Sweaty smelling soaked hay -URGENT!!!

[HaplessHorse]

My mother kindly filled the hay nets for me and soaked the hay at 1:30.

The soaked hay is now smelling horrible and very strongly of sweat.

Is it ok to feed or do I need to re-do the hay (my mother may kill me)?

 

[Widgeon]

I would be really surprised if sitting for a few hours in relatively cool weather would damage hay that much. I used to soak mine overnight then drain outside on a pallet for a few hours before feeding, and it always smelled okay after all that.

Is it a new batch? Does it smell nasty all the way through or is it ok in the middle? Did the bale smell nice when it was dry? The only times I had smelly soaked hay was when it wasn't great smelling hay to start with.

I'd be reluctant to feed something that smells that rank unless you can work out why it smells so bad (sorry - and I have very low standards!!)

ETA Just realised - has it been soaking since 1.30? If so then I would drain it thoroughly then have another sniff. It might be the stinky water you're smelling. The longer you soak the worse the water will smell.

 

[Tiddlypom]

If in doubt don’t ever feed suspect forage. However, it *ought* to be ok after only being soaked for about 3 hours at 14°C ish temps, I used to soak hay for longer than that.

It’s in summer that it goes off v.quickly.

 

[Widgeon]

If in doubt don’t ever feed suspect forage. However, it *ought* to be ok after only being soaked for about 3 hours at 14°C ish temps, I used to soak hay for longer than that.

It’s in summer that it goes off v.quickly.

Yes that's always what I'd say. In summer, I'd ditch it for sure. But in November.....it's a bit strange!

 

[HaplessHorse]

When I asked, it turned out that my mother had soaked it in yesterday’s water.

I was quite surprised when it smelt that horrible as well! I smelt it from a few feet away, and was very confused so I systematically sniffed things in my vicinity, including myself!

I’ve left soaked hay since the morning before and at worst, the bit in contact with the floor smelt very slightly sweet.

Anyway, crisis was adverted and they were given fresh hay soaked in fresh water! The bale is absolutely fine and smells lovely, like hay should.

 

[Widgeon]

When I asked, it turned out that my mother had soaked it in yesterday’s water.

Oh no No wonder it smelled hideous!! Well I'm very glad you got to the bottom of it (and didn't feed it)

 

[Lois Lame]

Oh no No wonder it smelled hideous!! Well I'm very glad you got to the bottom of it (and didn't feed it)

Exactly.

Good thing you delved deeper into the goings on, OP. There's no end to what Those Who Aren't Familiar With Things will think of to do.