|
|
Post by solomon on Nov 19, 2011 16:19:26 GMT
I had to open a bale of horsehage last weekend for Pete to eat while they were kept in due to worming. I gave him the rest of the bale today as it is now seven days since it was opened. It still smells nice. Do I have to throw it away tomorrow if he has any left, if it dries out can it hurt him? I have left it in his stable uncovered but it was wrapped up til today. Thanks folks. Still learning with haylage.
|
|
haffyfan
Administrator 
is pressing random buttons...sorry guys
Posts: 7,391
|
Post by haffyfan on Nov 23, 2011 20:00:04 GMT
Sol i have no idea, my usually reliable long time supplier let me down this year and haylage was all I could buy so am learning myself. The last bale I had lasted just over two weeks...i have been bagging enough to last a week (3 bags a day) on a sunday and recovering the bale (big bale not shop). The very centre was a bit warm at the start of the second week after i'd filled my bags so i chucked it to be on the safe side although it looked/smelled okay just warm to feel.
At the moment i'm going by smell/look/feel and just [hopefully] playing safe I guess getting rid if i'm in doubt.
I'm especially nervous about using it, after my friend C's pony almost died of botulism due to contaminated bales from a large and well known supplier [who sadly killed several horses including a well known eventer] some years ago now. There was just no hay anywhere to be had and it was cheaper than shop stuff to have [and waste if need be] the big bales.
|
|
|
|
Post by solomon on Nov 23, 2011 21:52:01 GMT
Oh gosh what a worry. Pete gets a runny bum too when only on haylage!
|
|
haffyfan
Administrator
is pressing random buttons...sorry guys
Posts: 7,391
|
Post by haffyfan on Nov 24, 2011 18:12:07 GMT
yup mine had runny bums for the first week/10 days or so too! Lovely, especially with a tail as thick as Harry's NOT
|
|
|
|
Post by brigadier on Nov 25, 2011 21:50:52 GMT
Well Im in the same boat, I throw any that has that white sheen or is dry dusty or matted, my supplier said to unwrap it, loosely cover it otherwise it would heat up and sweat too much if left wrapped and I should manage two weeks, longer int he colder weather. Ive thrown quite a bit but generally get enough to last. Mind you that's academic now due to my new horse.....but thats the subject of another thread!
|
|
|
|
Post by solomon on Nov 25, 2011 22:09:51 GMT
Ooh do tell!
|
|
|
|
Post by maximum on Dec 4, 2011 19:56:08 GMT
|
|
ceej
Administrator
im back.... :)
Posts: 5,363
|
Post by ceej on Dec 9, 2011 15:48:23 GMT
Im just about to start using haylage too as there is just no hay wbout - its pretty dry stuff though - i doubt I will get through a large bale in two weeks though. Does anyone notice whether their horses are more energetic on it (a worry as i dont know Lulu yet!!)
I have also been told to loosen it all off to stop it overheating (I had previously thought keeping as much of it wrapped as poss would have been better to stop the air getting to it but thats obviously not right. hoping it will be ok - willow has been a bit colicy on it before but I think it was because i changed it completely straight away, and this time I have some hay to mix it with - big bales of hay are just so dusty it seems these days - i think because its so hard to get it dry in time they bale it a day or two early and it heats up causing mould spores. At least i wont have to soak the haylage for willow's COPD!
|
|
haffyfan
Administrator
is pressing random buttons...sorry guys
Posts: 7,391
|
Post by haffyfan on Dec 9, 2011 19:37:27 GMT
It doesn't appear to have affeected mine (I thought it might be like rocket fuel) and they are hardly ridden right now but more than happy to plod along quietly. My recent bale has lasted much better than first and I totally unwrapped this one (purely as we had to roll it as it was too close to another and couldn't get the hay off) whereas the first one was still partially wrapped first week. Don't know if this helped or simply the fact it's colder or a combo of both but will keep unwrapping them fully from now on.
|
|
for so much hard work we thank ye!!
