If there is one thing I’ve learned from my experience in the agriculture industry, it is that almost nothing is more divisive than the subject of horses. You either love them or you hate them; there simply is no in-between. Almost everyone has one specific story as to why they feel so strongly about their decision, but across the board strong feelings are imminent whenever horses are mentioned.
I happen to fall on the side that horses will always hold a special place in my heart. I find beauty in the bond between such a large animal and a human and the way they can work together. From the ground or on horseback, I admire the trust that can be built between two living things and think that form of communication and trust is a gift bestowed upon some more than others.
As much as I love them, I understand the contempt some harbor for them. Nothing is more frustrating than watching a horse gallop across a pasture with a saddle on its back without a rider as the rider chases the horse, all while the herd of cows watch from afar just thankful that it isn’t them in that position. Nothing is more infuriating than a horse that refuses to stand while you attempt to throw a leg over. Most importantly, nothing is more discouraging than seeing the price tag for the purchase and upkeep of a horse that isn't worth your time.
I think these strong feelings are where the intimidation comes from. As hay producers, no one wants to be on the wrong side of a horse owner. All the money and time that’s been invested in that horse can be daunting, and making sure they receive the proper nutrition is important to both growers and horse owners.
This issue includes a few articles on how to navigate the definition of horse-quality hay, what to consider when growing for the horse market and some common myths surrounding horse hay. I hope these articles help bridge the gap between buyers and growers and make each other understand each other a little bit better.
The goal here is to start a conversation and make something that seems daunting a bit easier for you if you wish to break into the horse hay market; after all, you’d hate to be sitting in the dirt watching a horse run off with what could be large profit gains for you.
In the meantime, I encourage you to read and decide if marketing horse-quality hay is for you, and if it’s not, I encourage you to spend some time thinking about what other daunting task you would like to start a conversation about. After all, it may be as simple as just taking a single lesson to get you hooked.
