Recognising hay quality: colour, smell and analysis

What colour tells you about your hay

Good hay has a golden-yellow to light-green colour. A fresh green tint indicates early-cut grass with a high nutritional value, while light yellow indicates slightly more mature hay that is still perfectly usable. Brown or grey batches are a warning sign: that hay has probably got wet during drying, was cut overripe or was stored poorly. Such a batch can contain mould and is of little value to your horse. Also look for an even colour throughout the bale — colour differences within a single bale often indicate uneven drying.

Smell and structure: how to assess them

Smell the hay before you buy or feed it. Good hay smells fresh, lightly herby and dry — a bit like a summer meadow. A musty, sour or earthy smell indicates mould formation or fermentation. Never feed such hay, even if it looks fine on the outside. Also check the structure: the stems should not be crumbly or dusty. Break a handful of stems — they should be firm but not woody. Dust when shaking hay is a clear signal: your horse inhales those particles, which can cause respiratory problems or worsen existing airway complaints.

Five signs of poor hay quality

• Brown or grey discolouration throughout the bale
• Musty, sour or mouldy smell
• Lots of dust when shaking or unpacking
• Visible mould fuzz, white or black in colour
• Presence of poisonous plants such as ragwort

When is a laboratory analysis worthwhile?

A visual assessment gives a first impression, but tells you nothing about the sugar content (WSC), protein content or mineral balance. An analysis is certainly worthwhile in these situations:

• Your horse has EMS, insulin resistance or laminitis — a WSC below 10% is then essential
• You are routinely feeding hay from a single supplier and want to fine-tune the ration precisely
• Your horse is losing weight despite sufficient roughage
• You want to know whether additional mineral supplements are needed
• You are buying a large batch and want to know what you are getting

How to request an analysis

Take a representative sample from multiple bales — probe at least ten bales with a hay corer and mix the samples. Send approximately 200 grams to a certified laboratory. In the Netherlands, Eurofins and Blgg are reliable options; costs range between €40 and €80 for a basic package. After a week you will have results for dry matter, crude protein, crude fibre, sugars and energy value (VEM). Record the results in the EquiSight horse profile so that your ration is automatically kept up to date and you can compare results later.

Storage determines quality just as much

Hay that was good at purchase can deteriorate quickly with poor storage. Store bales on pallets or boards, never directly on the concrete floor — otherwise moisture will draw up through the bottom. Ensure adequate ventilation and protection from rain and sun. Covering with a tarpaulin is fine, but make sure air circulation is possible. With round bales stored outside you lose on average 10 to 30% of the feed value due to weather exposure. Use older hay first and regularly check the inside of bales that have been sitting for a while.

Tracking hay quality in EquiSight

In the horse profile you record the origin, cutting date and any analysis results for each roughage batch. EquiCoach uses that data to flag whether the current hay matches your horse's needs — and alerts you if something is not right. Also set a calendar reminder for when you start a new batch of hay, so you can send in a new sample in time or call a supplier.