Feeding horses is a major expense for any barn, and when forage gets wasted, that money goes out the door along with it. Traditional loose hay may be a familiar choice, but it’s also one of the most common sources of unintentional loss. If you’re tired of sweeping up trampled hay or dealing with spoiled bales, it may be time to take a closer look at hay cubes—a more efficient, cost-effective solution that can help you reduce waste and protect your bottom line.
The Hidden Costs of Hay Waste
Loose hay is easily scattered, stepped on, soiled, or blown away by the wind. Horses often pick through it, eating only the parts they like and leaving the rest behind. Studies and real-world barn data suggest that hay waste can range anywhere from 15% to 30% of your total feed volume.
Here’s what that looks like in dollars:
- If you spend $1,000/month on hay, up to $300 of that could be going to waste
- Over a year, that’s more than $3,000 lost
- Multiply that across several horses, and the number only grows
And that’s not even counting the labor and cleanup costs associated with discarded hay.
How Hay Cubes Help Reduce Waste
Hay cubes are made from compressed, chopped forage—often alfalfa or an alfalfa-grass blend—that offers the same nutritional value in a denser, cleaner form. Here’s how they address the biggest hay waste problems:
- No Trampling: Hay cubes are fed in tubs or feeders, keeping them off the ground and away from mud, urine, or manure.
- Less Picking: Because each cube contains a consistent mix, horses can’t sort through them, which leads to more complete consumption.
- No Wind Loss: Unlike flakes of hay, cubes don’t blow away or scatter in the breeze.
- Less Spoilage: Cubes are easy to store and less prone to mold or pest damage when kept dry.
Storage and Handling Savings
Loose hay bales take up considerable space and can be difficult to manage. Hay cubes are compact, stackable, and easier to move. Their uniform shape makes portioning simple, which reduces the likelihood of overfeeding. For barns feeding multiple horses, this adds up to real savings in both feed volume and time.
Consistent Quality = Predictable Results
Another hidden source of waste is inconsistency. One bale of hay may be richer or more mature than the next, which can throw off your horse’s nutrition plan. Paramount Cubing hay cubes are made from high-quality alfalfa and alfalfa blends, processed for consistent nutrition with every scoop. That means fewer digestive upsets, less rejected feed, and more predictable performance.
The Bottom Line
Hay cubes don’t just reduce mess, they reduce loss. Whether you’re managing a large facility or feeding a few horses at home, switching to hay cubes can help you:
- Cut down on daily forage waste
- Control feeding portions
- Simplify storage and handling
- Keep your horses healthier with consistent nutrition
If you’re ready to stop wasting hay and start saving money, Paramount Cubing can help. We offer premium hay cubes in bulk, delivered direct to barns nationwide—no dealer account required.
Learn more and request pricing at paramountcubing.com
