When buying horse hay, you must pick between square and round bales. There are pros and cons to each option. At the end of the day, it’s a personal choice and will greatly depend on your unique farm situation. There’s no right or wrong choice here!
Square Bales
Pros
- Small and lightweight, making them easier to carry around
- Easy to stack and store
- Less hay waste
- Easier to control your horse’s intake
- You can take a bale or two to a show or overnight trip
- Works well with a variety of slow feeders
Cons
- More expensive
- Time consuming to stack
- Sells out faster and may be hard to find in the winter
- More labor intensive to feed
Round Bales
Pros
- Cheaper
- Can last a week or two, depending on your herd size
- Perfect for pasture kept horses
- Easy to find year-round
- Can be used with a slow feeder net
Cons
- Need a tractor to move
- Requires lots of storage space
- Will be exposed to weather unless kept under a shelter
When deciding between the two, you’ll need to consider the type of horses you have (stalled or field kept) and what kind of equipment is available to you.