NL2015308B1

NL2015308B1 - Horse feeding device.

Info

Publication number: NL2015308B1
Application number: NL2015308A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Petrus Van De Kamer Johannes
Original assignee: Embedded Control B V
Priority date: 2015-08-17
Filing date: 2015-08-17
Publication date: 2017-03-07

Abstract

The present invention is in the field of a horse feeding device and a method of feeding a horse. The feeding device allows for a controlled and typically in time limited uptake of feed by a horse, taking into account the natural be- havior of the horse in this respect. It therewith reduces various physical disorders and improves mental well-being of the horse.

Description

Horse feeding device

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is in the field of a horse feeding device and a method of feeding a horse. The feeding device allows for a controlled and typically in time limited uptake of feed by a horse, taking into account the natural behavior of the horse in this respect. It therewith reduces various physical disorders and improves mental well-being of the horse .

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the wild, horses spent over 14 hours per day on grazing, typically relatively evenly spread over the whole day. Grazing typically continues during the night. Only for short periods of time the grazing stops, e.g. for short naps, relaxing or socializing with the other horses of the group.

The digestion system of a horse is adapted for a continuous flow of grass. The stomach of a mature horse has a capacity of approximately 8-15 liters and continuously produces acid to digest the grass. The acid is neutralized by salivary that is produced during the chewing of the grass, hence the more a horse chews, the more salivary is produced. This small volume of a horse's stomach, in combination with a rapid passage of food from the stomach, imply that horses should eat substantially continuously and slowly.

In captivity, the horse is typically allowed to graze in a meadow for a period of 6 hours during daytime. For the remaining 18 hours the horse is kept indoors; in some cases the horst is always kept indoors, such as during fall and winter time, to prevent damage to the meadow. When kept indoors, dried grass, also referred to as hay, is provided every 3 to 4 hours, typically when a horse owner is not sleeping; in such cases a horse is fed 4-6 times per day. It is noted that more typically a horse is fed 2-4 times a day. This results in a last feeding round late in the evening and a first feeding round early in the morning. The time between these two feeding rounds can easily exceed 7 hours. So a horse does not eat continuously and slowly in most cases, but intermittently and fast instead and also in too large quantities.

These long intermittent periods of not being able to consume grass cause digestion problems for horses. The stomach acid is continuously produced, if there is no grass in the stomach this will lead to stomach ulcers causing a serious irritation for the horse. If not treated it will result in condition loss and possibly even death. And further, if the feeding routine is not changed the ulcers will come back.

In the meadow a horse will cut of small pieces of the grass and make many chew movements producing a lot of salivary. The grass enters the stomach in a slow rate in combination with the salivary, the stomach acid is neutralized and the stomach content is slowly released to the intestines for further digestion. On the contrary, indoors dried grass is provided in relatively too large portions. The feeding rate is much higher than on the meadow since no cutting is required, less chewing motions are made and less salivary is produced.

As a result, the amount of grass and the ratio of grass versus salivary is not optimal. Most grass is not correctly digested causing intestines problems like colic. A second problem caused by the disruption in the normal feeding behavior of a horse is a mental disturbance. As indicated, a horse spends in nature over 14 hours on grazing. Indoors this is reduced to a total of 2 to 3 hours of eating dried grass. This disrupts the horse mental state, which may be compared with structurally decreasing the amount of sleep to two hours for a human being. As a result, the horse may develop a series of abnormal behaviors, such as shaking his head for an extended amount of time, walking in circles, bit-ing/kicking the walls, and deeply inhaling air while biting down of an object. A known technique to increase the time a horse needs to consume a specific amount of dried grass is to put steel bars on top of the dried grass. This will require the horse to pull the dried grass trough the bars using their lips and as a result slow down the amount of grass it consumes in a specific period of time. Another option is to place the dries grass inside a net and hang it from the ceiling. These so called 'slow feeders' do indeed slow down the feeding rate, but typically this means that the grass is still consumed in about twice the amount of time without such a feeder. This does not solve the problem that during the night as the horse does not have access to grass and stomach acid is produced or abnormal behavior is executed.

For better understanding some typical numbers are provided. An average horse requires 1 kg of dried grass per 100 kg body weight per day; hence for a 600 kg horse this means 6 kg of dried grass, so 1.5 kg of dried grass per feeding round when feeding 4 times per day. The 1.5 kg of dries grass is consumed in 30 to 45 minutes; when a slow feeder is used this can be extended to 1 to 1.5 hours. In total the 6 kg of grass is consumed in 2 to 3 hours, or likewise 4 to 6 hours using a slow feeder.

