4 Tips To Minimize Hay Waste While Keeping Horses Well-Fed

Hay goes to waste when it becomes moldy, gets scattered on the ground, or is damaged by insects and vermin. Wasting hay leads to higher costs and less feed available for your horses, which can strain your budget and resources. Use these four tips to minimize hay waste while keeping your horses well-fed.

Store Hay in a Clean, Dry, and Pest-Free Environment

Hay can easily go bad if it gets moldy, wet, or infested with pests. Moldy or damp hay is unsafe to use as feed because it can make horses sick with breathing problems or stomach issues. Pests like mice and bugs can ruin hay by eating it and might carry germs that make horses ill, causing wasted hay and extra costs.

To keep hay safe, store it in a clean, dry place away from moisture and pests. Use a sturdy barn or shed with good airflow to stop dampness or mold. Stack forage on pallets or raised platforms to keep it off the ground and cover it tightly to protect it from pests like mice or insects. Clean the area often to get rid of anything that could attract pests, like food scraps or nesting materials, including loose straw, shredded paper, or fabric scraps.

Use Slow-Feeders To Reduce Overfeeding and Spillage

When horses eat directly off the ground or from loose piles of hay, much of it gets trampled, scattered, or soiled. Slow feeders are an excellent solution to reduce waste by controlling how much hay your horse can pull out at a time. These feeders mimic a horse’s natural grazing habits, encouraging slower eating and better digestion.

Using slow feeders also cuts back on overfeeding, helping your horse maintain a healthier weight and extending the lifespan of your hay supply. Proper digestion supports a horse’s energy levels, which is essential for their performance when racing or working. If you want to increase your horse’s stamina safely, you should also start them on a conditioning program.

Buy High-Quality, Nutrient-Rich Hay

Investing in high-quality hay is essential for minimizing waste and keeping your horses well-fed. Higher-quality forage provides more nutritional value, meaning your horse needs less hay to meet their dietary needs. Nutrient-rich, fibrous hay keeps your horse full, supports proper digestion, and prevents colic.

High-quality alfalfa or similar forage is especially important for ensuring equine nutrition in the winter when grazing isn’t an option. Additionally, feeding premium hay can minimize boredom-related behaviors like wood chewing or cribbing, contributing to a happier, healthier horse.

Rotate and Monitor Hay Supply for Freshness

Even when stored properly, hay will degrade over time if not used efficiently. Use your older hay first to ensure your horses get the freshest and best-quality feed.

Keep an eye on your hay by looking for signs like mold, strange smells, or changes in color, and toss out anything unsafe. Store hay in a dry, clean area with good airflow, and mark the date on new hay deliveries to easily track and use the oldest ones first.

Keeping hay fresh involves good storage practices, smart feeding tools, and regular checks. Storing hay off the ground in a dry, clean area reduces the risk of mold and pests. Tools like slow feeders and high-quality hay make feeding more efficient and nutritious. By combining these strategies, you can protect your bottom line and keep your horses healthy.