High-Quality Haylage

Haylage is made from grass that has been cut before it reaches maturity. The grass is cut, wilted, and baled while it still has a high moisture content (typically 35-45%). Haylage bales are then wrapped in plastic to prevent oxygen entering and facilitate the fermentation process (also known as ensiling).

Both hay and haylage are commonly fed as forage to horses, but there are many differences between them:

• The cutting and drying process – hay is mature grass which is cut then left to dry (either in the field or barn dried), while haylage is younger grass which has been cut earlier in the season, typically wilted between 12 to 72 hours (weather and crop dependent) and is then wrapped after baling to begin the fermentation process.
• Preservation – hay is preserved through dehydration, while haylage is preserved through fermentation.
• Storage – because of its higher moisture content, haylage needs to be wrapped in several layers of plastic. Haylage should be consumed within 2-7 days of opening it to prevent spoiling. However, high-quality haylage can be stored for up to 18 months, provided it’s stored somewhere dry, cool and well ventilated.
• Moisture content – haylage has a much higher moisture content than hay, typically 40–60% for haylage compared to 10-15% for hay.

For more in-depth information about the differences between hay and haylage, and which type of forage is right for your horse, read our blog, ‘Hay vs Haylage’.

Haylage should be stored in a cool, dry place with good ventilation. Ideally, it should be stored in a barn, shed or covered area. If it needs to be stored outside, it should be kept out of direct sunlight and you should ensure that the packaging is not damaged. 

A bale of haylage should be consumed between 2-7 days, depending on the time of year and weather. After this time, you should be cautious of feeding haylage as it may have spoiled. Signs that haylage has spoiled include:

• Change in Smell. 
• Visible mould
• White spots

There are many benefits to feeding haylage over other types of forage, including:

• Extremely digestible – haylage has a higher digestible energy (DE) content because it is cut when it is less mature (and therefore lower in indigestible fibre content).
• Low Dust  – due to its higher moisture content, haylage is naturally lower in respirable particles. However, at M&T Haylage, all our hay is dust-extracted, making it another great option for horses prone to respiratory issues.
• Palatability – haylage has a sweeter smell compared to hay, which many horses find more appetising, so it’s ideal for picky eaters. 

Higher nutritional value – because it’s made from younger grass, haylage typically retains more of its nutrients, especially protein.

Some haylage can be high in sugar, making it unsuitable for horses or ponies prone to laminitis. However, the conservation process of haylage often leads to lower sugar levels compared to hay from the same field. This is because, during the fermentation process (when haylage is wrapped post-baling), bacteria consume sugars, converting them into lactic acid and volatile fatty acids. Despite this, factors such as the maturity of the grass when cut and the environmental conditions during harvest significantly influence the final sugar content. 

For laminitis-prone horses, selecting forage with less than 10% water-soluble carbohydrates (WSC) is recommended. While both hay and haylage can meet this threshold, care must be taken to choose suitable varieties and manage feeding amounts, especially as haylage is often more digestible and palatable, potentially leading to higher intake if not controlled. 

At M&T Haylage, we offer Low Energy Haylage, which provides a reduced sugar and protein content ideal for less active horses and those prone to weight gain. For more advice on choosing the most suitable forage for your laminitis-prone horse, please contact our nutritionist. 

As a general rule, a horse needs 2-2.5% of their body weight as dry forage every day. However, how much haylage you should feed your horse will depend on a range of factors, including:

• The type of haylage you’re feeding, as different varieties have different energy levels and moisture content.
• Your horse’s body weight and current condition.
• The amount of work your horse is in.
• The number of hours spent out at grass and the grazing quality.
• Whether your horse has any ongoing health issues or is at risk for certain conditions, such as laminitis. 

If you would like more information on how much you should feed your horse, please get in touch with our team. Our nutritionist will be happy to advise.