Our History

With more than 50,000 square-feet of warehouse and retail space under one roof and a wide selection of outdoor products on display, The Hay Exchange not only feeds your horses; it feeds your lifestyle. From equine care to dog and cat, bird and small animal products, tack and stable accessories to outdoor cooking, gifts and apparel, The Hay Exchange offers More for You, More for Your Animals every day.

In 1995, The Hay Exchange first opened its doors as a wholesale distributor of hay, catering to the needs of Florida’s feed stores and providing horse and zoo hay to the area’s best entertainment destinations in the United States.

As The Hay Exchange’s reputation for quality hay arriving fresh daily grew, so did its business. The warehouse quickly expanded and transitioned into a retail destination, offering hay, locally based Ocala Breeders supply and other equine care products to local farms and stables while the company continued to serve its wholesale clients.

In 2001, The Hay Exchange launched Stampede, its own private-label brand of premium hay cubes, bedding and horse care products. These premium products are available exclusively at The Hay Exchange and select distribution partners.

Most recently, The Hay Exchange underwent a significant internal and external makeover to enhance both our warehouse and retail space, making room for new products every day. If you haven’t been to The Hay Exchange lately, we invite you to stop by to see our newest items like our Yeti Coolers, Big Green Eggs, UWS Storage Solutions and hand tooled western saddles, plus our expanded lines of feed, care and accessories for all of your animals.

Our Team

Founder and owner, Bill Glisson, was born with the hay business in his blood. His father started working in a Sebring, Florida, feed store in 1938, delivering feed in wagons, and he was so successful that he was able to purchase the store just nine years later. Bill grew up working alongside his father, expanding his responsibilities over the years to learn every aspect of the business.

Through hard work, dedication and a commitment to customer satisfaction, the Glisson name soon became synonymous with the best in agriculture and farming in Central Florida.

Bill founded the Hay Exchange in 1995, and today, the Plant City, Florida-based operation continues to be a family-oriented business, with Bill’s sons Cody and Dillon working with him on site and his wife Rhonda and daughter Joanna providing constant support.

The Hay Exchange’s employees are like family, too, having worked for the company for decades. Unlike their big box competitors, The Hay Exchange knows that their people are their greatest strength as they share their expert knowledge of agribusiness, products and animals with their customers. The team at The Hay Exchange is genuinely grateful for their customers and glad to see and support them in all of their animal and lifestyle needs.