Would you feed this colour hay?

PonyFeet10

PonyFeet10

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This is the only hay my yard has in for the winter, I'm not sure when it was cut, maybe a couple of months ago? I've been leaving my horses out as the hay looks way too green for me but I'd like a second opinion.. One of the horses is a 22yo tb which needs to come in through bad weather. Here are some pics, I know they're not brilliant but it gives you an idea..

This is of the inside of the hay bales compared to the colour of the outside

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The inside of the bales

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Against a 'dark' surface. (Mud lol!)

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If its bone dry, smells sweet and the horses like it, yes. But I would try it out on a tough pony type first, anything a bit sensitive I would mix with old stuff or chaff and intro gradually.

The hay we made from our own fields is very green but is perfectly dry and sweet ( we made it for the sheep tho in our case but only cos we only hand pulled the ragwort, havent yet sprayed so couldnt be 100% sure had got every plant)
 
It looks lovely and might be a bit too good for my fatties but would do nicely for the others. If it has been cut 2 months it should be fine, it tends to get less green as the winter goes on, some people feed hay only a week or two after it has been cut, I tend to leave it at least a couple of months so I'd say it would be fine. If it was me I would introduce it gradually too.
 
Ah thanks for that guys, I wasn't sure if it would be ok or not as it is very green but it is dry and I'll smell it tomorrow to see if it smells sweet lol! I don't know much about hay other than what I've been taught and been taught it shouldn't be too green. That's great anyway, my hardy little welsh pony Jess can try it tomorrow! Thanks again :D xx
 
Yes for sure, no qualms, as long as it's dry, not dusty and smells good then as said, it should be fine.
 
LOL, I DID feed hay like that last winter, and the ungrateful witch much preferred the other stuff :D She was the only one on the yard who wouldn't eat it.
 
I would feed it... if you are worried it may be too fresh then maybe soak it for 15 mins - 30 mins that will take some of the goodness out ;)
 
Yes, although you may find that your horse gets used to it, he may become loose, ideally you'd be better off introducing it gradually, bit at a time of mixing it with the sort of hay you'd usually feed if you can get hold of a odd bale or two, providing it was cut, dried, baled and stored correctly, it's had time to rest, there will be nothing wrong with it in feeding it now, although could be a bit rich and liven things up a bit, also if you horse has had lami in the past or puts weight on too easily, don't let him go gorging him self on it, soak it.

PS. I only ever feed hay that looks green, not a dark rich green but I only feed hay that has been cut the same year that lasts through till the next cut.
 
Thanks everyone! Just a quick update - The horses LOVE it!! Fat pony is in starvation paddock with no hay, but skinny tb is now on it and so is my youngster and they like it very much and have been fine :D

Thanks again for putting my mind at rest!! They did however give me a shock the day after I started them on it as normally I have heads over stable doors and greeting me when car pulls in but they were um.. Munching instead lol!
 
PMSL. People seem to actualy have forgotten what hay is meant to look like!And the other great advantage of good hay is you can cut back on hard feed.
 
Mike007 said:
PMSL. People seem to actualy have forgotten what hay is meant to look like!And the other great advantage of good hay is you can cut back on hard feed.
Click to expand...

Well after all the years of hardship Mike007, we imagine it's MEANT to be dusty mouldy and grey... rofl :D:D
 
The reason the hay is so green is it was made without being exposed to excessive amounts of sun. The sun bleaches the hay once it has dried giving the pale green/grey colour most of us are used too. Very green hay is likley to have been baled on a dull day less sun - less colour loss. As long as it is dry & fit to bale there will be no problem.
 
Definitely - Mine are out 24/7 and I have managed to secure some greenish stuff for them. If its been baled too wet then it will smell fusty
 
Contrary to what someone said (and being from a farming family who has spent years lugging and making hay) green hay is made on the hottest driest days following dry weather. This means that the hay dries very quickly and can sometimes be made in 24 hours. This type of hay is by far the highest quality hay and if you don't want it I'll swap it for some slightly less green stuff if you like!

Bx
 
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