by Paulick Report Workers|07.18.2023|3:03pm

Nothing says “summer time” to a horse particular person fairly like freshly baled hay fields, however is hay picked up from the sphere secure to feed straight away? 

Hay that’s cured correctly previous to bailing is secure to feed instantly off the sphere, mentioned The Horse’s Dr. Clair Thunes  – however the caveat is cured correctly. Which means the hay was given the correct quantity of time to dry earlier than it was baled. Hay ought to ideally be baled with 12 % or much less moisture. 

Hay that’s too damp when baled will proceed to treatment as soon as it is baled, taking days to weeks to take action, relying on bale tightness, moisture degree, and plant sort. This ongoing curing as soon as baling is why some individuals desire to let the bales “sweat” for some time as soon as it comes off the sphere, typically ready two to 4 weeks earlier than feeding the bales. 

Hay that cures within the bale produces warmth, which causes fermentation – feeding fermenting hay to horses is a particular danger. Hay that’s baled with greater than 12 % moisture could require time earlier than it may be safely fed to horses. Hay shouldn’t be baled if moisture content material is over 18 %. 

If a bale is opened and feels scorching to the contact, it is unsafe to feed to horses. These bales could by no means be secure to feed, even after further time, as an excessive amount of moisture can lead to mildew. Too-wet hay also can combust, inflicting barn fires, so it is crucial that scorching bales not be put up within the barn. 

Producing good hay is troublesome, as so many issues can have an effect on it, from the climate to the stage of the plant to the dealing with of the hay as soon as it is on the bottom. It is crucial that horse homeowners purchase from an skilled, respected farmer to get the most effective hay for his or her greenback. 

Learn extra at The Horse.