how long do you have to wait after hay's baled before you can feed it?

I'm asking because I want to know the many reasons though, not just that there are many! because I'm struggling to think of any. How is it too rich? as tallyho says sugar can't just evaporate.. it can only concentrate if the hay dries out further.
 
I asked my vets once. They said it was a silly idea that you had to wait - its grass when it's on the field and horses can eat grass, and when it's a year old it's hay and horses can eat hay.... So why did I imagine any stage in between would be a problem!
I felt very silly when they said that! have since fed straight off the field with no problems, watch the ones you wouldn't allow large amounts of grass obviously so laminitis etc.
 
tallyho! said:
You can feed new hay as long as its dry and not mouldy. Just use it. What's going to change it between now and November? How silly.
Click to expand...

My horse is currently on box rest and my boss and i went and bought a load of hay off the field. He and some horses at work have been eating it for the past fortnight with no problem!
Its that or he go's hungry im afraid.
 
I bought some new hay recently (cut in March I believe) - I was told it was "best" to no feed it. When I pressed why they just said it "should be left" so I pressed again and said "why" and then asked will it hurt her and they said no! I believe the hay naturally gets hotter when first cut for a while - best not to feed during this time but it still would not kill!

Basically, I am still no further nearer the truth but am feeding it and no problems a all!
 
OP if you're worried about sugars, soak it for twelve hours, changing the water if you can.

One of mine gets mild spasmodic colic if I don't introduce new grass or good hay/halage slowly. I have a few bales of old hay left, which I'll mix with new. When the sugars are up in the grass as they are now (rain and sun), I can't feed haylage or rich hay.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top