Poll - when do u start using new hay?

[phantomhorse]

Relevant to me at mo as my hay is rapidly running out and I've a delivery of new hay arriving tomorrow. There seems to be wide opinion on how soon to start using newly made hay so I thought I'd run a quick poll to see what most people think is okay. And no, don't suggest simply buying in some haylage! That will be cheating!!

<u>Scenario:</u>

Imagine you had none of last years hay left and only had a pile of newly cut hay, what is the SOONEST you would be happy to start feeding the new stuff to your horse/s?

 

[Spyda]

I was also told to wait about 3 months and try to stick to that. I always mix old into the new as well, to get the horses switched over as painlessly as possible. Invariably they prefer the newer stuff though

 

[pocket]

I'd say 12 weeks and mix in with old hay......sorry that does'nt help when you only have one old bale left

 

[Foxfolly]

The only time you shouldn't use new hay is if the bales have heated up slightly after it was baled. As that it when it is a problem to horse... a bit like grass cuttings, they ferment slightly and can cause colic (Obviously grass cutting also compact which hay won't!)

We always use it straight away but make sure we split the bale open to ensure its not a warm one.

2 years ago my husband made some cracking haylage completely by accident as his hay bales got quite hot once they were stacked and cured themself, even though they were unwrapped!! He was quite impressed but sure if he tried to do it again it would never happen!!