December 11, 2023

How To Get The Most Out Of Your Horse Forage During Winter

Every winter, horse owners face the challenge of ensuring their horses are kept well-nourished. One key element that determines a horse's health is the quality of forage it consumes. At M&T, we pride ourselves on being hay and haylage suppliers who provide the highest quality forage tailored to individual horses’ nutritional requirements.

In this article, we'll explore how you can get the most out of your M&T products to support your horse's health during the winter season.

Selecting The Right Hay for Your Horse

When it comes to hay and haylage, one size certainly does not fit all. It is recommended that you choose your forage based on your horse’s individual needs. The type of hay your horse needs will be dependent on a range of factors, including:

• Age
• Weight
• Activity level
• Nutritional requirements

If you are unsure which hay or haylage best suits your horse, our expert nutritionist can advise you.

Storing Your Hay Is Key

Once you have chosen the most suitable M&T product for your horse or pony, it is essential to ensure it is stored correctly.

Hay and haylage are best stored in a cool, dry place, somewhere that it will be protected from all the elements. With increased chances of snow, frost, and rain in winter, your chosen storage must be reliable to prevent your M&T products from getting spoiled.

While haylage must be kept dry, it must also be stored somewhere well-ventilated to prevent mould from growing. We would suggest keeping it above ground level to avoid damaging the packaging.

All of M&T’s bagged hay and haylage for horses can be stored outdoors; however, during the winter months, you may choose to take extra precautions to ensure that it is protected.

However you choose to store your hay and haylage, you should perform regular checks to ensure the product and packaging haven’t suffered any damage. When stored correctly, you can expect your M&T products to comfortably last as follows:

Hay – Up to 12 months if stored out of direct sunlight.

Haylage excluding Alfalfa – Once opened, use within 3-7 days. If unopened, its shelf life is up to 6-12 months.

Alfalfa Haylage – Once opened, use within 3-7 days. If unopened, its shelf life is up to 3 months.

Quantity Of Hay - As Well As Quality

While the quality of your horse’s haylage is paramount, during the winter months, the quantity of feeding is also more important than ever. As your horse burns more calories to keep warm, you may choose to add an additional feed to supplement this or find that they are consuming more hay/haylage than they would during summer.

Regularly monitoring your horse’s weight will allow you to determine whether an increase in hay or haylage is needed.

Keep Your Horse Hydrated

Even during the coldest months of the year, horses will still lose water through sweat. Therefore, it is vital that they have constant access to fresh, unfrozen water at all times. Doing this will mean your horse is better positioned to digest its quality hay and haylage, maximising its nutritional benefits.

Dental Checks In Horses

Cold weather can sometimes cause problems for horse’s teeth. While M&T haylage is made to promote dental health, it could also be worth scheduling a winter dental checkup for your horse. This will help identify any issues they may be having and ensure they can chew and digest their hay properly.

Try Slow-Feeding Your Horse

Introducing some slow-feeding techniques is one of the best ways to utilise your hay and haylage through winter. This could include using a hay net or hay racks. Doing this not only helps to reduce the risk of digestion issues but also prevents boredom, perfect for horses that find themselves in stables more often during the winter.

For any further concerns about feeding your horse during winter or choosing the right horse haylage, do not hesitate to contact our expert team.