to tech-heavy competitors like iFEED and SmartPak. It compares favorably on durability and ease of repair in remote settings, though it sacrifices some of the precision dosing and cloud features those other systems provide.
Heavy-duty reliability
Large-hopper capacity
Heavy-duty reliability
Large-hopper capacity
Review Summary
"Feedmaster is valued for its heavy-duty build and large capacity, though older units can experience motor or timer failures and installation can be fiddly."
Weekend-proof autonomy
Commercial-grade stainless construction built for high-use barn environments
Weekend-proof autonomy
Commercial-grade stainless construction built for high-use barn environments
Time-Saving Convenience
Increased Safety & Security
The Feedmaster Automatic Horse Feeder is positioned as the rugged, cost-efficient choice for rural or heavy-use barns, offering simple mechanical reliability and lower upfront cost relative to tech-heavy competitors like iFEED and SmartPak. It compares favorably on durability and ease of repair in remote settings, though it sacrifices some of the precision dosing and cloud features those other systems provide.
Heavy-duty reliability
Large-hopper capacity
Weekend-proof autonomy
Commercial-grade stainless construction built for high-use barn environments
Large-capacity hopper paired with an accurate metered auger for consistent dosing
Heavy-duty reliability
Large-hopper capacity
Weekend-proof autonomy
Commercial-grade stainless construction built for high-use barn environments
Large-capacity hopper paired with an accurate metered auger for consistent dosing
$1,000-2,000 USD
HayGain Forager Slow Feeder
HayGain’s Forager Slow Feeder is a specialized, low-tech solution that excels at reducing waste and extending forage time, making it an economical complement to metered dispensers for bedding and roughage storage. While it doesn’t provide the timed, measured portions of the automated systems, it lowers overall feed costs by minimizing spoilage and can be paired with a metered dry-feed unit to deliver a full barn feeding strategy.
Nibble-not-gorge
Waste-reducing design
Nibble-not-gorge
Waste-reducing design
Review Summary
"Owners say the HayGain Forager slow feeder effectively reduces intake rate and waste, with only minor complaints about net wear and the higher price."
Dental-friendly munching
Flexible mesh/forage design slows intake and encourages natural grazing behavior
Dental-friendly munching
Flexible mesh/forage design slows intake and encourages natural grazing behavior
Recreational Enjoyment
Increased Safety & Security
HayGain’s Forager Slow Feeder is a specialized, low-tech solution that excels at reducing waste and extending forage time, making it an economical complement to metered dispensers for bedding and roughage storage. While it doesn’t provide the timed, measured portions of the automated systems, it lowers overall feed costs by minimizing spoilage and can be paired with a metered dry-feed unit to deliver a full barn feeding strategy.
Nibble-not-gorge
Waste-reducing design
Dental-friendly munching
Flexible mesh/forage design slows intake and encourages natural grazing behavior
Durable, lightweight polymer construction suitable for stall or turnout use
Nibble-not-gorge
Waste-reducing design
Dental-friendly munching
Flexible mesh/forage design slows intake and encourages natural grazing behavior
Durable, lightweight polymer construction suitable for stall or turnout use
$250-450 USD
Nelson Automatic Horse Waterer with Feed Timer
Nelson’s Automatic Horse Waterer with Feed Timer is notable for integrating hydration management with timed feed release, a unique technical advantage that helps synchronize water intake with meal schedules to support digestive health. It provides a labor-saving pairing option for barns that want combined systems and compares well financially when replacing separate waterers and dispensers, though specialized feeders like iFEED still offer finer portion control.
Sip-and-schedule
Frost-fighter build
Sip-and-schedule
Frost-fighter build
Review Summary
"Nelson automatic waterers are praised for durable construction, reliable refilling, and ease of cleaning, but some buyers report installation complexity and occasional fittings leaks."
Timer-sync harmony
Integrated automatic waterer paired with a programmable feed-timer to coordinate hydration and feeding
Timer-sync harmony
Integrated automatic waterer paired with a programmable feed-timer to coordinate hydration and feeding
Time-Saving Convenience
Increased Safety & Security
Nelson’s Automatic Horse Waterer with Feed Timer is notable for integrating hydration management with timed feed release, a unique technical advantage that helps synchronize water intake with meal schedules to support digestive health. It provides a labor-saving pairing option for barns that want combined systems and compares well financially when replacing separate waterers and dispensers, though specialized feeders like iFEED still offer finer portion control.
Sip-and-schedule
Frost-fighter build
Timer-sync harmony
Integrated automatic waterer paired with a programmable feed-timer to coordinate hydration and feeding
Heavy-duty brass valve and frost-resistant options for cold-climate reliability
Sip-and-schedule
Frost-fighter build
Timer-sync harmony
Integrated automatic waterer paired with a programmable feed-timer to coordinate hydration and feeding
Heavy-duty brass valve and frost-resistant options for cold-climate reliability
$600-1,300 USD