Hay or Haylage - advice needed

[Switchthehorse]

Hi

Hope you can all give me advice

Just moved to new yard where i have choice of hay or haylage.

Horse always been on hay, good doer, lives on fresh air, previously given some morning and evening. Hoovers it up.

Now at new yard where i can give as much or as little hay or haylage as i want. She absolutely LOVES haylage and i have been giving her small quantity mixed with her hay.

She used to cough a little when starting riding, but no more, could be to do with new yard and better ventilation, could be she is now on DIY and i have control over wetting her hay, could be random freak of nature.

Has no previous history of COPD etc but has history of getting FAT

As an overindulgent mother i am tempted to move her to haylage as she loves it, given concerns over hay availability wonder whether it could work out as saving in coming months and basically tempted to give it to her just because it is available!!

Any thoughts? Is either better for them? i know i should know all this but been a few years since i had to make this sort of decision i know you feed less haylage - should i aim for a LOT less? She is fed in a small hole haynet anyway

So many questions i realise - just interested in feedback!

thanks!

 

[charmeroo]

The main thing to remember is that haylage is usually higher in protein so if your horse is prone to weight gain, unless you are able to up the exercise, then hay might be better. Having said that, if your horse has been coughing then the haylage, if it's decent quality, will be less dusty than hay. Also - you might want to consider which is going to be the most easily obtainable during the winter.