Not convinced by my winter's haylage

[Christmas Crumpet]

I bought 30 3 ft bales of haylage just after they'd been baled in the summer to last me the winter. Having just opened the first two I'm not quite convinced they are right!!

For a start the content is just like hay i.e dry meadow grass, it smells sweet like good hay in most bits apart from at the edges where it smells a bit odd and quite strong. I have never seen haylage like this before. I don't think it smells vinegary because I've had the vinegar bottle out and compared the two!!

The horse is quite happy eating it but I just want to make sure that its ok to feed him (have only fed him sweet smelling bits). There are a few white pimples at the bottom of the bale which I'm assuming is mould and obviously would not feed that section. It seems to me that when the haylage (or whatever it is) was made, the grass was left to dry for too long. Should I just discard all the bales and start again? Obviously I will be annoyed at losing the money but if its not ok for horse to eat then I can't feed it.

 

[millitiger]

if the only problem is it is baled too dry then it is fine to feed- just rather expensive hay!

i would be more worried that it is already mouldy- not sure how well it will last stored for the winter.

 

[Horseyscot]

As millitiger, just sounds like it is more like hay than haylage, will be fine to feed and also will keep fine as the bales are individually wrapped

 

[SpottedCat]

If it's white and creamy (not powdery) 'mould' then it's just yeast growths and fine to feed. If it's powdery or any other colour then discard it. Overly dry isn't a problem, and in fact some farmers will make 'horse haylage' which is dried for an extra day because many horse owners don't like the haylage too 'wet'.

 

[Angua2]

My haylage is almost like hay when I open it up. If I have any Dodgy bits I just remove that bit and chuck it away. My fussy creature never has a problem with the stuff either so I don't worry too much

 

[Lollii]

I buy very dry (wrapped) haylage, it smells lovely and sweet, the horses love it and there is no dust.

 

[Christmas Crumpet]

Phew!! Thanks everyone.

 

[perfect11s]

[ QUOTE ]
I bought 30 3 ft bales of haylage just after they'd been baled in the summer to last me the winter. Having just opened the first two I'm not quite convinced they are right!!

For a start the content is just like hay i.e dry meadow grass, it smells sweet like good hay in most bits apart from at the edges where it smells a bit odd and quite strong. I have never seen haylage like this before. I don't think it smells vinegary because I've had the vinegar bottle out and compared the two!!

The horse is quite happy eating it but I just want to make sure that its ok to feed him (have only fed him sweet smelling bits). There are a few white pimples at the bottom of the bale which I'm assuming is mould and obviously would not feed that section. It seems to me that when the haylage (or whatever it is) was made, the grass was left to dry for too long. Should I just discard all the bales and start again? Obviously I will be annoyed at losing the money but if its not ok for horse to eat then I can't feed it.

[/ QUOTE ]
It sounds like you have 2nd cut which will be like medow hay ie finer because of the shorter growing period... but you should be fine the people I get mine from sell the first cut and use the second cut for the liverys it sounds like yours is ok

 

[Noodlejaffa]

I buy very dry (wrapped) haylage too which is specifically made for horses. The stuff I get from a local farmer occasionally is always a bit hit or miss and more often than not soggy and very smelly. My lot much prefer the drier stuff (at twice the price!!).

 

[soloequestrian]

Mine is really dry this year too - it smells so good I want to eat it myself.

 

[Donkeymad]

We love it drier like that, and it will last a bit longer once opened.