Ryegrass/meadow Haylage

[Irish-Only]

I know this has been discussed previously, but I am very perplexed. 2 years ago we moved to Somerset, and considering this is a very high horse population area, as someone who has for the last 40 years always fed meadow haylage (and nice meadow hay if we could find it), the predominant horse haylage here is ryegrass, and the suppliers look at me gone out when I ask if they make meadow haylage. Now as someone who believes that horses are herbivores and need a feed that replicates that requirement in their winter feed without me having to buy every herbal supplement going, why is this so difficult? We've just found some lovely meadow hay but had to make a 100 mile round trip to collect it, and interestingly the lovely farmer we bought it from said that none of his customers would entertain ryegrass hay, so it does seem to be a localised problem (for me, anyway). Input welcome from Exmoor local horsey peeps. Am I turning into a grumpy old woman?

 

[meleeka]

Meadow hay is the norm here, thankfully. I did get delivered a ryegrass big bale last year, but I sent it back.

 

[TheMule]

The problem is that the yield is usually lower so it costs more per bale to make.
I make excess round bales from my own fields (Somerset), but no one wants to buy it as I can’t load/ deliver.

 

[Irish-Only]

The problem is that the yield is usually lower so it costs more per bale to make.
I make excess round bales from my own fields (Somerset), but no one wants to buy it as I can’t load/ deliver.

Yes, I'm aware that ryegrass is a good and cost effective crop to grow and get, I just don't know why so many people accept it as a feed for herbivores. Is it Hobsons choice?