Feeding hay/haylage... So much grass!

[Roanioponio]

I'm on month 6 of having my new field, I'm guessing it's about 1.5 acres. I have a horse and a small pony, and I have never ending grass, had to strip graze but it still grows back at a faster pace than they can eat! I probably have until mid December until I will start feeding hay and half the field so one end can grow back for summer. How much hay or haylage should I put down in the winter months when they'd still have quite a bit of grass to eat, they are both very good doers and I was thinking of Timothy horsehage double netted in their shelter instead, as I wasn't too sure if the grass loses its nutritional value over winter?? They have a handful of molasses free chaff that just gets upped if needed, full of energy as they are on the grass! Thank you !

 

[Magicmadge]

Be guided by them if they are hanging round gate / shelter give them a net each morning and evening see if they eat up. Mine won't bother much with hay if there is good grass. Grass does lose some of its nutritional value over winter. Keep an eye on their condition. I like mine to drop a bit over winter and not go in to spring fat with good grass ahead.

 

[Shay]

Absolutely right. They would naturally bulk up a little at this time of year and loose that condition over the winter. You may find that you have enough grass not to have to supplement at all. Although that does also depend on the weather! Just keep an eye on how they behave and their condition and respond accordingly.

 

[lizziebell]

It may surprise you how quickly your grass condition can deteriorate once the weather turns. They'll eat a lot more once it gets colder, at which point the grass would have stopped growing and any current grass will have lost most of its nutritional value. Also take into account your soil/ drainage and how much area of grass will turn to mud once the deluge of rain hits the uk. I'd be very surprised if 1.5acres gets you to mid-December without supplementing with hay.

 

[smellsofhorse]

Could you let the grass grow long now restricting their grass now.
Then let them eat the long grass over the winter?
Isn't it like standing hay?