Fresh cut forages are mostly water, and that matters for fermentation and feeding.

What’s in the cup? Not a beverage, but the water content of your forage. If you’ve spent time around horses, you know hay and silage aren’t just about crunch or aroma. They’re about how much water is riding along with those leaves and stems. Here’s a straightforward nugget to keep in mind: fresh cut forages typically contain about 75-80% water. That’s a lot of moisture that shapes everything from fermentation to how your horses feel after a bite.

Let me explain why that matters, bit by bit.

Why water content matters, plain and simple

Water is not a backdrop; it’s an active player in feed. When forage is high in moisture, the dry matter (DM) portion—the stuff that carries most of the nutrients—becomes a smaller share of what your horse actually consumes. For horses, that means feed energy density can feel “lighter” even if the total calories stay similar, because a big scoop is mostly water.

But it’s not just about energy. Water content influences:

• Digestion and passage: More water in the feed tends to speed up fermentation in storage and can change how the feed moves through the gut.

• Palatability and intake: Horses often eat based on texture and moisture. Very dry feed can be less inviting, while too-wet forage can feel sloppy and unappealing if it’s not well managed.

• Fermentation and storage: In silage, moisture sets the stage for which microbes win the race. Too much moisture invites unwanted bacteria; too little can stall fermentation.

Putting numbers on the feel: fresh vs. dry matter

To make sense of those percentages, it helps to think in two currencies: water content and dry matter. If fresh forage is 75-80% water, that leaves 20-25% as dry matter. The dry matter is where the energy, fiber, minerals, and proteins live. So, a forage that’s nearly all water won’t deliver as much nutrient punch per scoop, even if your horse happily chews for a long time.

That doesn’t mean moist forage is bad; it means you have to balance it. In practice, you’ll hear terms like DM and moisture tossed around by nutritionists, riders, and farmers. The trick is to know which end of the spectrum you’re on and adjust your feeding plan accordingly.

Fermentation, moisture, and silage: what really happens

If you’ve ever walked by a silage pit or a bale of haylage, you’ve basically watched a controlled microbe party. The moisture level of fresh forage is a big guest list organizer. When forage carries about 75-80% water, there’s enough moisture for lactic acid bacteria to do their thing, producing acids that preserve the forage and keep spoilage organisms at bay.

But it’s a balancing act. If moisture is too high, you risk clostridial fermentation, which can reduce palatability and nutrient availability. If it’s too low, fermentation slows, pH stays higher, and spoilage becomes a real threat. The sweet spot helps you lock in nutrients while keeping the forage stable for storage and later feeding.

Harvest timing, wilting, and moisture control

Harvest timing is a practical lever you can pull to influence moisture. Younger, tender forage often carries more moisture, while letting plants wilt a bit before baling or grinding can drop the DM percentage to more manageable levels. Here’s a simple way to think about it:

• Fresh cut, high moisture (near 75-80%): great for quick harvests, tends to ferment readily if managed, but watch density and coverage in the storage area.

• Moderately wilted (mid-DM range): better for bale density and silage stability, with fewer risks of overly rapid fermentation or spoilage.

• Very dry (low moisture): easier to handle and store, but fermentation is slow and energy density per bite can feel brighter because there’s more DM per scoop.

If you’re evaluating forage in the field or barn, ask a few practical questions: Is the forage blooming with moisture on the leaves? Does it hold together when squeezed? Is it easy to compact in the storage format you’re using? These clues map back to that moisture figure and help you predict how the feed will behave when the bucket hits the trough.

Practical implications for feeding horses

Water content changes the math of every feeding plan. Consider these familiar-sounding yet crucial pointers:

• Energy density matters: With 75-80% water, the energy per pound of fresh forage is lower than in drier stuff. If you’re feeding a horse with high energy needs, you’ll likely pair fresh forage with concentrates or add drier forage to boost the overall DM content per meal.

• Hydration and gut fill: The water in fresh forage helps with hydration and can fill the gut a bit, which is useful for horses that need a steady, comfortable feed that doesn’t create a big spike in volume all at once.

• Palatability and acceptance: Horses tend to prefer forage with a balanced moisture profile—neither too wet nor too dry. A well-managed moisture level can improve intake and consistency.

