Winter forage bills can arrive with a thud. The field has stopped offering much grazing, your horse is eating more in the stable and every delivery seems to cost more than the last. If you are considering a change from hay to haylage, or the other way around, the cheapest-looking bale may not tell you very much.
Hay and haylage differ in moisture, storage and feeding characteristics. What works well for one horse or yard may be inconvenient or unsuitable for another. Start with the horse’s dietary needs and then look at the whole cost of keeping that horse fed.
Why the bale price is misleading
Haylage contains more moisture than hay, so two bales of the same weight do not necessarily provide the same amount of dry forage. Bale sizes also vary enormously between suppliers. A small wrapped bale and a large round bale are hardly a fair comparison simply because they are both called a bale.
Ask your supplier about weight, consistency and the product’s suitability for your horse. If you are making a significant dietary change, especially for a horse with a medical or metabolic condition, speak to your vet or an appropriately qualified equine nutrition professional.
Keep track of what you actually feed over a week, including waste. That gives you a more useful picture than comparing two prices on a noticeboard.
Hay: straightforward, provided you can store it
Good-quality hay can be practical for owners who want to buy a larger quantity and feed it over time. The challenge is storage. A bargain delivery is no bargain if the bales become damp, mouldy or contaminated before you use them.
Quality varies with the crop and how it was made and stored. Check each batch rather than assuming the hay will be identical to last year’s. Dusty or mouldy forage should not be fed. Some horses need particular attention to forage quality and preparation, so seek individual advice where appropriate.
If you buy from a local farmer, ask about delivery charges and whether several owners can combine orders. A dry storage area and a reliable supply may be worth more than saving a small amount per bale.
Haylage: convenient, but watch the clock
Haylage can be convenient to handle and may suit some horses, but it must be stored and fed correctly. Wrapped bales need checking for damage before opening, and opened haylage has a limited usable life that depends on the product and conditions. Follow your supplier’s guidance and discard forage showing signs of spoilage.
For a yard with several horses, a larger bale may be used quickly. For one horse, particularly in mild weather, it may be difficult to finish before it deteriorates. Smaller bales reduce that risk but can cost more per unit.
Work out how many days a bale will realistically last in your own yard. It is better to pay for a suitable quantity than throw away the end of every bale.
Don’t overlook wastage and workload
Forage trampled into a muddy field is money disappearing under hoof. Feed in safe, suitable locations and consider whether a well-designed feeder would reduce waste without creating crowding or entrapment risks. In the stable, look at how your horse eats and whether your current arrangement leaves large amounts spoiled.
There is a time cost too. Collecting small quantities every few days, shifting heavy bales alone and cleaning up spoiled forage all add work. If a shared delivery or different bale size saves an hour a week, that has value even if the receipt looks similar.
Make changes gradually. Sudden alterations in forage can upset some horses, and a horse that refuses its new haylage is not saving you anything.
Choose a supply you can rely on
A reliable local supplier, consistent quality, sensible delivery arrangements and appropriate storage can matter more than the cheapest advertised price. Agree with your yard who orders, who checks deliveries and where everything will go before the lorry arrives.
Above all, forage is not the place to make savings at the expense of your horse’s health. Compare usable feed, wastage and convenience, then choose the option that suits your horse and your routine.
Could this save someone else money?
Share this article with your yard or a fellow owner who is reviewing their winter feed bill. Comparing notes and combining suitable deliveries can make a difficult season a little easier.
