Lump Jaw in Horses From Hay?

PasoBaby_CarolU

I have to ask what he means by "lump jaw." In my experience, lump jaw is an abscess caused by cheat grass or foxtail. I've seen cows with huge ones, lanced them and dug out the head. The cows didn't enjoy the procedure.

I've never had a similar abscess on a horse, even though I've had to feed hay with cheat or foxtail on occasion. What I found horses got instead was the cheat would dig into the gums and cheeks and give mouth sores. I've had to dig those out...and that is worse them lump jaw IMO.

It doesn't happen often. I'd inspect all new hay to make sure it has no cheat or foxtail heads in it.

If your hay is just real steemy, you might soak it. Diablo started this years ago with some steemy hay I got....he continues soaking his hay all the time IF I feed him anywhere near a water trough. MOOSE!!!!

fairhavenranch

PasoBaby_CarolU

Your hay in Colorado should be comparable to my Utah hay. I'm not sure I've seen grass like you describe. You're also close to Kansas and should be able to get nice grass hay.

Check your manure (well, not yours, your horses') and see how chopped it gets. If it's longer then 3/4" I'd soak the hay to soften it before feeding.

The reason that hay causes colic is that those stems irritate the intestines and colon because it is stiff. If you presoak and soften it, the horse can chew it up well and it won't cause that problem.

fairhavenranch

PasoBaby_CarolU

At that price you might look at Standlee hay or pellets at your feed store. Hay should not cost so much, we had a good hay year.

I can get square bales (830 lbs) of high quality hay for $75. Maybe you need another hay source. Half of Colorado is farm land. You should not have a problem. I know lots of people in Colorado, none have ever expressed your problem.

bit

I can check into hay for you here. I know my friend was selling brom hay for 4 dollars a bale. It was nice hay. I've never seen bad hay here. I can check around for you. We also have big round bales, which are nice, too. Might be worth the fuel to drive here. Let me know, and I'll make some calls. I'm in N.E. Kansas.

fairhavenranch

carefreegirl

after reading this I am feeling very lucky that I was able to buy 3 tons of alfalfa/grass mix hay at $80/ton which worked out to be about $2.67 per bale from a neighbor of my brother's who had more then he needed to feed his fjords. We had to go get it and stack it ourselves; I already felt lucky but now i feel extra lucky after reading about your woes. There was another guy I almost bought from that delivered and stacked for $120 or something like that per ton, maybe you could try Idaho, or Wyoming for your hay needs? though I am sure they would charge a bit more for delivering that far, though if you bought more they seem to charge less, giving bulk deals. Good Luck.

fairhavenranch

fairhavenranch