FAQs

The equivalent of a bale of hay – it will provide the overnight forage requirements of an average 500kg horse for three days.

Yes, it retains 90% of the value of fresh grass and has consistent feed values, whereas hay loses much of its value in the drying process and is much more variable. HorseHage is also more digestible.

Typically, the same calculated weight as hay but ideally more, to ensure adequate fibre levels are met and as part of a balanced diet.

This is a common misconception. Since we can state and guarantee the levels of nutrients and it is available in several different types, HorseHage can be used as the basis for all feeds rather than just being fed to fulfil the fibre needs, as hay often is. Problems will only arise if too much hard feed or the wrong type of HorseHage is given. Most people do not know the nutritional value of their hay and need to give hard feed to make up for deficiencies. You can select the right type of HorseHage for your situation. Many horses and ponies in little or no work do very well on just HorseHage with a good quality vitamin/mineral supplement.

Another common myth. As HorseHage is so much more nutritious than hay, it can be used to supply other nutrients so hard feed can be reduced. It is usually no more expensive to use a ration based on HorseHage than one based on hay and can often be less expensive, especially when you consider what some people are paying for hay. A further consideration is the convenience and ease of use, as well as the fact that there is no wastage and every bale of HorseHage is guaranteed. Hay soon becomes expensive when you have to throw bad bales away or rent storage space to keep it in.

Some horses will initially eat HorseHage more quickly because it is so palatable and moist, and for this reason we recommend a special small mesh HorseHage net. However, research shows that after about 2 weeks most horses revert to their original speed of eating.

Because soaking hay reduces its nutritional value even further; up to 70% of water- soluble carbohydrates and 20% of protein is lost. Plus, soaking does not remove the dust and spores, it only dampens so, as the hay dries in the net, it will revert to being just as harmful. Many horses also find soaked hay unpalatable, so eat it more slowly, adding to the drying out problem. With HorseHage, there is not the problem of the smell and disposal of the water used to soak hay,which has a similar composition to raw sewage, not to mention the problems of water freezing in the winter.

All horses benefit from being fed HorseHage rather than hay, due to its nutrient content and dust-free nature. It has been shown that an environment with dust and mould present is harmful to horses and humans, so why wait until you have a problem? Respiratory disease is a cumulative problem – all horses are born with healthy lungs!

If it is powdery and can be brushed off, it is a harmless yeast – in fact some companies now sell yeast to feed to horses. However, if in doubt or if the texture is that of cotton wool or any colour other than white, contact your stockist for further advice. (Occasionally mould grows in a bag that has been punctured.)

Unopened, for up to 18 months. Once opened, it should be used within 5 – 7 days. However, any bags with holes in should not be used. (Unless they are used within 5 – 7 days of the hole being made.)

A common cause of laminitis is too much sugar in the grass in spring and autumn, and grazing should be restricted at these times of year. High Fibre HorseHage can safely be fed at controlled levels to maintain fibre levels and keep the gut moving at these times. An additional vitamin/mineral supplement should be fed and starchy or high sugar feeds should be removed from the diet. On no account should the animal be starved, as this can lead to further problems.

When HorseHage ferments, it uses up all the soluble sugars, leaving the end product containing less than 5% sugar which is a lot lower than virtually any hay. So, High Fibre and Timothy HorseHage are a more positive step to managing horses and ponies prone to laminitis than hay.

If not already using it, switch to High Fibre HorseHage and reduce the other components of the diet. If you are currently using it, check that you are feeding the correct amount overall and use a vitamin/mineral supplement.

The balance of fibre and energy is important and the energy in the hard feed should be reduced to make up for the energy that HorseHage provides, so that the fibre levels are still maintained. In this way, the energy levels in the overall diet will not increase, and the horse will be at no increased risk.

We would recommend that you change over at least a 4-to-5-day period to allow the gut microflora time to adjust.

It is thought that overfeeding starchy ingredients, which are not digested in the small intestine but are fermented in the hind gut, may cause digestive disturbances which may lead to abnormal behaviour. Thus, increasing the hard feed will increase the problem. The energy in HorseHage comes mostly from digestible fibre, so is not likely to cause this problem when correctly introduced (see above).

Although excess protein in the diet is broken down and used as energy, it is generally not protein which causes exuberant behaviour. Protein is the “body building” part of the diet. “Fizziness” occurs as a result of other components of the diet, together with temperament. HorseHage comes in four varieties, offering suitable options to meet your horse or pony’s protein requirements.