I bought a bunch of hay . The horses were eating it fine. The hay came off of 4 or 5 wagons. Farmer then used some preservative on there . I believe that this hay I am trying to feed now, is loaded with the presevative. I just tried to top dress it with molasses. If anyone has any ideas for me it sure would help . Farmer is willing to take the back but that is no easy chore as I have around 300 bales to haul back . Preservative used to make it dry faster in field.
2006-11-13 19:14:04 · 10 answers · asked by djwilk15 1 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
My Practical Horseman or Horse Illustrated magazine just answered a similar question.
The preservative is sprayed onto the hay after cutting and right before baling to keep mold from growing. It does dry the hay out. The preservative has been used for awhile now and chances are your horses have already eaten preservative sprayed hay. Chances are most of these people who replied saying that your horses could get sick and die, have already fed their own horses preservative sprayed hay without being aware of it.
Almost all major hay growers have been spraying their hay with the preservatives. They do not harm horses in any way, however it does change the taste of the hay and it will take some getting use to for your horses. Even the most picky eaters will consume the hay if that is all the choice they have.
Someone suggested you soak the hay for at least 30 minutes and I think this is excellent advice. It may dilute the smell of the preservative enough for your horses to "settle" with the hay they're given.
Most importantly it will NOT kill or make your horses sick. It has been a great benefit for those of us living in the south east to prevent mold, which is an illness causing bacteria (or whatever mold is). The provider of this 300 bales of hay sounds like he knows what he is doing and even better is a good businessman if he is willing to take back the 300 bales.
2006-11-14 04:55:44 · answer #1 · answered by keylime1602 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It looks like you can haul 300 bales or have dead or sick horses. IF the farmer is willing to take it back, then he knows there's a problem with it and he could be liable unless you got the hay cheap because you knew about the preservative. What will the horse's vet bill cost you, versus the time it will take to haul the bales back? I don't know any cheap vets :-) and they're liable to not have a great opinion of you after doing a call like this one.
I have a hay pasture myself, and would never dream of putting anything on the hay. We're even very careful with our fertilizers. There's still a lot of good hay out there this time of year. Good luck to you.
2006-11-13 19:21:44 · answer #2 · answered by Charlotte M 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Never heard of that before I wouldn't want to feed it but you're right about the pain of hauling it back. The only time I seen anything put on hay it was a little bit of salt to draw the moisture out and the horses have no problem with that. try the suggestion to soak it and see if that rinses down the taste. Be careful to remove any leftovers to prevent molding. Good luck
2006-11-15 05:50:44 · answer #3 · answered by emily 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You could soak the hay before feeding it but you will need a large container to soak the hay in for about 30 minutes in cool water then feed it out.
I have never heard of anyone putting any type of preservative on hay and nothing to make it dry faster.
I live in the midwest prime hay raising country and have had horses all my life.
Since the farmer will take it back I would consider returning it.
Did he tell you that he put something on it to make it dry faster.
I would not by hay that had any chemical treatment done to it other than fertilizer or weed killer before growing season.
2006-11-14 01:57:27 · answer #4 · answered by tlctreecare 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I would have him take them back because it's dangerous for horses to eat that kind of stuff. You may want to get hay from another farmer if the farmer isn't willing to stop using the perservitives which he probably won't stop using it.
2006-11-14 09:23:09 · answer #5 · answered by STF11 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's a bummer! Call your vet or extension agent. If the horses aren't eating it, it's not a matter of taste for them, but their health. Horses will even eat things that are bad, so unless you hear otherwise, take it that the hay is bad for them. I have heard of using salt on hay. I wouldn't try to get them to encourage them to eat it until you know if it's safe.
The only thing I can think of is to soak it in water overnight to rinse the chemical off. That's a huge job, too.
2006-11-13 19:22:10 · answer #6 · answered by Susan M 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would advise to take it back, the hassle is still going to outweigh, all the weight-builder , and supplemets you would need after a while.
Try feeding Beet Pulp untill you get ahold of new hay.
2006-11-14 15:29:48 · answer #7 · answered by Axel 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think I would have it analysed to see what the heck is wrong with it and why they won't eat it.
The fact (as pointed out by another responder) that the farmer agreed to take it but makes it all a but suspect!
Good luck.
2006-11-13 20:18:12 · answer #8 · answered by Jan Frost 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
yeah get rid of it all above all don't force or conive you horses to eat it or they will be sick or dead. Horses have a sence for something that might hurt them why do you think that there isn't as many posion cases as there could be. You don't honestly think that ppl go out and comb thier fields like they should do you?
horses are smart.
2006-11-14 01:31:12 · answer #9 · answered by Wolfsong1319 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Horses are smart! aren't they?
2006-11-13 19:16:52 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