What makes good hay?

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BlueFire710

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Hi there,

I was wondering if this would be poor or good hay?
- Very like grass i.e. very fine
- Fairly light in weight
- no dust, spores etc
It is definitely not bad hay (dusty) as i would not be feeding it! Just want to know whether the grass like feature is a good or bad thing?

Alternatively, a list of what WAS good hay would be good!
Any help much appreciated!
 
Hmmm,Asking most of this lot what makes good hay.I wouldnt hold my breath for an answer. I have bought and sold hay for many years ,and made a few (thousand) tonnes.I do despair at the average horse owners ignorance on the subject. Ideally, good hay should have all the colours of the original grasses and flowers preserved. It is worth remembering that most of the protein is in the leaf rather than the stalk. Grasses such as ryegrass have a lot of heavy stalk ,where sugars are stored. Meadow grasses however, particularly downland grasses are more leaf than stalk so less sugars and more fibre and protein.The latter is probably better for the average horse. The bale should feel springy when you pick it up by the strings. A "dead" solid bale is most likely mouldy . IF IT SMELLS MOULDY DONT BUY IT. I have been hunting on the internet for a site which gave pictures and analysis of various hays,sorry but I failed to find it,will keep looking.
 
What a brilliant answer, thank you. Very helpful and comprehensive. I'd say my hay fits that bill so that's good to know!
Many Thanks!!
 
It sounds as though yours would be classed as Meadow Hay, hay cut from permanent pasture with a good mixture of grasses.

Seed Hay is from grass planted for either short or longer term and wouldn't have the mixtures, but it supposed to be less chance of being dusty and being higher in protein, so known as racehorse hay.

For most ordinary horses, well made meadow hay is best.

It is a complex subject because added to what grass variety the hay is, the other question is at what stage of maturity the grass was cut, in the early summer when the grass is growing fast with a lot of sugar in the stems, or later in July when the grass seeds are filling. For most people, however, the reason why they cut the hay at a certain time is when they think the weather is going to be hot and dry for enough time to make it.
 
What makes good hay ??? A good contractor !! With all the will in the world, you could have the best grass for miles around..but if you are lucky enough to have your own kit, ie mower ..tedder, baler, tractor..you are in the hands of the person who is bailing it for you and if they can not do it on the day its ready, or need to bale before its ready totall disaster.

And you know...i feed hay, big 4ft rounds or square big bales, whatever is their, and it is dusty, but i just soke it and its fine..horses look fab on it. I just can not be fussy if i said to my boyfriend, thats hay is dusty im going to buy some hay for 65.00 a bale as it has no dust i think he would throw me out the house..as a bit of dust wont harm anybody
 
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