It is however preferred to slow this down further so that the 6 kg of dried grass is consumed over the full 14 hours, the time that is typically spent in nature for grazing. This can't be achieved using a slow feeder since the bars can't be placed closer to each other since at that moment the horse can no longer access the dried grass anymore. In other words, the amount of food provided per unit time in prior art devices is still too large.

Hence prior art feeding devices still cause physical and mental problems for horses.

It is an objective of the present invention to overcome disadvantages of the prior art feeding devices without jeopardizing functionality and advantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates in a first aspect to a feeding device according to claim 1, in a second aspect to a use thereof, and in a third aspect to reduce physical and mental problems for a horse .

This invention describes a system that can be filled with a large volume of dried grass (or other feeding material) that will be offered to the horse (or other animals) in configurable and relatively small doses. It comprises a container, at least one cover and a timer circuit. It is easy to operate, requires filling only now and then, can be placed in an individual stable box, is cost effective, simple, and supports production of salivary. As it is provided per individual box each horse experience comfort and reassurance. Each device can be optimized for a specific horse, the horse being the resident of the individual box, e.g. in terms of amount of food, timing, intervals, amount of food per interval, etc. It has been found that the horses show no abnormal behavior anymore, feel comfortable, show no physical disorders, or at least not due to improper food uptake.

For a horse the container typically holds enough feeding material for a day, so at least 6 kg of dried grass. Hence the container needs to be filled only once a day. Likewise larger containers may be provided; in such cases the containers need to be refilled even less often.

As previously stated, this 6 kg is normally consumed in 2 to 3 hours (4 to 6 in combination with bars). For the present invention the timer circuit may divide the daily feeding time over 24 hours and may open the at least one cover for a specific period time. When this time has passed, the cover is closed for a specific period of time (interval). A sum of open and closed time (cycle) is preferably kept small to prevent the production of stomach acid in an empty stomach. A good example is a cycle time of 30 minutes; in that case there are 48 cycles per day, which are equivalent to about 125 gr per dosage. When in an example taking a consumption time of 2 hours, such results in an open time of (2 * 60)/48 = 2.5 minutes and (30-2.5)=27.5 minutes closed time. In an alternative 5 minutes open time and 25 minutes closed time may be chosen, optionally in combination with bars.

By providing the dried grass in small doses, e.g. 50 gr-500 gr, preferably 100 gr-250 gr, such as 125-150 gr, the stomach continues to be filled and the stomach acid can't irritate the stomach. The horse will quickly recognize that the opening sound means access to dried grass and that dried grass is offered at regular intervals. It will wait for the container to open again reducing the chance of abnormal behavior. An optional combination with bars will increase the feeding time, with the result of even less time needed to spend waiting and further reducing the chance of abnormal behavior.

The holding container is typically a rectangular or square box; it can have any shape, e.g. in order to fit better in the environment of the animal. An example is a triangular shape that can be placed in the corner of the environment. The volume of the container should preferably hold at minimum the amount of feeding material for one day. Since the feeding time is restricted, it can also be increased to hold feeding material for several days. So in an example a volume is e.g. from approximately 50 dm3- 500 dm3, preferably 75 dm3- 250 dm3, more preferably 100 dm3- 200 dm3. Typical dimensions are a height of 2-7 dm, a length of 2-10 dm and a width of 2-10 dm (for a rectangular shaped container) . Therewith the present feeding device is relatively small and can be placed in individual stable boxes.

The present cover can be made in several ways as long as it provides a barrier between the animal and the feeding material. Examples are sliding covers, rolling covers, rotating covers, and iris shaped covers. The cover may be formed of one part, or may be made out of sub-parts. Also more than one cover may be provided, such as a cover located at a back side and at a front side of the container. The covers can be completely closed but also partly open allowing air to enter the container. Some type of covers are preferred in view of reduction of elements of the present device; for instance if an iris shaped cover is used a receptor may be left out.

The present timer, typically a timer circuit (IC), can be part of the feeding system and as a result control the position of the cover for one container or device. It can also be an external circuit that controls one or more containers, typically 2-50 containers, so that all containers open and close at the same point in time. This reduces costs and also prevent that a neighboring animal hears the sound of the cover being opened but can't access the feeding material in its own container possibly resulting in frustrated behavior. So typically each horse has its own feeding device.

