What is the difference between this years and last years hay?

P

Princess P

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As above really, does it taste different and if so why and how long does it take for this years hay to taste like last years?

I have a pony who has been fussy previous years eating this yr hay no problem, but also have a new horse (had him 3 months) who will eat last years hay but not this years! Got hay from 2 different hay men who between them supply the whole yard and everyone else is eating it so its just my 'special' boy who won't!

As he eats last years no probs I don't think it's teeth or due to being full up from grass (out all day on good grass and in at night), but I know hay ok as others eat it!

What can I do?!

Any suggestions gratefully received! Am nearing end of supply of old hay and nearing my wits end!
 
Thanks guys, if I mix it he leaves a lot which I assume is new stuff.

An just worried if I leave him to like him or lump it he may lose
Weight or get colic :-(
 
Is this years hay nice?

I throw away anything mine leave and think they are a good guide if there is anything wrong with their hay. Our hay from this year is absolutely fantastic stuff but I have seen some terrible hay baled this year, and think there will be a lot of ragwort poisoning around.
 
I'm having to wet Kal's hay to get him to eat it . . . he'd actually rather eat his straw bed than this year's hay and has left rather a lot overnight. As he's currently not going out b/c of his ongoing mud fever, the hay is the only forage he's getting :(.

P
 
Try steaming it, a kettle of boiling water poured over it with something nice mixed in, a little honey, molassses or mint may just help, I have known horses refuse to eat hay however hungry they are if they dont like it. The stuff you have this year may be from a field that was spread with manure and it is tainted slightly.
 
There is some very good hay from this year and lots of rubbish. I understand the production window was very small in between the wet weather and many producers hay fields went to seed, making it dusty and disliked by horses,
 
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I agree with this years cut being very dusty, with the dry weather. Taking so much longer steaming their hay! 2 kettles per net, 4 nets, so 8 kettles 😳
 
Hmm I think I'll try steaming then... just when I'd filled my spare dustbin with a new bag of chaff!

I have been thinking of spraying it with apple juice?

Last winter my other pony was vv fussy but he's eating this years hay no probs, as are the rest of the yard!
 
I've caved and bought some haylage to mix with it. A friend/fellow yardmate gave me a haynet of her hay - last year's - and Kal stood and scoffed the lot - didn't move - at all. Normally his bed is trashed within minutes - banks down, but after an hour of being in it was like he hadn't been there at all. Also, he left almost an entire net last night despite being hungry - ate his straw instead. I'd even soaked it (the hay).

Sigh.

P
 
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