How to Stack Bales of Hay Securely

Standard bales of hay are 2 feet wide, 4 feet long and 2 feet tall. The bales are bound by twine or wire. Hay prices typically go up in the winter, making it practical to purchase hay in the late summer and store it through the winter near where your horses will be fed. Make sure horses won't be able to get into your hay storage area, and protect the hay from deer and rodents.

Things You'll Need

Safety glasses
Boots
Gloves
Pallets

Instructions

- 1
  Wear safety glasses, boots with good ankle support and work gloves to avoid injury.
- 2
  Place pallets on the ground in your hay storage area.
- 3
  Stack the back row of the first layer. Place the first bale of hay cut side up in the back left corner so the long end runs along the left side of the pallet.
- 4
  Place the next two bales cut side up to the right of the first bale at a 90 degree angle, with the narrow ends against the long end of the first bale.
- 5
  Place the next two bales to the right, end-to-end with the other two bales. Finish the row by placing the last bale on the right in the same position as the first bale, with the long end in line with the right edge of the pallet.
- 6
  Stack the middle rows of the first layer. Place the next six bales cut side up in front of the first row, in a lengthwise position like the four middle bales in the back row.
- 7
  Stack the front row of the first layer. Place six more bales cut side up in front of the middle row in the same position as the back row, with the left and right bales at 90 degrees to the four bales in the middle.
- 8
  Stack the second layer of hay by following steps 3 through 5 at a quarter turn from the bottom layer. Instead of starting in the back left corner of your hay storage area and working your way to the front, start at the back right corner and work your way to the left side.
- 9
  Continue this process until your hay is stacked. The stack will remain stable until over eight layers high.