Frequently Asked Questions

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Easy Pack Haylage

• What are the benefits of switching from hay to Easy Pack Hayalge?   

  There are so many benefits to switching to Easy Pack Haylage as each variety contains specially selected grasses to match your horse’s type and work load.  The high quality nutrients, vitamins and minerals provided by Easy Pack haylage can reduce hard feed by up to a third, decreasing feed costs and the possibility of behavioural and health problems associated with this type of feeding regime.

  Easy Pack Haylage is dust free for a more nutritious, safe forage for horses with respiratory conditions.  Its high water content is also great for digestion and palatability; every horse will love the fresh taste of Easy Pack Haylage.

• Can I feed haylage all year round?   

  Easy Pack Haylage is harvested and packed to provide you with constantly high quality forage all year round.  In the summer you may wish to keep your haylage under cover to prevent it from overheating.

• My horse is a good doer, will haylage be too fattening?   

  Easy Pack Haylage is not ‘fattening’ but as with every aspect of your horses care you must match your horse’s type, work load and nutritional requirements to the right Easy Pack Haylage.  You should aim to provide 2 – 2.5% of your horses body weight in forage daily.  If your horse is overweight you can reduce this but never below 1.5%.  It is best to work out your horse’s ideal weight and feed 2% of this amount.  Easy Pack Timothy Haylage is ideal for good doers and those on a weight control diet.

• Will haylage provide too much protein?   

  Protein is required for growth and the maintenance and repair of body tissues; adequate quantities will be provided through good quality forage such as Easy Pack Haylage.  An excess of protein, normally caused by large amounts of hard feed can lead to weight and health problems.  Most horses do not need the addition of hard feed to their diet.  It is important that your horse receives good quality protein from good forage for health and condition.

• Will haylage make my horse livelier?   

  This is probably one of the most common misconceptions regarding feeding haylage.

  Sugar, and in particular starch are responsible for the ‘heating’ effects seen in horses.  The majority of problems come from high starch concentrated feeds.  Spring grass, which is higher in sugar can also have a similar effect.

  Highly strung horses should be fed a diet based around the provision of good quality forage, such as Easy Pack Haylage.  Avoid starchy feed and high quantities of sugary treats.  Spread your horse’s haylage ration throughout the day to keep your horse satisfied and entertained, a horse that is chewing for longer periods will be far happier and more relaxed.

• Is it true you have to feed less haylage?   

  If you are changing over from hay to haylage, you need to work out the ration by weight.  As haylage has a high water content, which is what gives it its freshness, you must feed the same amount in weight as you did hay, not volume (not how many hay nets).    

• How much do I need to feed?   

  This all depends on the size of your horse or pony and the work load. However, a rough guide is around 2% of your horse’s body weight should be given in forage to satisfy his appetite.  With good quality haylage the majority of horses will not need the addition of a concentrate feed.  If your horse is working hard, competing regularly or if you have breeding stock we would recommend moving to Easy Pack Rye Haylage for additional protein and energy.

• Do I need to change over gradually?   

  As with any adjustment to feed it is recommended that you make the change gradually.   It can be done in a few days but we would recommend a period of two weeks to allow the hind gut bacteria to adjust.  

• My horse has a respiratory condition; do I need to soak haylage?   

  No, as haylage has a naturally high water content it is naturally low in dust and is ideal for horses with respiratory conditions or any horse to reduce the dust in their environment.

• My pony is prone to laminitis, is it safe to feed haylage?   

  If you have a pony with or prone to laminitis always consult your veterinary surgeon before undertaking any dietary changes.  Easy Pack Timothy Haylage is idea for horses on a controlled diet and will provide essential nutrients for good health without additional starch or calories, whilst providing good quality fibre to keep you horse happy.

• I have a competition horse can I feed haylage?   

  Absolutely!  Easy Pack Rye Grass Haylage has been specially selected for horses in hard work requiring higher levels of good quality protein and energy.  

• Can I feed Easy Pack Haylage to my in foal mare?   

  Definitely!  Mares in foal and growing young stock need good quality protein and nutrients for growth.  Easy Pack Meadow and Rye are ideal for breeding stock and growing youngsters.

• Will my haylage go off?   

  Haylage is produced by packaging wilted grass into air tight plastic.  Once packaged, the haylage remains in a constant state, which only changes in the presence of air.  Always check that the plastic on your Easy Pack Haylage for damaged.  If air gets to the haylage the secondary fermentation process begins, which will create a white powder to the haylage.  If this has happened you must discard the haylage.  Once opened we recommend you use Easy Pack Haylage within three days to five days depending on the outside temperature. 

• Do I have to use a haylage net?   

  Haylage nets are not essential, however, they are a great way to slow your horses intake down making his ration last as long as possible.  

  Easy Pack haylage is so tasty your horse may want to get stuck in, so when changing from hay you should keep an eye on how quickly he is eating and maybe consider a net or separating your haylage into smaller rations to be given throughout the day.  Normal grazing patterns should return after a couple of weeks but separating rations to ensure you ‘trickle feed’ as nature intended is beneficial to both the physical and mental health of your horse.

   

• Will switching to haylage cost me more?   

  Cost is dependent on what you were paying previously.  However, changing from hay to haylage should not be more expensive and should actually save you money as it decreases the need for additional hard feed.  Easy Pack Haylage will definitely provide you with more value for your money.