• Storage and feeding logistics: Wet forage ferments differently than dry hay. If you’re feeding haylage or silage, be mindful of mold risk, sealing integrity, and the time the feed stays in contact with air after opening.

A few bite-sized tips you can try

• Know your DM target: If you’re aiming for a certain DM content, think in terms of moisture. For silage beefed up with hay, you might target around 30-40% DM in the mix, but in pure fresh forages, plan for 75-80% water.

• Test, don’t guess: If you have access to a simple forage moisture meter or can send a sample to a lab, you’ll get a clearer read on where your batch lands. Quick checks in the field—like how it compresses, how it smells, and how long it takes to wilt—also provide useful clues.

• Balance the team: Fresh forage isn’t the only player. Combine wetter forage with drier elements to hit your desired DM range and to tailor energy delivery to the horse’s needs.

• Be mindful of weather: Rainy harvests push moisture up; dry spells push it down. Adjust harvest timing when possible to keep the forage within a comfortable moisture window.

Storage, safety, and handling basics

Moisture in forage influences more than digestion—it shapes storage safety too. High moisture feeds can ferment quickly, which is great when you want to preserve feed, but it also means you need good sealing, adequate compaction, and a clean, dry environment to avoid unwanted pathogens. If you see clumps, a sour smell, or unexpected mold, it’s a sign to reassess moisture, airflow, and sealing. A small change in moisture management can pivot the whole batch from quality feed to something you’d rather pass on.

In everyday practice, you’ll notice a few patterns:

• Silage and haylage bags or bunkers respond to moisture with distinct aroma and texture cues. A fresh, slightly sweet scent and a uniform, moist texture can indicate a healthy fermentation.

• Dry bales of hay are easier to store but potentially harder to handle if they crumble or shed dust. If a bale feels brittle, moisture is likely low and the energy-dense fiber might be a bit too sparse for certain horses.

• Mistakes with moisture show up in palatability or digestion. If horses hesitate at the feedroom door or show signs of discomfort after a meal, it might be worth rechecking the forage’s moisture and DM balance.

A quick reality check for riders and keepers

Let’s bring this home with a simple mindset you can carry to the barn every day. When you assess fresh cut forages, ask yourself:

• Is the moisture level appropriate for the storage method and the horse’s needs?

• Does the forage feel like it will pack well enough in the storage format I’m using without trapping air or creating pockets where spoilage can start?

• Will the DM content help me reach my nutrition goals for this horse without adding unnecessary bulk?

The answer to the core question

Here’s the bottom line you can carry in your pocket: fresh cut forages typically contain about 75-80% water. That means roughly one-quarter of the forage is dry matter, where the nutrients live, and three-quarters is moisture that shapes fermentation, density, and how the feed behaves in the horse’s gut. Knowing this helps you reason through harvesting timing, storage choices, and feeding plans with clarity.

Bringing it all together: a holistic view

Moisture isn’t a standalone detail; it’s a thread that ties field practices to barn routines and, most importantly, to how a horse performs. You’re balancing freshness with stability, energy with hydration, and ease of handling with palatability. It’s a bit like cooking a good sauce: you want the water to help flavors come through without thinning the dish too much. In forage terms, you want that 75-80% hydration to support a healthy fermentation when you’re preserving forage and a steady, nourishing intake when you’re feeding it.

If you enjoy a good analogy, think of fresh cut forage as a dynamic duo: water keeps things fluid and accessible, while dry matter holds the true nutrients in place. When you manage both well, you give horses a feed that’s tasty, safe, and effectively balanced for their day-to-day needs.

Final thoughts for the barn and beyond

So, the next time you’re eyeing a field, a bale, or a bin, remember the moisture story tucked inside the greens. It’s a quiet factor that quietly steers energy delivery, digestion, and the practical side of feeding. And if you ever find yourself weighing options about harvesting timing, wilting time, or storage setup, that 75-80% figure is a reliable compass to guide your decision.

In the end, it’s all about making smart choices with moisture in mind—choices that support steady performance, healthy digestion, and comfortable, satisfied horses. After all, a well-hydrated forage is a good friend to your barn, your budget, and the animals you care for.