Why feed Haylage?
It is estimated that up to 60% of all horses and ponies in the UK suffer from undetected respiratory disease, a condition which adversely affects a horses performance and, if untreated can lead to COPD, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. The most common cause of respiratory disease is an allergic reaction to the dust and millions of mould spores found in hay, so it is very important to take steps to reduce the levels of dust and spores. Some owners soak their hay, hoping that the spores will stick to the plant stems and be swallowed rather than inhaled. The reality of this though is the wet hay falls to the ground and dries; the spores then become airborne again and are inhaled. Soaking hay also results in a marked loss of nutritional value, and the water in which it is soaked represents a pollutant ten times the strength of raw sewage. Not forgetting that haylage is recommended by vets and feed nutritionists as a safe and healthy feed for your horse. Haylage from Smallwood Livery
