10 min read Last updated: January 2026 Struggling to choose between haylage and hay to keep your horse settled, healthy and sane this winter? This guide shows exactly how to feed, store and switchcovering DM differences (5065% vs 8590%), why youll need about 15 kg haylage to match 10 kg hay, and the 27 day window for opened bales. Quick Summary Short on time? Here are the key takeaways. Area: Feed by Dry Matter What To Do: Weigh forage and match dry matter; if replacing 10 kg hay at 90% DM, feed about 15 kg haylage at ~60% DM. Weigh typical nets rather than counting slices. Why It Matters: Ensures your horse receives the same amount of dry fibre and avoids underfeeding. Common Mistake: Swapping hay for haylage kiloforkilo and leaving the horse short of fibre. Area: Gradual Transition What To Do: Switch over 710 days: 75:25, 50:50, 25:75 hay:haylage, then 100% if settled. Keep forage breaks under 4 hours. Why It Matters: Reduces gut upset and helps hindgut microbes adapt. Common Mistake: Changing forage overnight or allowing long gaps between nets. Area: Gut Monitoring What To Do: Track droppings and free faecal water for two weeks; if signs appear, switch to latercut haylage or blend with hay and consider a yeast/pre and probiotic. Why It Matters: Haylage can lower fibre digestibility and trigger free faecal water in some horses. Common Mistake: Ignoring watery staining or loose droppings and persisting with rich haylage. Area: Behaviour & Energy What To Do: If your horse gets sharp, choose latercut haylage, reduce concentrates, or blend with hay; increase turnout/workload as appropriate. Why It Matters: Haylage often provides more digestible energy and protein, increasing fizz. Common Mistake: Blaming tack or training before adjusting forage energy. Area: Storage & Hygiene What To Do: Use opened bales within 27 days; check daily for punctures, heat, off odours, discolouration or mould; store off the floor, dry and covered; discard suspect forage. Why It Matters: Oxygen exposure drives aerobic spoilage and mycotoxin risk. Common Mistake: Trying to salvage mostly fine bales or stretching them beyond a week. Area: Cut Selection What To Do: Pick earlycut for poor doers, higher work or dustsensitive horses; pick latercut for gooddoers or winter stabling to raise fibre and lower energy. Why It Matters: Cut stage shifts energy, fibre, acidity and palatability. Common Mistake: Feeding a rich early cut to a native or gooddoer in light work. Area: Steaming & Dust What To Do: Steam haylage at high temperature to cut respirable dust, bacteria and mould, and to keep it palatable after opening. Why It Matters: Supports respiratory health and can extend safe feeding time postopening. Common Mistake: Assuming wrapped haylage is dustfree and skipping hygiene. Area: Test & Track What To Do: Test forage (DM, WSC/NSC, protein) when possible; keep a 10day diary of net weights, turnout, droppings score and behaviour to spot patterns. Why It Matters: Dataled tweaks match forage to your horse and avoid guesswork. Common Mistake: Changing bales or suppliers without testing or recording the response. In This Guide What is haylage and how does it differ from hay? How much haylage should you feed compared to hay? Is haylage better for gut health and ulcer risk? Can haylage make horses sharp, spooky or aggressive? How to switch to haylage safely Storing and steaming haylage in the UK Which haylage cut to choose and when? Deciding between haylage and hay can transform your horses condition, behaviour and gut health especially through the UKs damp winters and short grazing days. The latest studies show clear pros and cons, so you can make a confident, horse-first choice.Key takeaway: Haylage is moister (5065% dry matter vs 8590% in hay), usually lower in sugars but higher in digestible energy and protein. Feed more by weight, use opened bales within 27 days, choose the right cut, and monitor for free fecal water or extra fizz.What is haylage and how does it differ from hay?Haylage is a fermented forage with 5065% dry matter (DM) versus 8590% in grass hay, so its moister, typically lower in sugars, and often higher in digestible energy and protein.UK-produced haylage is cut, wilted, and wrapped anaerobically to ferment, converting some water-soluble carbohydrates (sugars) into volatile fatty acids. This process lowers sugar and can increase digestibility, while retaining more nutrients than hay if the wrap stays perfectly sealed. Early-cut haylage is generally more nutrient-dense and more acidic; late-cut is stalkier, higher in fibre, and lower in energy. See the UK overview from Horse & Rider and the feeding notes from HorseHage.Because haylage relies on airtight wrapping, any puncture risks aerobic spoilage and mould. UK guidelines for wrapped silage (Defra) aim to prevent botulism risks by maintaining anaerobic storage so daily bale checks matter, especially in wet autumns and mild winters.How much haylage should you feed compared to hay?You must feed more haylage by weight than hay to deliver the same dry fibre because haylage contains much more water.Heres the simplest way to think about it. If your horse eats 10 kg