EddieWalker
Epic Contributor
We've had a weird year this year and I'm in a bit of a situation getting hay for my horses. For the last three years, I've had great sources that lasted a few loads, and then got out of the hay business. Then I find another supplier that's even better then the previous one, and they disappear on my after a few loads. Either I'm the curse of death for them, or my luck has just been really bad. Anyway, I'm out of hay and it's become very hard to find. Prices are all over the place too, junk for $50 a bale that I wont touch, to $125 a bale that I just bought, and might buy again, that is really nice hay. There are a few people advertising third cutting hay that they just baled for $85 a bale of clean fertilized coastal hay.
I'm in East Texas and we froze two weeks ago with temps in the 20's, which is before the hay was cut. Temps are back into the 50's and 60's during the day, but in the 40's at night. Is it possible that hay cut after the freeze will be good for feeding horses? My understanding is that once it freezes, or temps get into the 40's, the hay loses all it's protein and isn't any good anymore. Is this true?
I haven't looked at it yet, just been trying to arrange a time to go look at it and then buy it if it's good. I can smell good hay. I love that smell!!! I can also smell mold and see what rotten hay looks like, but I'm not sure if it's fresh, if I can tell if it will be good to feed to my horses or not. What should I look for?
Thank you.
I'm in East Texas and we froze two weeks ago with temps in the 20's, which is before the hay was cut. Temps are back into the 50's and 60's during the day, but in the 40's at night. Is it possible that hay cut after the freeze will be good for feeding horses? My understanding is that once it freezes, or temps get into the 40's, the hay loses all it's protein and isn't any good anymore. Is this true?
I haven't looked at it yet, just been trying to arrange a time to go look at it and then buy it if it's good. I can smell good hay. I love that smell!!! I can also smell mold and see what rotten hay looks like, but I'm not sure if it's fresh, if I can tell if it will be good to feed to my horses or not. What should I look for?
Thank you.