Case Study: Hay Storage

Case Study: Hay Storage

Square Bales

One of the main sources of consumption for horses is hay. The hay that they consume can come in a variety of different shapes and sizes. There are some that are small bales that are about 2x2x4. There are bigger bales that are 3x3x8 and lastly are round bales that range from 500 through 1,800 pounds.

Round Bales

Hay can be stored outside or inside of a shed but is fully recommended to store indoors. Hay itself is extremely flammable so it should be kept away from any type of heat source or anything that causes fire like kerosene, gasoline, or oil. Another pro to storing hay indoors is that the sunlight does not bleach the hay. Once the hay is bleached, the hay itself loses nutrients. Also, when hay is stored away from the sun, bales can lose up to 7% of dry matter. When hay bales are not covered, bales of hay can lose up 35% of dry matter. Indoor hay is also kept away from an excess moisture that might affect the hay like rotting because when hay rots, horse are not able to eat it. Hay bales should be placed on top of something similar to wooden pallets to help the air ventilation throughout the hay to keep the freshness. If hay is stored outside, the hay should be covered with a tarp to keep it away from the sun and to keep the nutrients in the hay.

Indoor Storage

http://www.hobbyfarms.com/how-to-store-hay-to-make-it-last-2/
http://igrow.org/livestock/horse/hay-storage-recommendations/