| "body"> | | | | 6. Use older hay first. Pull old bales to the front or side |
| You've bought the best horse hay you can find. Now | | | | before stacking in new hay, and feed older hay first |
| store it for maximum use and nutrition. Don't let mold, | | | | before starting on the fresher supply. |
| mildew, rodents and weather ruin your hay! | | | | 7. As much as possible, keep bales in their compacted |
| Indoor Storage: | | | | state. Broken bales expose the hay to air which will |
| 1. Keep hay dry. If you're storing it in a barn, be sure | | | | cause it to degrade in quality. Break off flakes to |
| there are no roof leaks or water drainage problems. | | | | minimize air exposure. |
| 2. Be sure condensation doesn't accumulate on the | | | | Special considerations for outside storage: |
| inside of the roof. A surprising amount of water can | | | | 8. When stored outside, hay must be stacked on |
| drip on your hay from a sweaty roof! Use a plastic | | | | pallets or some type of ventilated platform to keep |
| tarp to channel water away from bales. | | | | ground moisture from infiltrating the bales. Be aware of |
| 3. Keep an eye out for rodents. Rats and mice can | | | | seasonal wet spots! |
| contaminate your hay. Plug any entrances with steel | | | | 9. Bales should be protected from sun and rain with |
| wool. If you can't keep them out, cats and black | | | | tarps. Stack the bales in a pyramid formation to |
| snakes are great mousers! | | | | encourage water runoff. |
| 4. Keep the hay off the floor. Used wooden pallets are | | | | 10. Tarps also protect your hay from sunlight which |
| available from many local businesses. They're often | | | | causes rapid nutrient loss. |
| free for the taking and work perfectly! | | | | Hay needs to be stored properly for maximum safety, |
| 5. Stack your hay for maximum air flow. Square bales | | | | nutrition and usability. But no matter how carefully it's |
| should be stacked on edge with narrow gaps | | | | stored, always check each bale for mold or foreign |
| between rows. Be sure to check for heat in the bales | | | | objects. Never feed a horse hay that looks or smells |
| by driving a metal rod into the centers. | | | | moldy! |