What does dusty hay do to horses?
Don’t feed moldy hay to horses. Most moldy hay problems are from mold spores, which can produce respiratory disease in horses. Many of the common mold toxins develop in the field during a delayed harvest. If you suspect a mold toxin problem, review your horse’s nutrition and health.
How can you tell if hay is dusty?
Registered. If it just smells dusty, there shouldn’t be a problem. When you can smell mold, definitely check the bale thoroughly. If there’s just a little mold on the outside, like on the bottom if it was laying on the ground, just pull that part off the bale.
Is it OK to feed horses fresh cut hay?
The good news is that as long as it’s been properly cured, your new hay should be fine to feed. To check that new hay in your loft, simply open a bale and take a look at it, smell it, and feel it. If it is dry and smells good, you’re fine.
How much is a bale of horse hay?
The Price of Hay Bales By Weight
| Hay Quality | Bale Type | Maximum Price per Ton |
|---|---|---|
| Prime | Large Square | $280 |
| Large Round | $275 | |
| Grade 1 | Small Square | $290 |
| Large Square | $275 |
Can moldy hay kill a horse?
Moldy hay can kill a horse. It’s a cause of colic that can be fatal, and some types of mold are toxic to horses. And inhaled mold spores enter horses’ respiratory systems when they eat, causing heaves or other chronic respiratory diseases.
Why is wet hay bad?
“Excessive moisture is the most common cause of hay fires,” Schroeder says.” Odd as it might seem, wet hay is more likely to lead to a spontaneous-combustion fire than dry hay.” High-moisture haystacks and bales can catch on fire because they have chemical reactions that build heat.
Can hay bales get rained on?
There will be some moisture uptake, but not so much. If you hay gets rained on near to when it’s cut, it’ll have less impact. If it gets rained on near to when it’s dry, then you will have leaf shatter,” says Undersander. However, if hay bales are too wet, mold can grow and give off heat, creating a fire hazard.
Why do hay bales sit in fields?
The reason they are in empty fields is that because of their good keeping qualities, you can bale them up and then just leave them where the baler spat them out until you need them – so reduces handling and storage.
Is hay ruined if it gets rained on?
If rained-on hay is not again dried fully, mold and mycotoxin growth can occur which can put livestock health at risk. Furthermore, baled wet hay can combust due to the temperature increase caused by microbial growth – putting a producer at risk of barn fire.
How many people die from hay bales a year?
HSE reports indicate at least 27 deaths related to baling and bale handling since 2000, including 18 caused by falling bales. Many more have been injured, but the total number is unknown.
How do you salt hay bales?
Normally, they throw a handful of rock salt for every two bales, but if the bale seems a little greener, another handful can be added. For example, if the hay is dry, about 50 lbs. of fine salt can be used for about 400-500 bales. Sometimes, salt is put on just one or two topmost layers of the entire stack.
Does salt help dry hay?
[answer]The basic answer is yes, salt (sodium chloride) can be effective in inhibiting growth of mold organisms in hay. In earlier days, the practice was not uncommon for small rectangular bales.
Why do you put salt on hay bales?
The salt absorbs the moisture, and helps so the hay doesn’t heat up if put away with too much moisture.
How do you dry wet hay bales?
Cut the bales and fluff them, offering each bit of hay excellent air circulation. Keep the wet hay in a dry area, where the water can evaporate quickly. Turn the bale two or three times per day to keep the evaporation moving along quickly.