Straw_sml vs large bales??

[sarah0786]

I'm moving my horse next week, he's my first horse and the horse that I used to part loan was on shavings so straw is a bit of a grey area for me. I've been buying large bales for him that are cut into slices and come in two halves for £24, they are massive and last ages, I think I've used one whole one since I got my horse at the beginning of last month. At the new yard the usual supplier only has the small bales at £2.75 each. How many small bales are equivalent to the large bales? Are the smaller bales more expensive, my friend has said the bigger bales work out to be about half the price and are much better value. I've ordered 10 small ones to put a new deep bed down until I can look at finding a different supplier in the area is this enough- too much etc? I really have no idea

His last stable was 10 by 12, the new one is bigger and at least 12 x 12. I have been deep littering because he's been kept in at the current yard, he will be turned out through the day at the new one.

 

[1275gta]

I would have thought 6 should be enough for his initial bed.

 

[sarah0786]

Would that be enough for a really deep bed. He likes to lay down and he box walks, I don't bother with bankings though.

 

[JamesEarwaker]

I would have to agree, the bigger bales do work out better than the small 1's, price and amount wise although many people cant handle the big bales as there isnt enough room in the yard to store them so they all turn to small 1s, i would say 10 would be more than plenty, 5-6 bales would do to get a bed down.

 

[sarah0786]

Thanks, I've ordered 10 just to be on the safe side, the rest will tide me over until I can find someone nearby who supplies the big bales, not sure where I'll put them though. I see what you mean about storage. At the old yard it was 2 people to a tack room and then 2 people to an empty stable that was used for hay and straw storage so I was a bit spoiled. At the new place I have a designated corner haha.

 

[WelshD]

If you have to stick with small bales shop around, I pay £2 a bale for mine

 

[JamesEarwaker]

You can get good quailty straw for £2 and hay at £3, bigger bales are a real pain storage wise unless you cut outside and stack inside (in slabs) but just makes too much mess outside.

 

[sarah0786]

Thanks for the guide with regards to price, I will have a ring round and see if I can get them cheaper. I contacted a local feed supplier to see if they new of any hay or straw suppliers in the area and they said they will deliver a van load of hay for £5. I've never heard of this before but I'm intrigued, their feed prices are even lower than what I currently pay so I will pop in next week when I need more feed and I will ask them about the hay.

I've seen my new tack room and there is no way I'll get big bales in it.

How do you know when hay is good quality?

 

[JamesEarwaker]

[ QUOTE ]
Thanks for the guide with regards to price, I will have a ring round and see if I can get them cheaper. I contacted a local feed supplier to see if they new of any hay or straw suppliers in the area and they said they will deliver a van load of hay for £5. I've never heard of this before but I'm intrigued, their feed prices are even lower than what I currently pay so I will pop in next week when I need more feed and I will ask them about the hay.

I've seen my new tack room and there is no way I'll get big bales in it.

How do you no if hay is good quailty?

[/ QUOTE ]

Normaly its dust free, and can normaly fall apart when you open a bale, if the slabs stick together or stick as 1 then it will be damp or have gotten wet at some point, plus no signs of mould!!