Hay vs haylage

[abbijay]

This winter I will not be on full/part livery for the first time and will be managing my own horses , this is beyond exciting but also comes with a multitude of questions. So I'm starting with the forage one.
The horses are 2 clydesdales, one oldie and one in his prime, not expecting either to be in a huge amount of work this year. We have approx 9 acres of grazing land split between 3 fields with excellent natural shelter and a smaller paddock, the plan is that they will live out 24/7/365 although I have stables if I need them. Most of the land has been horse grazing for a long time, hasn't been grazed in a year but did have hay cut from it in early summer, one field is rye grass which looks fairly recently reseeded - hoping not to need this field this winter if at all possible. Currently there is a lot of grass to go at.
I've always been on haylage (yard only option) but i'm wondering if hay may be a better option as i don't need to worry about using it up once opened - although big they are only 2 and should still have grass - and won't have to dispose of the wrapping. I have plenty of storage for small bales but will struggle to get large bales through the door so haylage may have to stay outside with just an open bale covered.
Pros and cons of both gratefully received.

 

[gallopingby]

You might find small bales of hay difficult to get hold of. Some suppliers are now wrapping big bales of hay so this could be an option.

 

[Abacus]

For me it just depends on the horse and what suits it best. If they are good doers or prone to fizziness then I would err towards hay, and it helps that it is more convenient. I still prefer small bales - can't stand wrestling with big slices. If they are not in heavy work I would again think that hay would be enough. Maybe start with hay given the good grass you still have, but keep an eye on condition.

 

[Hackback]

I assume you will be feeding in the field so hay is probably a better option - I find uneaten haylage is a pain to scrape up and get rid of.

Just as gallopingby says, I have had problems trying to get hold of decent small bale hay. Not many farmers round here do the small bales and I haven't managed to find any of a consistent quality, so I've ended up on wrapped small bag haylage for my 2, who are in overnight with a net.

I have got some hay in for winter feeding in the field though, it seems ok but can't tell until their majesties taste it. I am considering getting large round bales delivered straight into the winter paddock shelter as and when needed, but if yours will still have grass they won't need that much (although I have no idea how much hay 2 Clydesdales get through!)

 

[sportsmansB]

I use small bales of haylage for my two who are out 24/7 in the winter, I just give them a net night and morning in their shelter (one is small). I don't feel like I need to give them enough to keep their systems moving or to keep them interested if they are standing as they can move whenever- as they do have grass to pick on, its more for the goodness to keep them in condition when grass is poor. I find the small bales more manageable to handle on my own and I can pick up 3-4 at a time with the car if needs be too. 2 wee bales does me a week, for 2 gig ones would prob be 3 a week. Feeding it in the shelter means I don't worry about mess from it on the field. They are larger than the Horsehage type bales, more like a 'mini big bale' if that makes sense
If your fields are lush you'll prob find that keeps them going well through to end Dec.

 

[Surbie]

Depends where you are, but there is no shortage of small bale hay where I am. There are a fair few livery yards in my area and it makes sense to make small bales for that market.

I do wish I could get timothy hay, but have to buy through the yard - who have, however, been brilliant in catering for my slightly fussy cob.

 

[Jenko109]

I much prefer haylage for me, because my body hates the dust.

For your horses though, I think hay would be the better option.

 

[Ossy2]

Is this field at your own place or on a livery yard? Sorry if confused I thought you’d mentioned a move before but to another livery? If on livery they might still have a preference to what you can feed in field?
If on own land and have choice I’d prefer to feed hayledge. I tend to find less wastage of hayledge and doesn’t soil as bad in wet weather.

 

[Tarragon]

I would go for the convenience of small bale hay if you can (a) get it and (b) store it properly. With that amount of acreage for just two (though BIG!) horses, you may find you are just using hay for when yo bring in to tack up or keep in for farrier etc. You will not have to worry about it going off.

 

[abbijay]

Is this field at your own place or on a livery yard? Sorry if confused I thought you’d mentioned a move before but to another livery? If on livery they might still have a preference to what you can feed in field?
If on own land and have choice I’d prefer to feed hayledge. I tend to find less wastage of hayledge and doesn’t soil as bad in wet weather.

Good memory! We were served notice at our livery yard of many years back in April so I moved to another yard but we are buying our own place so I have free rein!

Lots of people have mentioned it being hard to get small bale hay but I'm pretty sure I've got a supplier.
Lots of useful things to consider in this thread. Thank you!

 

[94lunagem]

Small hay bales sound like the most convenient option for you and would also suit best with your horses and routine. Mine live out 24/7/365 unless it is particularly horrific, and I top up and feed hay in the field if necessary or during the worst of the cold. Usually that isn't until well into the winter as, like you, I have a decent acreage with good grass that I can rest and save for winter. (I actually feed more hay through the summer with one on restricted grass!).

I find small bales easiest to store and move about, and it's easier to get up out of the fields if needed. You can put out smaller quantities and less therefore gets trampled and wasted.

I always get my hay from the same farmer and while his preference is to make big bales, there are a couple of his customers who prefer small bales (myself included) and if we contact him early in the year giving an idea how many we want, he'll bale for us accordingly. I appreciate this only works if you buy in once a year like myself, not if you have limited storage to only buy in a few at a time.

 

[Ossy2]

Good memory! We were served notice at our livery yard of many years back in April so I moved to another yard but we are buying our own place so I have free rein!

Lots of people have mentioned it being hard to get small bale hay but I'm pretty sure I've got a supplier.
Lots of useful things to consider in this thread. Thank you!

Ah amazing, very exciting, wishing you best of good luck.

 

[abbijay]

Ah amazing, very exciting, wishing you best of good luck.

Thank you very much! It's an absolute dream come true.

 

[Ossy2]

Thank you very much! It's an absolute dream come true.

And obviously we will be expecting photos