In group environments a number of containers can be placed. In that case the feeding system may be extended with a sensor (e.g. RFID) to detect which animal approaches the container. The cycle time can then be adjusted depending how much time the animal has spent at a (specific) container; the time is assumed to represent an amount of food.

Thereby the present invention provides a solution to one or more of the above mentioned problems.

Advantages of the present description are detailed throughout the description.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates in a first aspect to a feeding device according to claim 1.

The present horse feeding device comprises a container for forage; the container may have any shape, such as rectangular, triangular, and multigonal, e.g. hexagonal. The height is typically 20-70 cm. The material of the container is preferably a metal, such as stainless steel or aluminium, or a plastic, typically a thermoset plastic.

The present device comprises at least one removable horizontal cover for covering at least partly at least a top side of the container. The at least one cover prevents horses from eating. The cover may be made of a metal, typically a metal sheet, or a plastic, having sufficient deformability and strength. In the present application the term "cover" also refers to "at least one cover".

The present device comprises a positioner for moving the cover between an open and closed position; in the closed position a horizontal covering is provided, whereas in the open position the forage is freely accessible for the horse.

The present device comprises an electrical controller, wherein the controller is in electrical contact with the positioner and capable of activating the positioner in order to open or close the container, i.e. allow or prevent access to the forage.

The present device comprises a timer which is capable of opening the cover for a predetermined period of time and closing during at least one predetermined interval. Such is e.g. explained above.

In an example the present feeding device further comprises at least one receptor for receiving the at least one cover, typically a separate space. The separate space is preferably not directly accessible from an outside, e.g. in view of safety. Typically one receptor per cover is provided. It is preferred to use one or two covers and equivalently one or two receptors .

In an example the present feeding device further comprises a grid. The grid limits or slows down uptake of food by a horse, which is considered beneficial for the well-being of a horse. The grid typically has bars placed at a distance of 5-10 cm from one and another, leaving an open space in between bars of 3-8 cm. Therewith a horse is stimulated to use its lips for up-taking food. It is also found to improve production of salivary and improve digestion of food.

In an example of the present feeding device the positioner is selected from an electrical motor, the motor being attached to the cover, an electrical winder, an electrical step-motor, etc. The motor or winder drives the cover from an open to a close position, and vice versa. In case of non-rectangular container shapes, the positioner may be provided with an adapted form, e.g. a conical shaped winding axis in case of a triangular container form, etc.

In an example of the present feeding device the cover is selected from a flexible material, such as a polymer sheet, from a shutter, a screen, a second grid having small openings, a sliding cover, a rolling cover, a rotating cover, etc.

In an example the present feeding device further comprises an intermediate wall between the receptor and container, the wall having an opening for receiving the cover. Therewith the forage and positioner, and likewise the cover in an open position, are largely separated from the forage, which is more hygienic and prevents accidents.

In an example the present feeding device further comprises a housing, the housing typically comprising all the elements of the present feeding device. In addition a control panel, a status indicator, or both may be provided, typically on an outside of the housing.

In an example of the present feeding device the timer and controller are integrated, or are separate entities capable of wireless contact with one and another. Especially with nowadays apps and rapid development thereof separate entities may be preferred. Effectively the present system can be controlled by a smart phone; likewise status information can be provided from the present device to the smartphone or the like .

In an example the present feeding device further comprises a detector, preferably a wireless detector, such as an RFID detector. The detector may detect an identity of an individual horse. Upon detection software may adapt an amount of forage, an interval time, a feeding time, or a combination thereof.

In a second aspect the present invention relates to a method of operating the present device, wherein the cover is opened during an opening period of 1-10 minutes, and thereafter is closed during an interval of 10-60 minutes.

In an example of the present method the intervals and openings are spread evenly over a day.

In an example of the present method the intervals and opening periods are continued for 18-23 hours, and wherein in between the device is closed for less than 1-6 hours.

In an example of the present method a sum of an opening period time and interval time is between 20-60 minutes.

By adapting open times, intervals, opening periods, and so on, an amount of food per unit time, a total amount of food, a total amount of rest, and so on, can be adjusted for each individual horse, therewith contributing to physical and mental well-being.

In an example of the present method the sum is kept constant within ±10 % relative.

