Jessica Jahiel's HORSE-SENSE Newsletter Archives

Hay transport

From: Debbie Meyers

Hi Jessica,

I often see tractor trailers carrying loads of hay on the freeway. Most often they are moderately covered with tarp. Since hay is susceptible to molds and mildew, is this type of transport wise? (I live in outside of Seattle, and we get a lot of rain.)

Thank you for your time! Debbie

Hi Debbie -- what a good question! I don't think you need to worry about the hay, though -- tightly-packed bales would need to fall into a river to get wet through. Even Seattle rain isn't likely to reach the inside of a bale, no matter how much the tarp flaps.

The danger of mold and mildew in hay -- like the danger of fire -- arises when the hay is BALED when it's wet. Hay that's baled dry and transported by truck, with or without rain, and with or without tarp, should be fine.

Another thing to consider is that not all hay is intended for horses. Cows can eat hay that would kill horses -- moldy, mildewed, or sunburned hay that horses won't, can't, or shouldn't eat can be fed to cattle without causing a problem. Cattle have vastly more efficient (and tolerant) digestive systems than do horses. They are commonly given hay that isn't good enough to be sold to horse barns -- and hay that is rejected by the owners or managers of horse barns.

Most hay suppliers are honest people, who depend on regular customers. When a load of hay arrives at its destination, the buyers are free to say "Yes, this is lovely, thank you" OR "No, this is moldy, it won't do" OR "I don't want THESE fifty bales, but the rest is just fine." If the outside layer of hay is soaked with rain, the buyer might choose to keep it and let it dry -- or send it back.

Jessica

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