Horses not eating much hay?

[spotty_pony2]

No reason for it but both the geldings are suddenly eating less hay than they have been. It’s all good hay, homegrown. The only thing that’s different is I’ve been giving them slightly more in their morning feeds but not loads and they aren’t even getting evening feeds yet). They might just have more grass than I think - I’m strip grazing it and only have about 1/4 of a field to go but they have a good acre each and it still looks quite green but is short where it is grazed and I can’t think there’s much goodness in it. The mare eats all of hers so it’s not the hay that’s the issue. I put it in the field shelter so it’s no problem as it doesn’t get wasted and ruined. - my old boy is sulking I think because he went under the electric fence a few days ago and stuffed himself on the long grass. I’ve lowered the fence so he can do it now but I move the posts almost everyday.

Anyone else or just mine?

 

[Dave's Mam]

Dave's loving hay and not his dinner at the moment.

 

[Chonkers]

Mine continues to do an admirable impression of an industrial hoover.
Maybe they are nibbling on any hedges or over/under the electric?

 

[spotty_pony2]

Mine continues to do an admirable impression of an industrial hoover.
Maybe they are nibbling on any hedges or over/under the electric?

We do have hedges too and yes they do lean over it, not a problem as long as they don’t pull it all down. They are good doers too so I’m not concerned about their weight. My solar energiser isn’t holding it’s charge because of the lack of sun so I’m going to get a new plug in adaptoor so I can charge it manually, they’ve got wide to the fact it is switched off/very weak I think!

 

[Chonkers]

We do have hedges too and yes they do lean over it, not a problem as long as they don’t pull it all down. They are good doers too so I’m not concerned about their weight. My solar energiser isn’t holding it’s charge because of the lack of sun so I’m going to get a new plug in adaptoor so I can charge it manually, they’ve got wide to the fact it is switched off/very weak I think!

Ahhh in that case it wouldn’t surprise me if they are getting enough leaning over the fence. It’s amazing the amount of food they’ll find when the opportunity presents itself.
Mine has learned she doesn’t get zapped when her rug is on or when her mane is unpulled. They can be too clever by half!

 

[KikiDee]

My 2 that live out have been eating less hay this week (well dragging it out the feeder and spreading it round rather than eating it ) they also seem to be spending more time up the top of the hill grazing and less hanging around by the yard waiting to be fed, so I’ve figured with us having a bit of winter sun this week the grass has perhaps had a flush.

 

[Sugarplum Furry]

Mine aren't very interested in their hay either, ironic because for the first time ever in my life I've got A) a beautiful new hay barn and B) it's stacked to the rafters with good quality hay (which they've previously loved).

On the other hand I've still got about 3 acres of decent grass which I'm strip grazing them on. They might go back to the hay if we get some proper cold spells.

 

[TheOldTrout]

Strangely, mine has only just started eating hay this past week! She only eats hay when she doesn't get enough grass, so the good grass must have been eaten...

 

[lynz88]

My yard had a new shipment of hay and none of the horses - including mine who is a secret pig and eats everything - were eating it including the haylage. Yard must have told supplier to take it back and get new as it looks much better and mine is now gobbling it up. Hay seems to be hit and miss

 

[lynz88]

My 2 that live out have been eating less hay this week (well dragging it out the feeder and spreading it round rather than eating it ) they also seem to be spending more time up the top of the hill grazing and less hanging around by the yard waiting to be fed, so I’ve figured with us having a bit of winter sun this week the grass has perhaps had a flush.

I think we have as i noticed mine actually grazing yesterday. Normally he is just standing around (usually at the gate mid afternoon - he dislikes winter but needs the movement for the arthritis)

 

[MissTyc]

Mine are grazing more, eating less haylage/hay at the moment. They tend to pig on haylage when it's raining, but like to go nibble and move more when it dries up like this week. I don't worry if the poo looks normal and they are birght eyed and energetic.