Pony turning nose up at hay

[Sprogladite01]

We've recently just placed a huge order for hay so my storage is currently full. However, one of my ponies resolutely refuses to eat it - he hasn't finished a net since we got it. It's from the same supplier as always, but the hay is clearly different, from a different field or something I don't know. It's much coarser, dustier and he clearly doesn't like it, previously the hay was really lovely (hence why I placed such a big order!). I've tried soaking it, steaming it, hiding treats in it etc to make it more appealing but at best he is picking at it. Does anyone have any suggestions on what to do?? How worried should I be? It's clearly edible because my other pony eats it, although he doesn't like it much either (he will eat it, but he doesn't bother to pick the dregs out the bottom of the net anymore - and he will eat most things tbh). Neither of the ponies is getting turnout at the moment so they're on hay only (they get feed w/ balancer), hence being so worried about it. If I had space I'd just order hay from someone else but having just placed this massive order that's not really an option. They both had their teeth done about a month ago, had massages yesterday and both seem to be in good shape. The one refusing to eat more still seems to be producing as much poop as ever but the hay is visibly less that's going in so not sure how he's managing that one lol.

Any ideas much appreciated!

 

[BeansNsausages]

Sell it and buy more from elsewhere ?‍

 

[nagblagger]

Could you speak to the supplier? It sounds as if the quality has changed, dustier etc so I would be contacting them to sort the issue.

 

[Red-1]

Mine has gone off hay. I initially thought it was different or contaminated, but actually I think he is preferring grass and is simply turning his nose up at it, saving himself for field time!

 

[Sprogladite01]

Mine has gone off hay. I initially thought it was different or contaminated, but actually I think he is preferring grass and is simply turning his nose up at it, saving himself for field time!

Wish that was the case lol, they haven't been on grass for most of winter as one's been in rehab and needed a buddy (otherwise they both hared around like loony tunes) so can't imagine he's starving himself hoping for turnout lol!

Could you speak to the supplier? It sounds as if the quality has changed, dustier etc so I would be contacting them to sort the issue.

Thank you, I've texted the supplier and he's bringing me a bale tomorrow from a different field which we will test sir fussy with tomorrow. If all good he will swap bales out for me. Appreciate the suggestion, seems obvious now but honestly didn't think of it lol!

 

[Melandmary]

A few years ago when i was on livery the farm bought in a supply that few of the horses ate and mine point black refused to eat. The farmer ( non horsey) wouldn't return it and also wouldn't let me get my own supplier so i had to go onto small bagged haylage until it was used. I did try mixing it but she just ate the haylage. When there is no other source of food ( no grazing) i couldn't force my horse to eat something she did not like as it was suggested to me that she would eat it if she was starving ?. In your shoes i would sell it on

 

[Shilasdair]

A decent supplier will take hay back - or if you have not received it yet, cancel your order.
Bad hay, that horses won't eat, is a pain in the **** as you end up having to dispose of the uneaten stuff.

 

[ester]

YO bought some once that even the greedies only picked at, it got sold on eventually.

Only thing will say is if genuinely struggling with coarser stuff it can be a teeth flag.

 

[Widgeon]

What a nuisance. We had a similar situation recently - usually our hay is at least good, sometimes lovely. However this load had some real cruddy bales in there, probably 50%. YO kicked up a bit of a fuss and refused to pay for the spoilt bales. Once the farmer actually saw them he seems to have backed down (with a reasonable amount of grace) and replaced with much better. So probably worth asking, particularly if it's a supplier who's usually reliable.

 

[Widgeon]

Thank you, I've texted the supplier and he's bringing me a bale tomorrow from a different field which we will test sir fussy with tomorrow. If all good he will swap bales out for me. Appreciate the suggestion, seems obvious now but honestly didn't think of it lol!

Thank goodness for honest suppliers

 

[Abby-Lou]

yes got same issue currently, will eat it in stable but not out in yard ? I think the grass is starting to grow and be a bit more tasty.

 

[Sprogladite01]

Supplier kindly dropped off a bale this morning and Mr Fussy has demolished his hay net today so that's a success lol. He's bringing more tomorrow and will ask if he'd be willing to swap what we've just bought for the stuff he's bought today. Phew. Horses!

 

[nagblagger]

Glad its worked out, he should swap it though.

 

[Sprogladite01]

Glad its worked out, he should swap it though.

He's agreed to swap out the rest now so all good - phew!

 

[Birker2020]

Mine has gone off hay. I initially thought it was different or contaminated, but actually I think he is preferring grass and is simply turning his nose up at it, saving himself for field time!

I've noticed that with Lari, I empty a net into an overturned tub every night in his paddock and in the morning when he is turned out he knocks the tub over and fills his boots. But the hay hasn't been going down much, which is inline with the amount of grass coming through, and his huge hamster cheeks.

Moved my strip grazing the other day giving him a couple of extra feet and the demarcation line of the new grass was very clear to see, so its coming on nicely.