ORGANIC HAYFrom an Article that appeared in Local Rider Magazine - UK.
Picture: Moon Gazing Daisies (Oxeye Daisy) in the hay fields at Stone Circle Livery
Organic hay offers equines many benefits over conventionally produced hay. The best method of reducing exposure to potentially harmful pesticides would be to consume organically grown hay, where their use is avoided. In addition to this, Nitrogen is not added to fields to increase yields and in turn this chemical is not entering your horse. Organic hay is GM-free and most importantly it has to be certified organic by a certification body like the Soil Association.
Organic certification is not an easy process and takes at least two years under the current Soil Association rules. Inspections are regular and the practices and procedures are heavily regulated.
Susi Anderson, the Livery Manager at the UK’s first and only fully organic livery yard, Stone Circle Livery in Kent, grows her own organic hay. “We see the quality of our organic hay as one of the key principles behind our equine business. Nothing is added to the hay fields so the whole process is totally natural and free from artificial intervention. Weeds are hand pulled and no weed killers are used at all. We never use Nitrogen and we follow the strict practices of the Soil Association who are our certifying body” she said.
Susi added,” We have seen a large increase in horse owners looking for natural products and organic hay is in huge demand from those who understand the benefits for their horses”. In general, demand is outstripping the available supply as many of the organic farms that make organic hay use it for their own livestock so have little left over for the needs of horse owners. Susi’s advice is to visit http://www.whyorganic.org/ and find a farm in your area that makes organic hay and ask the farmer before the hay is made to put some aside for you. This will help the farmer manage his supply and ensure you get enough for your horse.
Susi points out that organic hay can only be classed as organic if it has been certified as organic. “Many people think organic means that because they may not have used a weed killer it is organic – it isn’t. If you are being offered organic hay ask who the certification body is and if you are still unsure as to the genuine quality of the hay ask to see the organic certificate it relates to. Any genuine supplier would only be too happy and proud to show their organic certificate and license as they take a lot of work to attain”. If you would like to find out more about the organic way of life for your horse you can visit http://www.stonecirclelivery.com/ or email info@stonecirclelivery.com
Organic hay offers equines many benefits over conventionally produced hay. The best method of reducing exposure to potentially harmful pesticides would be to consume organically grown hay, where their use is avoided. In addition to this, Nitrogen is not added to fields to increase yields and in turn this chemical is not entering your horse. Organic hay is GM-free and most importantly it has to be certified organic by a certification body like the Soil Association.
Organic certification is not an easy process and takes at least two years under the current Soil Association rules. Inspections are regular and the practices and procedures are heavily regulated.
Susi Anderson, the Livery Manager at the UK’s first and only fully organic livery yard, Stone Circle Livery in Kent, grows her own organic hay. “We see the quality of our organic hay as one of the key principles behind our equine business. Nothing is added to the hay fields so the whole process is totally natural and free from artificial intervention. Weeds are hand pulled and no weed killers are used at all. We never use Nitrogen and we follow the strict practices of the Soil Association who are our certifying body” she said.
Susi added,” We have seen a large increase in horse owners looking for natural products and organic hay is in huge demand from those who understand the benefits for their horses”. In general, demand is outstripping the available supply as many of the organic farms that make organic hay use it for their own livestock so have little left over for the needs of horse owners. Susi’s advice is to visit http://www.whyorganic.org/ and find a farm in your area that makes organic hay and ask the farmer before the hay is made to put some aside for you. This will help the farmer manage his supply and ensure you get enough for your horse.
Susi points out that organic hay can only be classed as organic if it has been certified as organic. “Many people think organic means that because they may not have used a weed killer it is organic – it isn’t. If you are being offered organic hay ask who the certification body is and if you are still unsure as to the genuine quality of the hay ask to see the organic certificate it relates to. Any genuine supplier would only be too happy and proud to show their organic certificate and license as they take a lot of work to attain”. If you would like to find out more about the organic way of life for your horse you can visit http://www.stonecirclelivery.com/ or email info@stonecirclelivery.com
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