Can bad hay cause Respiratory issues?

Wildforestpony18

Wildforestpony18

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The hay at our yard was cut late and very long because of the rain last year. and now it always seems mouldy and very dusty, have tried soaking it as she was coughing. Rode today for the first time in 2-3 weeks, because of the snow, and she seemed to be struggling and sneezing alot. Going to try haylage now but can mouldy hay cause respiratory problems? A little worried is all, but we shall see how the haylage goes! :)
 
Absolutely it can - the dust can irritate but more dangerous are the mould spores, which can lead to COPD, a lifelong unsoundness. I would only ever feed hay like that in the field where rain will dampen the spores and the horses can pick it over and leave what is bad. If that is what you are being supplied on your yard you need to have a word - other horses will be being affected too.
 
JillA said:
Absolutely it can - the dust can irritate but more dangerous are the mould spores, which can lead to COPD, a lifelong unsoundness. I would only ever feed hay like that in the field where rain will dampen the spores and the horses can pick it over and leave what is bad. If that is what you are being supplied on your yard you need to have a word - other horses will be being affected too.
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Thank you for your reply, YO response is 'Well, just soak it, others are fine' :mad: will stop feeding it and hope it hasn't done any damage, she wasnt unrideable, and i think some of it was her being slightly stiff from so much time off, she always leaves parts of her hay and it was soaked. Haylage it is from now on i think!
 
Yes! We had a couple of months about 15 years ago when ended up with some bad hay and one of the ponies developed a mould allergy from it and has had COPD ever since.
 
Mouldy and dusty hay is bad news for horses because the dust it generates is classified as a micro-dust. The body is unable to filter out micro-dust which then gains access to the linings of the lungs and causing irreversible damage.

This is why it is so important to always soak hay in fresh water for at least 20 minutes and also to always feed hay from the ground so that the horses sinu's may drain while eating.

Be careful when feeding haylage as it has a far higher concentration of nutrition and has been sited as causing Laminitis.

If your horse has a cough it is essential to completely remove all dust from your horses stable walls, rafters roof etc and that of adjoining stables so as to keep the dust levels to a minimum.

Micro-dust has very little density and therefore remains floating in the air for long periods of time before settling so remove as much dust from your horses enviroment as you possible can.
 
OWLIE185 said:
Mouldy and dusty hay is bad news for horses because the dust it generates is classified as a micro-dust. The body is unable to filter out micro-dust which then gains access to the linings of the lungs and causing irreversible damage.

This is why it is so important to always soak hay in fresh water for at least 20 minutes and also to always feed hay from the ground so that the horses sinu's may drain while eating.

Be careful when feeding haylage as it has a far higher concentration of nutrition and has been sited as causing Laminitis.

If your horse has a cough it is essential to completely remove all dust from your horses stable walls, rafters roof etc and that of adjoining stables so as to keep the dust levels to a minimum.

Micro-dust has very little density and therefore remains floating in the air for long periods of time before settling so remove as much dust from your horses enviroment as you possible can.
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Thank you for your detailed reply, i will feed haylage from the floor and we have bought a haylage for leisure horses not performance, so hopefully laminitus wont be a problem, she is worked every day aswell
 
Our farmer had a horrific cut of hay and charged ridiculous money for it. Even when it had been soaked for 12 hours to go in the fatty paddock for my lami pony, he would cough. Despite the yard rule of not being allowed to buy hay in, i buy decent stuff for half the price and neither of my cacky lunged ponies have coughed. Only one livery buys the farmers hay now and her horse has a horrific cough, not helped by feeding dusty mouldy hay up in a hay rack.
 
Poor quality hay is infamous for inducing respiratory issues. The organic dust components will contain mould and endotoxins such as lipopolysaccharide which cause airway inflammation, excess mucus and coughing. It’s the combination of mould and LPS, rather than just mould that does damage. It can lead to recurrent airway obstruction (the term has replaced COPD), but on the whole irreversible damage takes a while to happen. I would think the worst that has happened is you may have increased your horses sensitivity to dust, so you might have to be a bit careful with bedding/feed etc for a bit
 
Just a question from across the pond that could be a difference of terms used or how the hay is baled...but here..haylage or silage is mostly cattle feed as the hay is not cured the same as rounds/small or large squares for horses

Haylage is hay that has had too many rains or is baled off of a sweating ground....silage is baled wet.

is this the same...if not what is the differences please.
 
nieghham said:
Just a question from across the pond that could be a difference of terms used or how the hay is baled...but here..haylage or silage is mostly cattle feed as the hay is not cured the same as rounds/small or large squares for horses

Haylage is hay that has had too many rains or is baled off of a sweating ground....silage is baled wet.

is this the same...if not what is the differences please.
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No haylage is semi wilted grass which is then wrapped its usually a premium product fed mainly because it's very very low in spores and dust .
 
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