bounce
Well-Known Member
Is it just me or does anyone else have problems getting their horses to eat when changing to a new batch of hay.
I get in around 250 bales of hay each year for my two and it generally comes in two batches which is often from different fields, but same supplier. The first 100 they have scoffed at an alarming rate as it is fine meadow type hay and lovely and sweet. I'm now starting the other batch which to me looks a better type of hay, slightly more coarse, still good quality but not as green and sweet. Will they eat it, no, they are stamping their feet for the stuff that is just about to run out.
This happens everytime I have to start a new batch of hay. It drives me nuts as the pony will not eat the new stuff and as he is a prime candidate for ulcers I cannot afford to risk him standing in without eating all night, which he will do if I just give him the new batch of hay. I always start trying to mix it in with the last few bales of the other stuff but he will just leave it and only eat his preferred hay. My other horse I can put just a haynet of the new batch in for the night and although she will stand at her door for a while wanting the other hay she will eat what she is given eventually overnight.
I'm trying to steam the new batch of hay now to see if that will tempt them but with little success at the moment.
Anyone else have the same problem, and if so, how do you encourage them?
I get in around 250 bales of hay each year for my two and it generally comes in two batches which is often from different fields, but same supplier. The first 100 they have scoffed at an alarming rate as it is fine meadow type hay and lovely and sweet. I'm now starting the other batch which to me looks a better type of hay, slightly more coarse, still good quality but not as green and sweet. Will they eat it, no, they are stamping their feet for the stuff that is just about to run out.
This happens everytime I have to start a new batch of hay. It drives me nuts as the pony will not eat the new stuff and as he is a prime candidate for ulcers I cannot afford to risk him standing in without eating all night, which he will do if I just give him the new batch of hay. I always start trying to mix it in with the last few bales of the other stuff but he will just leave it and only eat his preferred hay. My other horse I can put just a haynet of the new batch in for the night and although she will stand at her door for a while wanting the other hay she will eat what she is given eventually overnight.
I'm trying to steam the new batch of hay now to see if that will tempt them but with little success at the moment.
Anyone else have the same problem, and if so, how do you encourage them?
