Peeps who use hay and haylage over winter?

depends what is delivered :) this year they are on hay and when that runs out probably have haylage, i would rather have haylage as it keeps his weight on better :)
 
I start with hay then swap over gradually to haylage when the weather is cold enough. Half hay, half haylage then building up over a week to full haylage. As my bales are 125kg for 1 horse, I need it cold enough that the haylage won't spoil over a couple of weeks.
 
Thats a good point about the weather being cold enough, I only have two this winter and my haylage comes in 400/500kg bales....but thats where I struggle in spring open a bale and it goes off quicker than I can use it :rolleyes:
 
By two get predominantly haylage but also a net of hay. They'll scoff as much haylage as you give them so adlib would just make them fat so they get the 'right' amount of haylage and a haynet which they don't really want much so the hay is ad lib but the haylage not so much! They'll get that from the time they come in until the time they go back out. They do better with some haylage in them which is why I don't just feed hay.
 
We feed hay at the mo , well only if the weather is wet as i put it in haybars in the shelter ( luckily the 2 boys get on really well - no squabbling )- i will move onto big bale haylege when the weather gets colder as the bale needs to keep longer and also the 2 shets can have some.
 
my horses have hay over the winter and live out all year and my livery horses have hay all year. aslong as you have good quality feed and hay it shouldnt make too much difference.
 
jesstickle said:
By two get predominantly haylage but also a net of hay. They'll scoff as much haylage as you give them so adlib would just make them fat so they get the 'right' amount of haylage and a haynet which they don't really want much so the hay is ad lib but the haylage not so much! They'll get that from the time they come in until the time they go back out. They do better with some haylage in them which is why I don't just feed hay.
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Hmm I like the way you're thinkin'! Also this year in our field there is one v overweight pony who will stay on hay and my 2-yr old whom I don't want to lose too much condition hence will be having haylage..so was wondering how to get round this as usually adlib...but this neat idea means I can adlib hay to them both and give a separate haylage net ration to my boy, thereby also avoiding fights! :)
 
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