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Silver
Silver Member
279 Posts |
 Posted - 13 Jul 2011 : 2:17:45 PM
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Am i right in thinking you can feed new hay as long as it has no heat in it.I am sure a vet did say it would be ok it may just make their droppings a bit loose.
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Callisto
Platinum Member
6905 Posts |
Posted - 13 Jul 2011 : 2:26:42 PM
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We have done so when we didn't have any choice, didn't have any problems.
ETA Found this on the net:-
Myth: "Don't feed new hay before Christmas"
Truth: Throw this one in the rubbish bin
Registered nutritionist Teresa Hollands says: "This myth originated because people thought new hay was high in sugar and it might destabilise the digestive system. But as long as the hay has been dried properly, it is a stable product, and there is no need to worry.
"That said, as with any new feed, it should be introduced gradually, overlapping it with the old supply over seven to 10 days. If a horse has come straight off grass, it is even more important to introduce hay gradually."
Ruth Bishop, another registered nutritionist, adds: "Old hay will obviously have different nutritional values to new hay, which typically has higher sugar and soluble protein contents. New hay can be up to 10% sugar, while old hay will typically contain about 2% sugar.
"This should not generally present a problem when new hay is fed in the autumn, provided it is introduced gradually. If introduced rapidly, however, new hay might cause digestive upset in susceptible horses."
As I said above, we didn't have a choice as we had run out of old hay, but we didn't have any problems. Our horses were out during the day and in at night.
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  Zahkira (GR Amaretto x Taffetta)
Linda
East Sussex |
Edited by - Callisto on 13 Jul 2011 2:37:47 PM |
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Silver
Silver Member
279 Posts |
Posted - 13 Jul 2011 : 2:52:00 PM
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| Thanks Callisto,we have nearly run out of old hay so thats our problem.Will just try soaking it aswell. |
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T42
Bronze Member
England
215 Posts |
Posted - 13 Jul 2011 : 3:15:49 PM
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| I gave my old horse colic by feeding "new" hay. It had been in the barn for about 2 months, I checked it very carefully for heat, but it still caused an upset. I know it was the hay because he stopped eating it & started to look sorry for himself. Fortunately it was a very mild bout. |
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Judith S
Platinum Member
Wales
15686 Posts |
Posted - 13 Jul 2011 : 5:31:49 PM
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| Well-made properly dried hay will be the same on day 1 as in 6 months time, if it was not properly dried it will heat in the stack (not necessarily noticeably) and will inevitably be a bit dusty. It needs to be 'crispy' dry when baled to be classed as well-made imo. |
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tamila
Platinum Member
England
2532 Posts |
Posted - 14 Jul 2011 : 7:06:14 PM
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| New hay is ok to feed if dry. Any feed once cut etc. will begin to lose its goodness so new hay is at its best. Feeds with molasses in them start leeching vitamins and minerals straight away. |
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lizshome
New Member
21 Posts |
Posted - 31 Jul 2011 : 10:38:29 PM
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| What is the rule for Haylege? I'm getting a bit short and keep seeing my big stack of this years haylege smelling lovely..... |
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barbara.gregory
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
4531 Posts |
Posted - 01 Aug 2011 : 10:34:35 AM
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I have always fed new hay almost as soon as I get it and have never had any problems. The old farmers thought that 2 year old hay was the best and that has proved to be a load of rubbish. As far as I am aware haylage can be fed as soon as it has been baled. I have certainly fed it the same year it was made and it was fine and the horses loved it.
Barbara |
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Judith S
Platinum Member
Wales
15686 Posts |
Posted - 01 Aug 2011 : 5:47:46 PM
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Haylage needs to ferment before it is fed. In optimum conditions this should happen within 2 weeks but we have always been advised 6 weeks to be sure. The greener it is baled the longer it should be left.
It is definitely not safe to feed as soon as it has been baled. |
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barbara.gregory
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
4531 Posts |
Posted - 01 Aug 2011 : 11:22:48 PM
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Thanks for that, Judith. I have never had my own made (well, only once and it was a disaater and unusable, £2500 down the drain) so I guess the stuff I have bought in was the required age!
Barbara |
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Quarabian
Platinum Member
Wales
4340 Posts |
Posted - 03 Aug 2011 : 9:17:28 PM
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| Six weeks seems to be the safety standard for hay and haylage. Didn't know you could feed sooner, but I will personally stick to my tried and tested guide lines. |
Edited by - Quarabian on 03 Aug 2011 9:18:05 PM |
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Topic |
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New Hay.
