Bad quality hay - should I send it back?

[amanda1788]

Hi

Just wanted some advice I have a regular supply of hay, and the recent bale I got is very muvh like straw and my horse doesn't like it, he leaves loads of it and only eats some because its either that or go hungry. Is this just because of the time of year when hay is short? Or should I send it back and ask for another bale?

Thanks

 

[goneshowjumping]

my yard had some like this, it went straight back, not 1 horse on the yard would eat it, luckily the guy had another lot in a different barn which they are now eating!
i think the farmers are trying to palm off some of the stuff from years ago to be honest!

 

[exracerfan]

I think you will always get some hay that horses dont like. Sometimes its just the type of grass its made from, such as if the grass is very coarse when they hay is made it may taste sour. Its not always "bad" hay, but just hay that cattle will eat as they are not fussy.

Thats why you are as well to get new hay delivered while you still have some left which you know your horse will eat, so you can arrange a swop if you need to.

I also cannot believe that we have been supplied with decent hay at all when you consider how bad last summer was. Am amazed its not all bad hay.

 

[marmalade76]

You are lucky to have hay at all! It has been said on here that many suppliers have run out. Also, after two dreadful summers, good hay is hard to find.

It sounds like you have seed hay, most horses would rather eat meadow hay. You could have meadow hay that was baled on a particularly coarse patch, pasture varies.

As for farmers palming folks off with old hay, this is unlikely after the two wet summers. A lot of hay has been made late due to the weather, and this means that the grass was old before it was cut. Old grass looses its greeness and sweet smell.