of hay at 90% DM, thats roughly 9 kg of dry matter. To supply the same 9 kg DM using haylage at 60% DM, youd need about 15 kg of haylage. In practice, most owners notice theyre carting bigger, heavier nets when they switch to haylage. This added volume isnt a flaw its the moisture difference doing its job.Theres a bonus: horses take longer to finish haylage meals, boosting chewing time and saliva production. Research presented by Kentucky Equine Research found horses fed haylage took longer to eat than those on grass hay, which may help buffer stomach acid and lower ulcer risk; however, they also reported lower fibre digestibility in haylage-fed horses. Read more via The Horse and Horse & Rider.Quick tip: If you normally feed by slices or net count, weigh a few typical nets of hay and haylage so you arent underfeeding fibre when you switch.Is haylage better for gut health and ulcer risk?Haylage increases chewing time and saliva, which can help buffer acid and support ulcer management, but studies show lower fibre digestibility and a risk of free faecal water syndrome in some horses.At the Equine Science Society Symposium, nutritionist Ashley Fowler, PhD (Kentucky Equine Research), reported that haylage-fed horses chewed for longer but digested fibre less efficiently and showed increased faecal water and sodium (free faecal water syndrome). Their advice frames haylage as useful for time-at-forage and ulcer risk, with a clear caveat to watch the hindgut response:Haylage is often a good option for horses that need a restricted diet because it increases their time spent eating, which might help reduce their risk of ulcers and stereotypies... The fiber digestibility of haylage was lower than we expected, and the horses developed free fecal water syndrome.Longer term, forage choice appears to influence metabolism and the gut microbiota. In a 13month UK study, the University of Surrey found haylage-fed ponies had significantly different urinary metabolic profiles compared with hay-fed ponies for example, higher ethylglucoside, creatinine and pcresol sulphate suggesting meaningful shifts in hindgut fermentation pathways. Explore the peerreviewed findings here: University of Surrey.Practical takeaway: Haylage can be kind to the stomach but occasionally tricky for the hindgut. If you notice free faecal water (watery staining down the hind legs or tail), first adjust the cut (try later-cut, higher-fibre haylage, or blend with hay), and consider digestive support (yeast/pre- and probiotics).Can haylage make horses sharp, spooky or aggressive?Yes haylage typically delivers more digestible energy and protein than hay, which can translate to excess fizz in some horses, especially when stabled through short winter days.UK owner reports regularly link haylage to sharper behaviour, spookiness or even aggression, particularly in good-doers and natives on restricted work. The mechanism is simple: higher digestible energy equals more fuel. If your horse becomes too bright on haylage, switch to late-cut haylage (higher fibre, lower energy), reduce hard feed, or blend with hay to dilute total calories. Read owner experiences on Horse & Hound.Quick tip: If you change forage and see behaviour change within a week or two, adjust the forage before blaming the bit, saddle or training plan. For many horses, energy balance starts in the haynet.How to switch to haylage safelyTransition over 710 days by mixing haylage with hay, keep forage breaks to no more than 46 hours, and monitor droppings and behaviour closely for the first fortnight.Follow this simple plan for a smooth switch:Days 13: 75% hay, 25% haylage (by dry matter remember haylage is wetter; feed more by weight)Days 46: 50% hay, 50% haylageDays 710: 25% hay, 75% haylage, then move to 100% haylage if all is wellAs a rule of thumb, horses shouldnt go longer than 4 hours without forage to keep hindgut microbes happy; haylage helps by prolonging eating time. See owner discussion referencing UK welfare standards: Horse & Hound.Watch for free faecal water (damp tail, splashing on the hocks), loose droppings, or new spookiness. If any appear, slow the transition, switch to later-cut haylage, or keep a 50:50 blend. Many owners find a targeted digestive supplement steadies things when moving to fermented forages. At Just Horse Riders, we see excellent feedback for targeted yeast/prebiotic formulas in our digestive supplements collection, including options from trusted brands like NAF.Pro tip: Log a 10day diary covering net weights, turnout, droppings score, and any behaviour changes. Its the fastest way to spot a pattern and adjust calmly.Storing and steaming haylage in the UKUse opened haylage within 27 days (shorter in warm, humid or wet conditions), keep wraps puncture-free and bales dry, and consider hightemperature steaming to reduce dust/microbes and extend palatability.Once a bale is opened, oxygen gets in and the clock starts ticking. Earlycut haylage typically lasts 35 days; latecut can be shorter. In a UK winter with damp yards and big temperature swings, plan smaller purchases or share bales to stay inside the 27 day window. Guidance from Horse & Rider and