Hay Shed

[Cuthbert&Dillon]

A lot of hay will be dustier at this time of year - it may be the end of last year's harvest which has been in storage. The older stuff should be fine - just keep shaking it outside.

This year's harvest is just becoming available around here - hay is better being kept for a few weeks before being fed to horses, so it has a knock on effect for all hay availability - as well as stock rotation being a consideration (ie using the older stuff up first).

Please can I ask why hay is better kept for a time before feeding to horses - and does this apply to rabbits?

 

[Shimmer]

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Please can I ask why hay is better kept for a time before feeding to horses - and does this apply to rabbits?

I've used bales fresh off the field before (often they are cheaper if you collect them before the farmer has gathered them in). All hay needs to be stored correctly to stop it spoiling - so in a cool, dark, airy place and off the floor (eg bales can be on a pallet) - basically, stop mould being allowed to develop in the hay.

I'm no horse expert, but horses are very expensive beasts when things go wrong, so feeding them anything that can upset their sensitive digestion is to be avoided. Fresh spring grass can be too 'rich' for horses. Freshly baled hay may have a higher moisture content and needs to be allowed to 'mature' / settle down before it is suitable for horses. They can also eat other forms of hay eg haylage or partially fermented hay that are totally unsuitable for rabbits.

 

[Cuthbert&Dillon]

Thank you Shimmer, that makes sense - you are a mine of information.