How Long Can I Store Horse Hay?

Hay exposed to moisture and the elements will go bad more quickly than hay that is properly stored.

Properly stored hay lasts longer

Hay stored in a dry, covered area that does not have contact with moist ground will stay usable for at least 18 months. Hay stored outside, in the elements or touching the ground is more likely to become unusable because of mold and bacteria caused by moisture.

Hay loses nutritional value as it ages

The longer hay is stored, even in optimal conditions, the more of its nutrients are lost. The University of Minnesota's agriculture program has determined that hay stored for 12 to 18 months loses a significant amount of quality and dry matter.

Bottom Line

The fresher the hay is, the more nutrients it will have and the more benefit the horse will get from consuming it. Horse hay that is stored properly can be kept in storage for as long as you feel it remains usable, but by the end of two years it will have lost a significant amount of its nutritional value.

References

• University of Minnesota: Preserving the value of dry stored hay
• University of Maryland: Horse Hay Quality and Selection