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

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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

bales cowgirl magazine

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.

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