30/11/2025
Haylage is grass that is typically cut slightly earlier than hay and left to wilt rather than completely dry out like hay.
Haylage has a higher moisture content than hay, typically around 35 -45%. The grass is compressed and wrapped in specialised plastic to maintain the optimal moisture content for the natural fermentation process to occur.
Haylage will retain more nutrients than hay, especially the water-soluble vitamins, and the fermentation process converts the water-soluble carbohydrates (sugars) into volatile fatty acids which are used as an energy source by the horse.
The fermentation process lowers the sugar levels and increases the digestibility of the forage.
Common myths about haylage are that it's richer than hay, should be fed in smaller quantities, is always high in sugar, and is too acidic for a horse's gut. In reality, haylage has a higher water content, so you must feed more by weight to meet fibre needs, making it more digestible but not necessarily richer on a dry matter basis. It is often lower in sugar than hay due to fermentation, and properly made haylage is not acidic enough to harm a horse's stomach.
➡️Myth: Haylage is "richer" and more calorie-dense than hay.
✅️Fact: Haylage has a higher water content, which dilutes its nutrients. To get the same amount of dry matter as hay, you must feed more haylage by weight.
➡️Myth: Haylage is high in sugar.
✅️Fact: The fermentation process used to make haylage converts some sugars into lactic acid, often making it lower in sugar than hay.
