Humidity and hay in central Florida

[FlAppaloosa]

I have been having trouble with my hay feeling damp. It's normally just on the outside but I've heard not to feed horses damp hay. Normally we don't have a problem keeping the hay dry in the barn but lately the humidity has been horrible and everything is damp. My horse is older, I think 34 now. My question is, do I toss the entire bail and if so what can I do to help keep the moisture off the hay?

 

[farmerjan]

Damp hay is not a problem... it is if it is wet and has started to mold/get musty smelling. If the hay smells okay to you, then it will be okay if damp is all the problem is. If it is sitting on the ground, it will pick up a musty smell. That leads to dampness that will mold. Has to be stored up off the floor so some air can circulate around/under it. Concrete floors will draw moisture, so has to be up off concrete.

Other than storing it up on a pallet, or a 2nd floor loft, with a wood floor, in a barn, covering it with a tarp to keep the dampness from settling on it is about all you can do. But do not leave it in the sun where it can get condensation under a tarp either. If you were to cover it at night to keep dampness off, if the sun is on it during the day then it should be uncovered so it can breathe and not mold.
The hay being a little damp ought to make it a little "softer" for the older horse to eat so actually be a little easier on it's mouth and gums. but not musty damp hay.....
If you can, open the bale up so it is not tight, so if it does get a little damp, it can stay aired out some.