Hay Purchasing 101

 1)      Know what your animals require. It’s important to have knowledge of how much hay and what nutritional requirements your animal(s) need to help you determine how much and what kind of hay best suits them.

2)      Ask your supplier for their hay analysis. To ensure the hay you buy is premium horse hay and not poor quality ditch baled hay, request a feed analysis. A feed analysis provides a comprehensive evaluation of the quality and nutritional value of your feed so that you can be sure the hay you are buying will meet the dietary needs of your horse.

3)      Good customers = Good Hay Supplier. Loyalty and repeat business is rewarded by hay suppliers. Just as you want a reliable supplier, businesses appreciate reliable customers. Ask yourself, when hay availability is low, does your supplier work to ensure they still have product to supply you year round?

4)      Choose a reputable seller. Not all sellers are equal, choosing a reputable hay supplier can save you. Ask your network for trusted recommendations or ask a potential seller for references you can speak to.

5)      Buy the best quality hay you can afford. Higher quality feed require less volume to sustain optimal health in your horse and your horses will waste less. The old adage still rings true, you get what you pay for. Better feed = less waste and lower costs to sustain your horses weight and health. Lower quality feed = a lower per bale price, but more waste and more hay consumed to maintain a healthy weight plus the potential for additional costly nutritional supplementation requirements.

6)      Not all bales are equal. Check the bale weight from your supplier, weight can vary substantially and thus impact the value in volume you are receiving per bale purchased. When purchasing hay make sure that a good percentage of the crop has been accurately weighed on a legal scale.

7)      Look for hay stored in sheds. Hay left to the elements can deteriorate rapidly, especially in large round bales, where the first 6 inches of a round bale represent 30% of the bale volume. Hay kept under shed maintains nutritional value and quality for years.

8)      Hay Guarantees. Reputable hay suppliers stand by their product. Look for sellers who guarantee to replace bad bottoms or poor quality hay.

9)      Consider Community Support & Giving Back. Community support and involvement is critical to regional events, clubs and charitable organizations. Look for suppliers that support your local community in different ways.