Hay or haylage, and how much?

[_jetset_]

I have noticed that I feed quite a bit more haylage than many people, both at my old yard and my current one. We have to weigh to pay (te he), therefore I know exactly how much they get.

In Summer, Han and Grace get:
2kg each in the morning while I ride, muck out, etc.
6kg each at night which is completely gone in the morning

In winter, Han and Grace get:
2kg each in the morning while I ride, muck out, etc.
6kg each as I leave at 9.15am
6kg each at night

Troy has been getting a 5kg net at night which he is finishing and 1kg while I muck out and ride...

Am I giving them all too much haylage?

 

[K27]

I don't think so- I've always been told that you have to feed more haylage than hay anyway as it has more water content than hay- I prefer my horses esp in the winter months to have too much haylage than not enough and feed them pretty much ad-lib. Your horse will tell you by their body condition if they are eating too much or not enough haylage.

 

[SpottedCat]

I feed ad lib when the horse is in - better to give forage than hard feed IMO, and if they aren't getting fat on ad lib then that's what I'd always choose to feed.

 

[TGM]

The guide to whether you are feeding too much is in your horses' condition! If they are too fat, then you need to cut down, although best to reduce hard feed before you reduce forage such as haylage.

 

[miller]

Doesn't sound too much to me, ours get a large net with around 4kg when they come in (6pm ish) and then another net at 10 - 10:30 of around 8kg for overnight, OH's mare has always eaten up (but she would if you gave her the whole 300kg bale), my gelding always has a bit left in the bottom - both in good condition and both 16.2ish

 

[Amelia27]

mine always have adlib hay and haylage (I feed a mixture of both to give them some variety). I always like them to have a bit left over so I know they have had enough.