31/12/2025
✨ Happy New Year to our wonderful clients ✨
As we head into the new year, I wanted to share a little education around hay quality. Over the past few weeks, we’ve had quite a few bales brought into the shop for assessment, along with seeing a lot of hay advertised online that raises some genuine concerns.
Hay is the foundation of the equine diet, and while it can look perfectly fine on the outside, how it was grown, handled, and baled makes a significant difference to both horse health and paddock outcomes.
When choosing hay, i want our beautiful clients to know there are a few important questions worth asking 👇
- When was it cut and under what conditions was it baled?
Hay that has been exposed to rain prior to baling can trap moisture inside the bale, leading to internal heating, mould development, nutrient loss, and increased risk of respiratory or digestive issues — even when mould isn’t visible.
- What grass species are in the paddock and the final hay blend?
A reputable seller should be able to clearly identify the grasses present. Broad labels like “native” don’t provide enough information to feed confidently, particularly for horses with metabolic or respiratory sensitivities.
- What w**ds are present in the hay?
We are seeing a noticeable increase in hay containing dock, blackberry, and other w**ds. Beyond palatability, this introduces w**d seeds into paddocks and can create long-term pasture management issues.
- Has this hay been tested?
Laboratory testing provides objective information.
Ask:
• Has it been tested for sugars (WSC/ESC)?
• Is there a nutritional analysis available?
• Were multiple samples taken from across the paddock?
Testing is particularly important for horses with metabolic, laminitic, or performance needs.
Hay testing is an excellent tool — when it’s done correctly.
Testing is expensive, and not all suppliers test in a way that truly represents the hay they are selling. A single grab sample from a few bales does not accurately reflect an entire paddock or cut. Sugar and nutrient levels can vary significantly across different sections of the same paddock.
This is why WE batch test section by section, taking multiple samples across each paddock before applying results to a specific batch of hay. This approach accounts for natural variation and provides far more reliable results.
When reviewing test results, it’s worth asking:
• how many samples were taken
• how they were collected
• what specific batch the results apply to
Testing is only as reliable as the method behind it. Transparency matters.
We have also seen many new sellers enter the market. While that isn’t a problem in itself, rushed harvesting, llimited species knowledge, and w**d-heavy bales being marketed as premium product are becoming more common — and it’s something horse owners should be aware of.
Our goal is always to help you make informed feeding decisions that support your horse’s health and protect your land. If you’re ever unsure, we’re more than happy to assess hay, answer questions, or talk through what to look for.
We also can recommend many great hay sellers in the industry.
We have a grass sample box in store with identified species. If you’re ever unsure what grasses are in your hay or paddock, you’re welcome to bring a sample in and we can help you identify it and talk through what it means for your horse.
Here’s to another year of quality feed, honest advice, and doing things properly 🤍
- Mikaela
