Animal Dome

Can Horses Eat Hay That Has Been Rained On?

By Marian Haaz · · Updated

Contents

There’s nothing like the smell of fresh hay, and horses certainly love to eat it. But what if it’s been raining and your hay is wet? Can horses eat hay that has been rained on? And if so, is there any risk involved?

Hay that was rained on in the field and then dried properly before baling can still be fed, though it has lost some nutrients and sugars.

Hay that got wet after baling is the problem: damp bales grow mold, and horses should not be fed moldy or dusty hay. Wet bales can also heat up and catch fire.

Rain on cut hay leaches out water-soluble carbohydrates (sugars) and some nutrients. Lower sugar can be useful for some horses prone to laminitis, but have rained-on hay tested before you rely on it for that.

Let’s take a detailed look at what you can do with hay that has been rained on, along with a few safety tips.

What To Do With Hay That Has Been Rained On?

Check every bale before you feed it. Hay that smells sweet, looks clean and isn't dusty is usually safe. Hay that smells musty, feels warm or damp inside, or shows white, gray or black mold should not be fed to horses.

Mold can grow when stored hay holds more than about 14% to 15% moisture, according to Penn State Extension. Horses are especially sensitive to the dust and spores from moldy hay, which can lead to recurrent airway obstruction (heaves).

Visible mold isn't the only warning sign. Hay can carry mold spores and mycotoxins without obvious mold, so test the hay if you have doubts.

Tips: Can You Feed Wet Hay to Horses?

Here are a few tips for using rained-on hay:

  1. Only feed hay that has dried thoroughly and passes a smell and look check.
  2. Never feed moldy, musty or dusty hay to horses.
  3. Have suspect hay tested for nutrient content and mold if you plan to feed a lot of it.
  4. Change to new hay gradually to lower the risk of colic.
  5. Always provide plenty of fresh, clean water.
  6. Watch your horse for coughing, nasal discharge, reduced appetite or signs of colic, and call your vet if they appear.

How do you save hay bales that have been rained on?

Bales that got wet after baling are a fire risk. As microbes break down wet hay, the bale heats up, and Nebraska Extension treats temperatures above 170°F as high risk for combustion.

  1. Move wet bales out of the barn and away from dry hay, buildings and animals.
  2. Spread them out in a well-ventilated spot so they can dry.
  3. Check internal bale temperatures with a long probe thermometer for several weeks.
  4. Discard hay that turns moldy, and wear a dust mask when handling it.
  5. Don't stack wet bales back with your dry hay until the heating risk has passed.

How do you feed a horse soaked hay?

Hay that has been sitting in water or got soaked in storage should not be fed to horses, because it molds quickly.

This is different from deliberately soaking good, clean hay just before feeding. Some vets recommend that to reduce dust or sugar for certain horses. Feed it promptly and ask your vet whether it suits your horse.

Conclusion:

Rained-on hay isn't automatically bad, but it needs a careful check. Feed only clean, dry hay, throw out anything moldy or musty, and keep wet bales away from your barn because of the fire risk. If your horse shows breathing or digestive problems, call your vet.

Sources

More in Horses