Donna Foulk – Penn State Equine Team Educator

The information has been provided by the following contributors:

Dan Undersander, University of Wisconsin, Marvin Hall, The Pennsylvania State University, Richard Leap, Michigan State University, Krishna Martinson, University of Minnesota, J. Liv.

Sandberg, University of Wisconsin, Glenn Stewmaker, University of Idaho, Don Westerhaus,

Kemin AgriFoods North America, Lon Whitlow, North Carolina State University, Les Vough, University of Maryland

Mold

Much hay has been rained on or left lying in the field for prolonged time periods due to cool and humid conditions. The long drying periods with high humidity can allow field growth of mold on the hay.

Rain and poor drying weather has caused some hay to be baled wetter than desired. With high humidity, normal drying in storage may not occur and hay can retain elevated levels of moisture allowing mold growth. Mold and bacteria will grow on hay (without preservative added) at moisture levels above 14% to 15%. The mold growth produces heat, carbon dioxide and water which further damages the hay. Moldy hay can result in dry matter and nutrient loss and produce spores and dust. Drying of stored hay is enhanced by increasing ventilation, creating air spaces between bales, reducing stack size, and stacking in alternating directions. Since moisture tends to move up and out the top of a stack of bales, ample head space should be provided above a stack in a barn, allowing moisture to evaporate.

Molds commonly found in hay include Alternaria, Aspergillus, Cladosporum, Fusarium, Mucor, Penicillium, and Rhizopus. These molds can produce spores that cause respiratory problems, especially in horses and, under some conditions, will produce mycotoxins.

Horses are particularly sensitive to dust from mold spores and can get a respiratory disease called Recurrent Airway Obstruction (RAO), commonly referred to as heaves. A horse with RAO will have a normal temperature and a good appetite, but will often have decreased exercise tolerance, coughing and nasal discharge. Labored breathing occurs during exercise and, in some cases, while at rest. Some horses are highly allergic to certain mold spores while others seem to be minimally affected. Strategies to reduce dust exposure are as follows:

§ Do not feed dusty and moldy hay and grains.

§ Keep horses outside as much as possible.

§ Place feed at a lower level so particles are not inhaled through the nostrils.

§ Feed hay outside to minimize dust problems.

§ In severe cases, hay may be replaced by hay cubes.

§ Soak dusty hay for 5 to 30 minutes before feeding so that the horse can eat it while it's wet.

§ Store hay away from your horse as much as possible and ensure any hay in the vicinity is kept dry to reduce mold.

§ If the horse is housed indoors, ensure that there is good, draft-free ventilation through the stable.

Mycotoxins

High moisture hay can also lead to the proliferation of bacteria, molds, and fungus that can produce mycotoxins that are dangerous to horses and other livestock species. Some forage laboratories will test for the presence of mold and mycotoxins. If hay is moldy do not feed it.

Although the effects of mycotoxins on horses are not well documented in scientific literature, in field situations apparent mycotoxin problems appear to be significant. Mycotoxins have been implicated in a variety of health problems including colic, neurological disorders, paralysis, hypersensitivity, and brain lesions. The cumulative effect of feeding low levels of mycotoxins may also contribute to a gradual deterioration of organ functions. Other symptoms of mycotoxins in forages include:

1. Intake reduction or feed refusal

2. Reduced nutrient absorption and impaired metabolism, including altered digestion and microbial growth, diarrhea, intestinal irritation, reduced production, lower fertility, abortions, lethargy, and increased morbidity

3. Alterations in the endocrine and exocrine systems

4. Suppression of the immune system which predisposes horses to many diseases. Cellular death causing organ damage

Propionic Acid

Some hay growers apply preservatives (organic acids, yeast cultures, enzymes, etc.) to prevent the growth of the bacteria and fungi that sometimes cause heat, musty odor and mold in inadequately dried hay. Most preservatives applied to horse hay contain organic acids that are the same as those found in the horse’s gastrointestinal tract. Propionic and acetic acid, the most common organic acids in hay preservatives, are produced naturally in the cecum and colon of the horse as a result of microbial digestion of fibrous feeds. These organic acids can be used as mold inhibitors and applied when hay is not yet dry enough to bale safely, but rain is coming and the crop may be lost if not baled early. Studies have shown a decrease in the heating and molding of hay during storage with the use of preservatives.

A study conducted at the University of Illinois found that yearlings receiving hay treated with a mixture of propionic and acetic acids consumed just as much hay and gained just as much weight over a one-month feeding trial as yearling’s consuming untreated hay. Clinical measures of the horses’ wellbeing were not affected by consumption of preservative-treated hay, indicating that the hay had no negative effects on the horses. A study conducted at Cornell University showed that when given a choice, horses preferred untreated alfalfa over alfalfa that had been treated with a mixture of propionic and acetic acid. However, when only given the choice of acid treated hay, the horses readily consumed it. Thus, after a short conditioning period, horses will consume acid-treated hay.

However, caution should be used when feeding hay that was baled at very high moisture levels, using higher levels of propionic acid. It is important to let that hay cure for several weeks so that the acid has time to dissipate and the hay has a chance to cure. This is especially true when feeding large round and square bales. There have been suspected cases of colic when horses were fed hay baled at very high moisture levels (29%) containing high levels of acid.

According to noted equine nutritionist, Kathleen Crandall, if hay is baled with a low moisture content, less than 12%, it can be fed right away, and horses shouldn’t have any problem with it. Two to four weeks of curing time might be important if the hay was too wet when it was baled. Wet hay typically goes through a fermentative state, of sorts, and it would not be good for the horse to eat it while this was happening.

Storing High Moisture Hay Treated With Propionic Acid.

Caution! Hay that is baled at high moisture levels should not be stored beneath or next to hay that was baled at appropriate moisture levels without the addition of an acid preservative. The moisture dissipating from the acid treated hay can move into the dry hay and cause it to mold.