Using last year's hay?

[Charem]

Just spoken to someone who has hay availiable, at a good price and can deliver. Only problem is it's last years hay. I've heard that hay can be good for up to two years though obviously looses it's nutritional value over time. In practice is this true? I want to have a look at it first before I make any decisions but what do you guys think? Worth a look? Guy says its been barn stored and isn't bad hay.

 

[SophieLouBee]

I have both this years hay and last years hay. Last years hay was barn stored and is perfectly fine, I have given some bales to a neighbour who has two laminitic ponies as she doesn't want to give them this years because it is too rich.
However, my horses won't touch last years hay! (fussy beasts)

The best things to check for:
White or black patches where the hay has gotten wet and gone mouldy.
Overly dusty.
Smelly!

I'd also ask if you can take a sample and see if your horses will eat it, no point spending all that money, just to have to buy more if they don't like it

 

[FairyLights]

good advice^^ I am feeding mine last years hay, indeed a long time ago the current years hay was never fed until after xmas.