Green hay

[Hutchlou]

New bales came at the w/e and on opening them we discovered that the hay was really green. None of the horses at the stables are very keen to eat it.

Is it ok for them to eat and will they eat it eventually? Or should the farmer be collecting and replacing it as it isn't suitable?

Thanks.

 

[Magicmillbrook]

When you say green do you mean damp or do you mean colour wise. I find hay that has been kept out of sunlight is often more green and my girls always prefer it. I would say so long as there is no mould/mildew and no weeds, stick with it. If they are hungry they will eat it in the end

 

[CBFan]

Hay will vary in colour depending on the type of grasses it is made from, how it has been stored, how old it is. It shouldn't cause them any harm to eat. the horses may be turning their noses up at it simply because it's different or it genuinely may not be nice. Ours don't like the organic hay our farmer grew this year. He likens it to eating wheatabix with no sugar after being used to sugar...

 

[JamesEarwaker]

It should be fine for feeding as long as the green isnt mould or damp, alot of horses are diffrent and more often or not they will turn their noses up to something that may smell or look diffrent.
Sometimes it can remain green when the grass hasnt had enough to dry when its been cut, then its been baled and barn stored in a stack so wont get any light, sometimes you can bale green bales and stack the worst of the bales at the front and if its a open sided barn the sun light will soon dry it out in the bale.

 

[Hutchlou]

Thanks for your replies. I think that it is hay that hasn't had a chance to dry out for very long. It isn't damp or mouldy and smells a bit herby compared to the drier hay we normally have. Most of the horses still won't eat it though - even those who are out and that have not had any hard feed.

Anyway, the nice farmer dropped a new bale for them to try and they have all tucked in as though it was their last ever meal!!

So not sure why they didn't like it? I would say that mine was just a fussy eater but then I have seen her devour dry thistles!!!