Can Horses Eat Hay That Has Been Rained On?

If your horse has laminitis, rain-drenched hay may be a good choice of forage. It is more likely that forage quality is maintained if: The rain occurs soon after cutting when the forage has had little opportunity to dry.

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What happens if a horse eats wet hay?

It would be bad for the horse if it ate wet hay while it was going through a fermentation process, she said. Hay that was wet when it was bundled should be purchased with caution. Baled hay’s quality suffers when it is too wet.

Is hay still good if it gets rained-on?

Hay that has been rained on should be dried thoroughly again to prevent the growth of mold and mycotoxins, which can put livestock health at risk. Furthermore, microbial growth in wet hay can cause the hay to combust, putting a farmer at risk of a barn fire.

What do you do with hay that got rained-on?

He advises using a hay preservative and baling the hay slightly wet if the hay was almost dry when it rained. Although mold can grow and give off heat if hay bales are too wet, it is still a fire hazard. By not stacking the bales, you can reduce this risk.

Does hay get ruined in the rain?

According to Iowa State University research, fresh-cut hay that had received less than an inch of rain took a little longer to dry, but otherwise suffered little quality or quantity loss during that process. There were significant losses due to an unexpected light shower of rain that fell on nearly dry hay.

Will rain ruin hay bales?

Hay can be harmed in a variety of ways by rain. A high level of moisture in the soil leads to an increased risk of decay and mold. Legume hay is damaged more than grass hay when it is rained on during field drying, and the drier the hay is when rain falls, the greater the damage.

How do you save hay bales that has been rained on?

For round bales, use plastic twine or net wrap spaced no more than 4 in. apart for a smooth surface that encourages water runoff.” It is best to store your bales on elevated, well-drained spots to prevent them from absorbing moisture from wet soil or standing water.

How soon can you cut hay after a rain?

I’d wait a few days for the ground to dry out before laying the tiles. The hay will dry faster if the ground is dry.

How do you dry rain on hay?

You may want to chop it up with a rotary mower if the hay has been severely damaged by rain. This will expedite decomposition and reduce shading of the next crop.

Is wet hay good for horses?

It would be bad for the horse if it ate wet hay while it was going through a fermentation process, she said. Hay that was wet when it was bundled should be purchased with caution. Hay that has been baled too wet loses some of its quality.

Will wet straw bales dry out?

Drying more than one bale of freshly wet hay can be attempted before mold sets in. Although this will take time and space, it may or may not be worthwhile for your farm to go through with the process. Cut the bales and fluff them, ensuring that each piece of hay gets plenty of fresh air.

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