Horse News & Views - October 2008

Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs

• The wet weather has provided ideal conditions for growth of annual weeds, made the drying and storage of hay difficult, and will lead to a number of problems that will affect horses throughout the winter, e.g., heaves, and into next summer in the form of weedy pastures.
  
  

  • As a horse owner, if you have not already obtained adequate supplies of small, dry, square bales of hay for the winter, then expect that the availability will be limited and prices will be significantly higher.

  • Much of the 2008 hay crop received some rain damage or was made into wrapped/bagged haylage or treated with preservatives. Refer to the information sheet Hay, Haylage and Treated Hay for Horses for advice on feeding these commodities.

  • The wet summer also resulted in significant growth of fusarium mold in wheat and grain crops and the straw from these crops. Information on this topic can be found in the information sheet Molds, Mycotoxins and Their Effect on Horses.

  • What we won't see until next year, and for the next 5 to 7 years, is the result of an abundance of annual weeds, such as foxtail, mustard and ragweed. These plants proliferated this year and, if left unchecked and allowed to go to seed, will result in weedy conditions in upcoming seasons.
    
    

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