??? which hay

[Stinkbomb]

I have been forced to use this years hay as i couldnt get hold of any last years. Bearing in mind i have two little ones that are prone to laminitis i soak the hay for at least 12 hours before feeding. I have been given the oppurtunity to have some free hay from the year before last. I have seen it and it its green but as its been stored for a while its quite dusty. I have been limiting the hay i give due to it being this years so i am wondering which would be best to feed thinking the older hay wont have much calorific content in it. I soak the hay so thinking that will get rid of the dust? Im Not bothered about paying for hay just want to do the best thing. I feed them hifi light and Topspec antilam so they get their minerals and nutrition they need from that.

What do you guys think i should do, feed what i have or use the older stuff thats more dusty???

 

[Gucci_b]

I would'nt really want to touch 2005 hay. what about trying healthy hooves feed...it's lovely feed for ponies like yours..

 

[Toby_Zaphod]

We have an owner on our yard that has been dealing with her laminitic horse for years. She is feeding this years hay & is soaking it for long periods like you so basically it provides fibre but little else. Based on that I would say stay with the hay you have & what you are doing...Good Luck

 

[Christmas_Kate]

what about mixing the hay you have with barley straw? absolutely fine for ponios to eat, and you don't have to worry about calories

 

[Stinkbomb]

I never really thought about doing that. I always thought that straw gave them bloated bellys if they ate it??

 

[oliverspal]

doas high fi not have bits of chopped straw in it ?

 

[pottamus]

Nothing wrong in feeding last years hay in my opinion...especially if you soak it. I always feed my Welshie year old hay so he can have it ad lib and not put loads of weight on. I bought some of this years hay recently and won't be feeding it until next winter.

 

[Happytohack]

I'd stick with what you are doing. If the 2005 hay looks dusty, then even if you soak it you could get problems. I am feeding this year's hay to my two little ones - it is meadow hay and was cut very late, so isn't high in nutritional value.