High-quality
hay can be an important source of essential nutrients in your horse’s diet. A
horse’s protein and energy requirements depend on age, stage of development,
metabolism and workload. A mature horse will eat 2 to 2.5% of its body weight a
day, and for optimum health, nutritionists recommend that at least half of this
should be roughage such as hay.
For a 1000-pound horse, that means at least 10 pounds of roughage each
day.
Hay generally falls into one of two
categories – grasses or legumes.
Legume hay is higher in protein, energy, calcium and vitamin A than
grass hays. While hay alone may not meet the total dietary requirements of
young, growing horses or those used for high levels of performance,
high-quality hay may supply ample nutrition for less active adult horses.
Once
you’ve determined the best category of hay for your horse, most people select
hay based on how it looks, smells and feels. Use the following tips from the American Association of
Equine Practitioners to select the best hay for your horse:
1.
It’s what’s
inside that counts. Ask that one
or several bales are opened so you can evaluate the hay inside the bales. Do not worry about slight discoloration
on the outside, especially in stacked hay.
2.
Choose hay
that is as fine-stemmed, green and leafy as possible, and is soft to the touch.
3.
Avoid hay
that is overcured, excessively sun-bleached, or smells moldy, musty, dusty or
fermented.
4.
Select hay
that has been harvested when the plants are in early bloom for legume hay or
before seed heads have formed in grasses.
Examine the leaves, stems and flowers or seed pods to
determine the level of maturity.
5.
Avoid hay
that contains significant amounts of weeds, dirt, trash or debris.
6.
Examine hay
for signs of insect infestation or disease. Be especially careful to check for blister beetles in
alfalfa. Ask the grower about any
potential problems in the region.
7.
Reject
bales that seem excessively heavy for their size of feel warm to the touch, as
they could contain excess moisture that could cause mold, or worse, spontaneous
combustion.
8.
When
possible, purchase and feed hay within a year of harvest to preserve its
nutritional value.
9.
Store hay
in a dry, sheltered area out of the rain, snow and sun, or cover in the stack
to protect it from the elements.
10.
When buying
in quantity, have the hay analyzed by a certified forage laboratory to
determine its actual nutrient content.
Remember that horses at different ages
and stages of growth, development and activity have different dietary
requirements. Consult your
veterinarian or a qualified equine nutritionist when formulating your horse’s
ration. He or she can help you put
together a balanced diet that is safe, nutritious and cost-effective.
For
more information about choosing hay, ask your equine veterinarian for the “Hay
Quality and Horse Nutrition” brochure, provided by the AAEP in partnership with
Educational Partners Bayer Animal Health and Purina Mills, Inc. More information about nutrition also
can be found online at the AAEP’s horse health Web site, www.myHorseMatters.com.
Back to Rectortown Equine Center Wellness Program.
Reprinted with permission from the American
Association of Equine Practitioners.