Can you change from haylage to hay?

[Kimba]

YO got hay this time- is it ok just to change or should it be done gradually?

[cubic]

It sould definately done gradually as a sudden change can (and has) caused colic. We usually do the change over 1-2 weeks.

[Kerry]

I would do it gradually as above has said, mix a little in with the haylage and gradually increase the amount of hay you mix with the haylage.

Remember the quantity of hay you feed will probably increase as it has less vits & mins than haylage

[sarak]

Agree with everyone above totally - better to be safe than sorry.

(Hope your horse is not ultra-fussy like mine - hated going back to hay after yummy haylage!)

[ktk]

I changed straight from haylage to hay, simply because if I mixed it my arab would pick out the haylage and not touch the hay. There was one night were he wouldnt touch his haynet in utter disgust, then he just muched his way through perfeclty happily.

Ive never known horses to colic from changing from haylage to hay, but have from hay to haylage.

[Wolf]

It may also helps if you soak the hay.

[Oranges]

i had to change suddenly in winter luckily had no colic.
the farmer ran out of haylage and didn't tell us he just delivered hay instead, but i did soak the hay, the old mare wouldn't eat it if i didn't.

[Jen]

I've swapped between hay and hayledge with no adverse effects. Just remember that hayledge although allot heavier, contains allot more water/moisture than hay, so you may need to feed more...

[moose]

I always feed a choice of both and sometimes my TB will go mad for one and leave the other with no adverse effects. One week hay is favourite, next haylage is the only thing worth eating??

Mares

My Arab who is a greedy piggy will scoff her haylage as fast as possible even though its in a small holed net. She would spent most of the night with nothing to eat unless she had her hay as well - which she thinks you can afford to eat a bit slower!