Haygain emphasises quick usage to avoid aerobic spoilage and mould.Daily, inspect for punctures, warm spots, unusual odours (sour, musty, or sickly sweet), dark discolouration, or visible mould threads. Discard any suspect portions horses are extremely sensitive to mycotoxins and bacterial overgrowth. In the UKs damp climate, store opened bales off the floor, out of the rain, and in sealed containers or waterproof covers to reduce contamination.Steaming haylage at high temperature reduces respirable dust, bacteria and mould. It also helps maintain palatability and can buy you some extra safe feeding time after opening compared with leaving the forage raw. Many respiratory vets favour steaming for coughy, dustsensitive horses, especially through winter when ventilation is reduced.Quick tip: Keep a spare clean haynet for each horse so you can empty any unfinished haylage if a bale turns suspect midweek. It stops you trying to use it up and protects your horses gut.Which haylage cut to choose and when?Choose earlycut haylage in spring/summer for nutrient density and dustsensitive horses, and latecut in winter or for gooddoers to lower energy, raise fibre, and encourage longer chewing.UK weather patterns matter. In a good summer, early cuts are leafy and rich ideal for poor doers, those in higher work, or when you need extra palatability for fussy eaters. In muddy winters with less exercise, later cuts help manage calories, support gut fill, and keep horses settled at the net. Remember, latecut haylage tends to be more acidic than hay, but usually delivers lower sugar (thanks to fermentation) and higher structural fibre.The British Horse Society encourages testing forage for WSC/NSC where possible; UK labs such as Forageplus can profile your batch so you can match it to your horses needs. If your horse tends to gain weight or feel sharp on rich forage, a later cut plus more turnout and appropriate rugging will often steady energy. Explore reliable winter layers in our turnout rugs and yardfriendly options in stable rugs, with robust, wetweather choices from WeatherBeeta.Watching for free faecal water? Latecut haylage or a hay/haylage blend commonly improves it, alongside a gut supplement. Keep the hindquarters clean while you monitor changes a thorough brush and rinse routine from our grooming range makes spotting improvements much easier.Pro tip: If youre managing sugar for a laminitisprone horse, you can soak haylage for up to 812 hours to leach additional sugars; note the increased fibre may slow digestion further, so build changes in gradually and monitor weight.FAQsHow long does haylage stay in a horses digestive system compared to hay?Haylage typically moves more slowly due to higher moisture and lower fibre digestibility, with full gut transit around 23 days; hay often digests faster thanks to higher dry matter. Research presented by Kentucky Equine Research noted longer eating times and lower fibre digestibility on haylage; see The Horse.Why does haylage make my horse spooky or aggressive?Haylage usually contains more digestible energy and protein than hay, so some horses get excess fuel and feel sharper. Choose latercut haylage, reduce concentrates, or blend with hay. Owner experiences are summarised on Horse & Hound.How quickly must I use opened haylage in the UK?Use within 27 days, with 35 days typical for earlycut in cool weather; the window shortens in mild, wet or warm conditions. After that, mould and bacteria multiply rapidly once oxygen is present. See Horse & Rider and Haygain.Is haylage better for gut health than hay?It promotes longer chewing and saliva, which can support the stomach, but some horses show lower fibre digestibility and free faecal water on haylage. Steaming and gradual transitions help, and a gut supplement can stabilise the hindgut. Sources: The Horse, Haygain.Can haylage cause longterm metabolic changes?Yes a 13month UK study found distinct urinary metabolites in haylagefed ponies (e.g., higher ethylglucoside, creatinine and pcresol sulphate) compared with hay, indicating different hindgut fermentation patterns. Details: University of Surrey.Whats the maximum time without forage for UKstabled horses?No longer than about 4 hours to protect hindgut microbes and reduce ulcer risk. Haylages moisture can extend eating time between nets. Discussion and welfare references: Horse & Hound.What should I do if my haylage shows white mould or smells off?Discard it immediately. Do not try to shake off suspect areas mycotoxins and pathogens can harm your horse even if the forage looks mostly fine. Open smaller bales, store them dry, steam if needed, and keep to the 27 day window after opening.At Just Horse Riders, were here to help you finetune forage with practical, UKready solutions from gut support in our supplements range (including NAF) to seasonsmart turnout rugs, cosy stable rugs and durable options from WeatherBeeta. If youd like personalised pointers for your horse, get in touch and happy, healthy munching. Shop the Essentials Everything mentioned in this guide, ready to browse. Shop SupplementsShop NAF SupplementsShop Turnout RugsShop Stable RugsShop Grooming Kit