Forage forms the foundation of every horse’s diet, and on a stud or breeding yard, its importance is even greater. Broodmares, breeding stallions and working stallions have specific nutritional demands that must be met to support fertility, performance, and overall health. Haylage is more widely used in such situations – and with good reason since it brings several benefits over dry hay and hay replacers. Read on for our practical guide for feeding haylage on stud yards.
Benefits of Haylage for Broodmares and Stallions
Supports Nutritional Demands of Broodmares and Stallions
Broodmares in late pregnancy and lactation have higher energy and protein requirements to support foetal growth and milk production. Haylage typically contains more digestible energy and protein than mature hay, making it an ideal forage option (Harris et al., 2017).
Breeding stallions, whether active or at rest, benefit from the consistent nutritional profile of good quality haylage. It supplies essential fibre while offering better digestibility compared to mature, dry hay, which can help maintain condition without over-reliance on concentrates (Longland et al., 2011). This is especially useful for working stallions who require controlled energy to support fitness without excessive excitability.
High Palatability & Digestibility
For good doers prone to weight gain, careful rationing is still possible. You can do so buy selecting lower energy varieties, such as Baillie Haylage High Fibre, and controlling intake by weight. Conversely, poor doers — such as older mares or high-demand lactating mares — often consume haylage more readily due to its softness and fragrance, supporting better feed intake. Baillie Haylage Ryegrass & Timothy is beneficial to those that need a little more energy through their forage and the timothy grass offers increased palatability and fibre content.
Reduced Respiratory Risk
The higher moisture content of haylage significantly reduces airborne dust and spores, compared to dry hay. By absorbing potentially harmful spores, this helps maintain respiratory health, especially important in enclosed yards or for horses with sensitive airways, allergies or respiratory difficulties.
Practical Considerations for Feeding Haylage
Storage and Handling
Haylage is baled at higher moisture (20–40%) and wrapped to ferment. Once a bale is opened, it should be used within 3–7 days, depending on weather conditions, to avoid spoilage (Moore-Colyer, 2000). Due to the nature of the packaging all three Baillie Haylage bale sizes can be stored either indoors or outdoors, though we recommend storing haylage out of direct sunlight in the hot summer months. Bales must be kept free of damage and particular care must be taken to ensure accidental damage cannot be caused by birds, dogs, cats or other animals.
Weighing and Portion Control
Haylage has a higher water content which means a slightly greater volume is needed to deliver the same dry matter intake as hay. We should aim to feed 2% of the horse's bodyweight in dry matter daily, adjusting for condition and workload. Portable weigh scales are practical tools for managing portions.
Haylage and Stud Performance
The higher nutritional density in haylage can reduce the reliance on cereal-based concentrates, which may contribute to metabolic issues and excitability in breeding stock. Its fibre content supports gut motility and fermentation, promoting digestive health — a key factor for both fertility and temperament (Argo et al., 2015).
Sourcing consistent, hygienic haylage is paramount. Forage testing for nutrient content and hygienic quality ensures suitability for pregnant mares and breeding stallions. Working with Baillie Haylage, who provide forage analysis, can help tailor feeding regimes to individual and seasonal needs.
Conclusion
Haylage is an excellent forage option for stud and breeding farms. Offering improved digestibility, palatability, and respiratory advantages, haylage supports the health, welfare, and performance of broodmares and stallions, as well as youngstock. If you would like more information on feeding haylage on stud yards, contact us. Our team are always happy to help.
Written by Hannah Williams, MSc, BSc, PGCE, BHS ISM. Equine Nutrition Lecturer at Bishop Burton University Centre.
References
Argo, C.McG., Curtis, G.C., Grove-White, D., Dugdale, A.H.A., Harris, P.A. and Barfoot, C.F. (2015) ‘Prevalence and risk factors for hyperinsulinaemia in ponies’, Equine Veterinary Journal, 47(2), pp. 196–201.
Harris, P.A., Ellis, A.D., Fradinho, M.J., Jansson, A., Julliand, V., Luthersson, N. and Santos, A.S. (2017) ‘Review: Feeding conserved forage to horses: recent advances and recommendations’, Animal, 11(6), pp. 958–967.
Longland, A.C., Byrd, B.M. and McGowan, C.M. (2011) ‘Pasture non-structural carbohydrates and equine laminitis’, Journal of Nutrition, 141(7), pp. 1745S–1751S.
Moore-Colyer, M.J.S. (2000) ‘Fibre intake and the effect on equine digestive physiology’, Equine Veterinary Education, 12(2), pp. 62–69.