RYE Hay

[Devin Sparks]

I tried to look back and find my original post but could not find it. I have cut some rye for hay or straw. I believe someone said horses could not eat rye. Is this correct?

Thanks

 

[kyhayman]

Be very careful feeding any of the small grain hays (rye, wheat, triticale, oats, etc) to horses. They are particularly high quality feeds and can definitely founder a horse. Also, it is incredibly hard to properly cure them as hay so mold is a definite consideration. Lastly, if the hay has grain in it, rodents and snakes will both take up residence in the hay and the snake droppings can be a source of botulism of which horses are highly sensitive.

 

[keh]

No experience with horses, BUT a horse owner said the beards on rye could stick in the horses throat causing problems.
I have fed cows rye hay with no problems.

kyhayman, you recovered from your injuries, hopefully?

KEH