HAY

[itsu]

this is a quick question can you feed hay that has just been cut and bailed this week? My horse has had a bad accident and is on box rest with no movement and i only have hay that has just been cut

 

[kcgibson]

i though you had to wait, not sure why or if im correct, i just had the feeling your meant to wait. I thought that if its still damp then its more like silage (sp) and i wasnt sure thats a good thing. Still, im not sure so see what everyone else says!

 

[merlinsquest]

Think it would be too rich, especially if horse on box rest. You really want old stuff!!

 

[Hornby]

Yes, I thought you had to wait 6 weeks....can you get some from a feed merchant or buy horsehage or similar? Certainly wouldn't give it to one of mine...if all else fails you can feed HiFi as a hay replacer (although it won't be cheap)

 

[Tia]

You can feed hay the moment it is baled. You don't get an inbetween; it is either growing grass or it is dried, baled and becomes hay and can be fed right away.

New hay will be far higher in nutrients than old hay though so you want to make sure that your horse isn't buzzing on it.

 

[ISHmad]

You could always soak the hay for a few hours to leach out some of the sugars and proteins.

 

[Happytohack]

As a rule of thumb, it should be baled and stacked for at least 6 weeks before feeding.