The Man Behind the Innovation

Rory Connaughton, CEO, Pacefeeder

Pacefeeder is an innovative new horse feeding box designed and manufactured in Wicklow. The Pacefeeder  facilitates “slow hay feeding” by horses, addressing horse welfare issues such as boredom, ulcers and regular food intake. It also reduces trampling and soiling of good fodder.

According to Rory Connaughton, proprietor  of Pacefeeder, “The Pacefeeder is a straightforward and innovative answer to feeding hay to your horse. The heavy duty plastic box, no bigger than a bale of hay, sits neatly in the corner of  your  stable and works by mimicking the natural grazing behaviour of your horse. Customers have reported savings of over 20% in hay costs due to little or no waste.” In addition, it also address  some horse welfare issues  – health and behavour.

“Developing Pacefeeder was the result of my passion for business and horses – I am the owner of a small manufacturing company for 40 years and  an ex-board member of my Local Enterprise Society and a keen leisure horse rider.”  

“The prototype ‘slow hay feeder’ Pacefeeder was a combination of products that were readily available. When the initial version received positive reaction at trade shows, I fully developed the design, trialled it and brought it to market. This ‘registered design’ Pacefeeder was further enhanced by a process of ‘continuous improvement’ and is currently manufactured in line with ISO standards.”

“Since its launch at the RDS Dublin Horse Show in 2015, it has proven to be very popular in Ireland and the UK. A number of buyers have placed repeat order for additional units. One installation in France amounted to 40 units. Pacefeeders are also used by some ‘horse rescue’ organisations both in Ireland and in the UK.”

This year, Pacefeeder has featured at the Royal Dublin Society Horse Show, National Ploughing Championships and an International Equine Fair in Dubai.”

The Pacefeeder can be purchased online (at www.pacefeeder.ie) and is available in two sizes to accommodate both ponies and horses.  The product is easy to fit and simple to operate.  Orders are shipped door to door by a national carrier to anywhere in Ireland and the UK.   

For more information see www.pacefeeder.ie.