Horse not eating Hay

[samleigh]

Hi all, bit worried about upsetting new YO, moved my horse 2wks ago and he just refuses to eat the hay, it is coarse and old and doesn't smell particularly sweet. I have spoken to them about it and the new hay is coming in a few weeks but until then I have ordered him a round bale of hay of a friend, I have told them I planned to do this, my friend kindly gave me some so I know he likes it..I'm just hoping I don't offend them as other wise I really like the yard.

 

[Hungey]

Hi all, bit worried about upsetting new YO, moved my horse 2wks ago and he just refuses to eat the hay, it is coarse and old and doesn't smell particularly sweet. I have spoken to them about it and the new hay is coming in a few weeks but until then I have ordered him a round bale of hay of a friend, I have told them I planned to do this, my friend kindly gave me some so I know he likes it..I'm just hoping I don't offend them as other wise I really like the yard.

My hay was the same and my boy really didn't like it. I just soaked it and then let it dry out so it didn't drip in the stable and he loved it! I now constantly soak it so try that.

 

[LaurenBay]

If your YO was a good kind then they will understand the importance of forage to Horses and not take it personal that yours won't eat their hay.

Mine is a fussy hay eater too, Never had a prob with YO's if I needed to source my own. We had 3 different types of hay delieverd once to my old yard and my Horse refused all 3 had to walk her round the bales and see which she liked best in the end.

My yard now has the big bales, at £40 each I wasn't prepared to buy it to risk her not eating it. YO was really good about it and gave me a section of hers as a tester. She liked it and still on my big bale now

 

[samleigh]

Thanks folks, done the soaking, turned his nose up at it too. I worry far more about him than my 2 teenage boys, who by the way eat anything LOL

 

[Waffles]

Is your horse turned out as well? Just thinking that if there is good grazing at some point during the day, lots of horses will turn their nose up at hay this time of year if they get turn out at all.

 

[SuperH]

Mine are currently on a rather poor bale from the back of the stack. They are out at night and in during the day, they usually hoover hay up but this bale is taking them longer to get though. The grass is finally starting to grow here and combined with this 'poorer' bale they just aren't that interested in the hay at the moment. How much grass is yours eating?