In a third aspect the present invention relates to a use of the present method for reducing at least one of a gas-tro-enteric disorder, a digestion disorder, a stomach disorder, a mental disorder, etc. It has been found that the present device and method reduce physical complaints significantly (30-90% of instances) and improve behaviour and mental well-being (abnormal behaviour being observed only incidental- ly versus typically in prior art methods).

The invention is further detailed by the accompanying figures and examples, which are exemplary and explanatory of nature and are not limiting the scope of the invention. To the person skilled in the art it may be clear that many variants, being obvious or not, may be conceivable falling within the scope of protection, defined by the present claims.

The invention although described in detailed explanatory context may be best understood in conjunction with the accompanying examples and figures.

SUMMARY OF FIGURES

Fig. la-b show top and side views of the present feeding device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES In the figures: 100 feeding device 11 movable horizontal cover 21 forage 31 grid 41 container 51 motor 61 chain 71 motor/chain axis 72 chain axis 81 intermediate wall 82 opening 91 receptor

Fig. la shows a top view of an example of the present feeding device. Therein a container 41 for keeping forage 21 is shown. An optional grid 31 is provided above the forage. Also a cover 11 is shown, in a half open/half closed position. In a closed position the forage would be covered fully, whereas in an open position the forage would be fully available.

Fig. lb shows a side cross sectional view of an example of the present feeding device. In addition to fig. la a chain 61 is shown, moving around two axis 71,72. A motor 51 rotates the chain. The chain is attached to the cover 11. Also an internal wall 81 having an opening 82 for receiving the cover is shown.

It should be appreciated that for commercial application it may be preferable to use one or more variations of the present system, which would similar be to the ones disclosed in the present application and are within the spirit of the invention.

The following section is added to support searching of the prior art of the patent. 1. Horse feeding device (100) comprising a container (41) for forage (21), having a volume of 50 dm3- 500 dm3, at least one removable horizontal cover (11) for covering at least partly at least a top side of the container, a positioner (51) for moving the cover between an open and closed position, an electrical controller, wherein the controller is in electrical contact with the positioner and capable of activating the positioner, and a timer which is capable of opening the cover for a predetermined period of time and closing during at least one predetermined interval. 2. Feeding device according to claim 1, further comprising at least one receptor (91) for receiving the at least one cover. 3. Feeding device according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a grid (31) . 4. Feeding device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the positioner (51) is selected from an electrical motor, the motor being attached to the at least one cover, an electrical winder, and an electrical step-motor. 5. Feeding device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one cover (11) is selected from a flexible material, such as a polymer sheet, from a shutter, a screen, a second grid having small openings, a sliding cover, a rolling cover, a rotating cover, and an iris-shaped cover. 6. Feeding device according to any of the claims 2-5, further comprising an intermediate wall (81) between the receptor (91) and container (41), the wall having an opening (82) for receiving the at least one cover. 7. Feeding device according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a housing. 8. Feeding device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the timer and controller are integrated, or are separate entities capable of wireless contact with one and another . 9. Feeding device according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a detector, preferably a wireless detector, such as an RFID detector. 10. Method of operating a feeding device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one cover is opened during an opening period of 1-10 minutes, and thereafter is closed during an interval of 10-60 minutes. 11. Method according to claim 10, wherein the intervals and openings are spread evenly over a day. 12. Method according to any of claims 10-11, wherein the intervals and opening periods are continued for 18-23 hours, and wherein in between the device is closed for less than 1-6 hours. 13. Method according to any of claims 10-12, wherein a sum of an opening period time and interval time is between 20-60 minutes. 14. Method according to claim 13, wherein the sum is kept constant within ±10 % relative. 15. Use of a method according to any of claims 10-14 for reducing at least one of a gastro-enteric disorder, a digestion disorder, a stomach disorder, and a mental disorder.

Claims

1. Paardenvoerinrichting (100) omvattende een houder (41) voor voer (21), met een volume van 50 dm3- 50 0 dm3, ten minste één verwijderbare horizontale deksel (11) voor het althans gedeeltelijk bedekken van althans een bovenzijde van de houder, een verplaatser (51) voor het verplaatsen van de deksel tussen een open en gesloten stand, een elektrische besturing, waarbij de besturing in elektrisch contact met de verplaatser is en in staat de verplaatser te activeren, en een timer die in staat is de deksel gedurende een vooraf bepaalde tijdsperiode te openen en te sluiten gedurende ten minste een vooraf bepaald interval.A horse feeding device (100) comprising a holder (41) for feed (21), with a volume of 50 dm3 - 50 dm3, at least one removable horizontal cover (11) for at least partially covering at least an upper side of the holder , a mover (51) for moving the lid between an open and closed position, an electrical control, the control being in electrical contact with the mover and capable of activating the mover, and a timer capable of the lid Open and close for a predetermined period of time for at least a predetermined interval.

