I built a feeder to hold the round bales off the ground, and covered. Simple build, the base platform is about a foot off the ground. I bought a cradle type two spear attachment. So far, it has worked fine. I can back into the bale and lift it high enough to place the bale into the feeder.
This feeder I made has open sides, and there was at least 50% wasted hay on the ground. That wasn't the plan, so I cut up one of those 16 foot long fence panels in four pieces, welded closure pieces to make then whole. Mounted one on each side, two were left verticle, two were pivoted at the bottom so the tops would lean onto the bales. I put a bungee across the top to hold the moving pieces against the bale. This has worked great! The horses can get their noses through the panel squares, but there is hardly no waste on the ground.
These fence pieces probably aren't strong enough for long term, but I can make stronger pieces in time.
