Local independent nutritionist Clare MacLeod MSc RNutr offers some professional advice on this year's crops.

Our interesting summer weather has prompted many to ask What will we do about winter forage shortages?' The price of preserved forage will probably remain high, but if our sunny spells continue, there should be enough to go round.

  • How has our summer weather affected hay and haylage-making?

Preserving forage after cutting involves drying it on the ground to a specific dry matter, usually at least 88 per cent for hay, and 65 per cent for horse haylage.

At this point it is baled (if hay) or baled and wrapped to exclude air and allow fermentation (if haylage).

Ideally, a long enough period of dry sunny weather is needed to dry the crop adequately.

The wet weather in the middle of the summer meant that many forage crops were left standing in the field for much longer than planned, allowing the grass to mature.

More mature grass is lower in nutrients - especially protein and energy - than younger grass, so August-cut hay will be less nutritious than usual.

Hay or haylage that was caught by the rain and soaked while on the ground may be even lower in nutritional value due to nutrients being washed out, and the haylage fermentation may be poor, due to a lack of sugar in the wilted grass.

Hay that was rained on during drying is likely to be of poor hygienic quality, due to the development of mould spores.

Such hay is not suitable for horses, but if it is the only option, should be soaked for half an hour before being fed. Any hay with visible mould should not be fed to horses because they are particularly susceptible to both mould and mycotoxins - poisonous substances produced by moulds in specific conditions.

It is possible that this year's forage may have higher levels of mycotoxins than usual if it was made during periods of warm, wet weather.

Note that all UK-made hay contains some dust and mould spores, and should be soaked for 10-30 minutes before being fed to horses, in stables or out at pasture.

  • How will our horses be affected?

Late-cut hay and haylage is simply lower in nutrients, which is very useful for ponies, good doers and horses in no or light work.

Hay that has not had ideal drying conditions may be of poor hygienic quality due to mould spores, and is not ideal for horses.

Try to find forage that was dried and baled during sunny periods, and do not buy forage unseen.

Ideally, see and smell to check for mouldiness. Hay should smell clean and have no visible moulding. If in doubt, forage can be analysed for dust and mould spores (contact the author for more information). Well-made haylage is free from mould spores and is a good alternative to the extra time, water wastage and inconvenience of soaking hay.

  • What if we cannot source enough forage?

There are alternatives to hay and haylage, although some are very expensive.

For good doers and ponies with efficient dental function, straw can be fed as part of the forage ration.

Introduce it gradually and offer water at all times, to avoid gut problems. Hay replacement chaffs, which are usually blends of chopped straw and quick-dried alfalfa or grass with light coatings of oil and molasses to bind dust, are another alternative.

Do not be tempted to restrict fibrous forage and rely on more compound feed because horses have a dietary requirement for fibre and a need to chew - and they could develop digestive problems and abnormal behaviour such as wood-chewing or cribbing if fed too little forage.

However, do make use of high fibre compound feeds and fibre-rich sugar beet pulp this winter.

  • Clare MacLeod MSc RNutr is an independent equine nutritionist who is registered with the Nutrition Society, and runs her consultancy from Swindon. Visit www.equinenutritionist.co.uk for more information, or call Clare on 01793 722468.