2. Voerinrichting volgens conclusie 1, verder omvattend ten minste één receptor (91) voor het opnemen van de ten minste ene deksel.The feeding device of claim 1, further comprising at least one receptor (91) for receiving the at least one lid.

3. Voerinrichting volgens een der voorgaande conclusies, verder omvattende een rooster (31) .Feeding device according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a grid (31).

4. Voerinrichting volgens een der voorgaande conclusies, waarbij de verplaatser (51) is gekozen uit een elektrische motor, waarbij de motor aan de ten minste ene deksel is bevestigd, een elektrische spoel, en een elektrische stappen-motor.Feeding device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the displacer (51) is selected from an electric motor, the motor being attached to the at least one cover, an electric coil, and an electric stepper motor.

5. Voerinrichting volgens een der voorgaande conclusies, waarbij de ten minste ene deksel (11) is gekozen uit een flexibel materiaal, zoals een polymeerfolie, uit een afsluiter, een scherm, een tweede rooster met kleine openingen, een glijdend deksel, een rollend deksel, een draaiend deksel, en een iris-vormige deksel.Feeding device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one cover (11) is selected from a flexible material, such as a polymer foil, from a valve, a screen, a second grid with small openings, a sliding cover, a rolling cover , a rotating lid, and an iris-shaped lid.

6. Voerinrichting volgens een der conclusies 2-5, verder omvattende een tussenwand (81) tussen de receptor (91) en houder (41), waarbij de wand een opening (82) voor het opnemen van de ten minste ene deksel heeft.A feeding device according to any of claims 2-5, further comprising an intermediate wall (81) between the receptor (91) and container (41), wherein the wall has an opening (82) for receiving the at least one cover.

7. Voerinrichting volgens een der voorgaande conclusies, verder omvattende een behuizing.7. Feeding device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, further comprising a housing.

8. Voerinrichting volgens een der voorgaande conclu- sies, waarbij de timer en controller zijn geïntegreerd, of afzonderlijke eenheden zijn in staat tot draadloos contact met een en ander.8. Feeding device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the timer and controller are integrated, or individual units are capable of wireless contact with all of this.

9. Voerinrichting volgens een der voorgaande conclusies, verder omvattende een detector, bij voorkeur een draadloze detector, zoals een RFID detector.A feeding device according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a detector, preferably a wireless detector, such as an RFID detector.

10. Werkwijze voor het bedrijven van een toevoerin-richting volgens één van de voorgaande conclusies, waarbij de ten minste ene deksel wordt geopend gedurende een openingspe-riode van 1-10 minuten en daarna wordt gesloten gedurende een interval van 10-60 minuten.A method of operating a feeder according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one lid is opened for an opening period of 1-10 minutes and then closed for an interval of 10-60 minutes.

11. Werkwijze volgens conclusie 10, waarbij de intervallen en openingen gelijkmatig worden verdeeld over een dag.The method of claim 10, wherein the intervals and openings are evenly distributed over a day.

12. Werkwijze volgens één van de conclusies 10-11, waarbij de intervallen en openingsperioden worden voortgezet gedurende 18-23 uur, en waarbij tussen de inrichting gesloten is gedurende minder dan 1-6 uur.The method of any one of claims 10-11, wherein the intervals and opening periods are continued for 18-23 hours, and wherein the device is closed for less than 1-6 hours.

13. Werkwijze volgens één van de conclusies 10-12, waarbij een som van een openingsperiode tijd en interval is tussen 20-60 minuten.The method of any one of claims 10-12, wherein a sum of an opening period is time and interval between 20-60 minutes.

14. Werkwijze volgens conclusie 13, waarbij de som constant wordt gehouden binnen ± 10% relatief.The method of claim 13, wherein the sum is kept constant within ± 10% relative.

15. Toepassing van een werkwijze volgens één van de conclusies 10-14 voor het verminderen van ten minste één van een gastro-enterische stoornis, een verteringsstoornis, een maagstoornis, en een mentale stoornis.Use of a method according to any of claims 10-14 for reducing at least one of a gastroenteric disorder, a digestive disorder, a stomach disorder, and a mental disorder.