Numpty Question...sorry!!!

[Katie__Connie]

This is going to sound really stupid and like i don't know what I'm doing!!

But what's the difference between hay and haylage? And why feed haylage instead of hay or vice versa?
Thankies

 

[MerryMAL]

Whats the difference? Haylage is picked off the ground green and wrapped up. Why feed? That's what my poll is trying to find out!

 

[cptrayes]

Haylage is wrapped in plastic while it is wetter than hay. It can be stored outside. It does not have dust or mould spores in it and is much better for horses with breathing problems. The sugar ferments, so it contains less sugar than hay and some laminitics do better on it (others don't - beware!).

It goes off after a while once opened, so has to be used. Some horses find it too rich. Big bale is more awkward to handle than normal size baled hay but normal size baled haylage is more expensive.

For me a huge bonus is that it is much easier to make good haylage in a bad summer, so you don't have to worry so much about what you are buying.

Hope that helps. Have I forgotten 'owt, folks?

 

[teddyt]

Haylage is usually cut earlier in the year than hay, so the grass is more nutritious. It is baled earlier than hay so it has a higher water content and wrapped in plastic to preserve it. Hay is left to dry for much longer.

Haylage doesnt have any dust. It is higher in energy and some nurients than hay but you need to feed more by weight than hay because of the higher water content. You can then usually cut down on hard feed. Haylage is normally lower in sugar than hay too.

If the bale gets punctured you shouldnt feed it because of the risk of mould or secondary fermentation, which is bad for the horse. you also have to feed it within a few days of opening the bale.

So it depends on your individual horse and circumstances as to which you choose.

 

[Katie__Connie]

Thankies