How Much Protein Should Horse Hay Have?

Good quality legume hay can have roughly 18 to 22 percent crude protein, while good quality grass hay can have 10 to 16 percent crude protein. Again, quality and growth stage at harvest determine how digestible the hay is and influence how much protein the horse receives from it.

Is high protein hay good for horses?

MEETING NUTRITIONAL NEEDS
Hay alone will not meet the total dietary requirements of young, growing horses or those used for high levels of performance. However, high-quality hay may supply ample protein and energy for less active adult horses. In such cases, these horses should be provided a mineral supplement.

What is considered high protein in horse feed?

Table 1 lists the protein, lysine, methionine and threonine content in common feedstuffs for horses. High quality protein includes legumes, young grass pastures, soybean meal, canola meal, and linseed meal.

What is the average protein in grass hay?

8% to 14%
Protein levels can range from 8% to 14% in grass hay, and 15% to 22% in legume (alfalfa) hay. In general, a growing horse needs between 12% and 18% protein in their diet for proper growth and development, while most mature horses will do fine on lower protein hay (10% – 12%).

What is a good hay analysis for horses?

A basic hay analysis costs about $20. Optimum horse hay moisture ranges from 10 to 15 percent. ADF values under 45 percent are generally good for horses. NDF values under 65 percent are generally good for horses.

Does hay lose protein over time?

Of course, hay kept in storage for a long time will lose its field-fresh smell, but that will not affect its protein or energy nutritional value.

Should a horse eat a bale of hay a day?

A horse can eat anywhere from 15-25 pounds of hay a day, which generally equates to a half of a 45/50-pound square bale of hay per day (~15-30 bales per month). What is this? Always remember to take into consideration the quality of your hay.

Can too much protein cause a horse to tie up?

Additionally, a horse that consumes too much protein will be at an even greater risk of contracting diseases and be predisposed to other symptoms such as hypothyroidism, tying up, kidney problems, and arthritis to name a few.

Can too much protein cause laminitis?

A diet high in protein is often thought to contribute to conditions such as laminitis, colic, tying up and excitability. In truth, it’s high levels of starch and sugar that present a nutritional risk factor for such conditions, not protein.

What happens if a horse doesn’t get enough protein?

A horse that isn’t getting enough calories for energy will start using protein for energy rather than muscle building. Horses with insufficient protein will have poor muscle development and tone, coat and hooves in poor condition, and lack energy and ability to concentrate.

What is the best hay for horses to eat?

Alfalfa, white clover, red clover and birdsfoot trefoil are common types of legumes, with alfalfa being the most popular choice. Benefits: Legumes are higher in protein and calcium than grass hay, and may also provide more energy and a higher level of total digestible nutrients, such as vitamin A.

What is the most important indicator of hay quality?

Leafiness, the ratio of leaves to stems, is an excellent indicator of hay quality. Leafiness in legumes is particularly critical because legumes lose their leaves during curing and handling more readily than grasses.

Is timothy hay high in protein?

Timothy hay is used most often as cattle and horse feed. Its low protein, high fiber, and high energy content make it easily digestible.

Can hay be too rich for horses?

Providing grain and supplements (e.g. a supplement for hoof, or generally vitamin and mineral supplements) can make up the rest. Richer hay can provide more nutrients; however, you have to be careful not to provide hay that is too rich or “hot” for your horse, donkey or mule.

Should horses have hay at all times?

Because we like to think our horses follow the same schedule that we do, many people think that horses need less hay at night because they’re asleep (and therefore, not eating). However, that’s a myth. Horses need access to forage at all times of the day.

How much hay should a horse have in 24 hours?

According to the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, a full-grown horse should eat about 12 to 15 pounds (5.4 to 6.8 kg) of hay a day. 1 That is 1.5% to 3% of its body weight, if it weighs about 1,000 pounds (450 kg).

Is 20 year old hay still good?

Hay doesn’t come stamped with an expiration date, so sometimes it’s hard to know when to use it and when to toss it. Consider these points: If the hay was of good-quality when harvested and stored in a dry place with sufficient airflow, hay is likely suitable for consumption for two to three years.

Can you overfeed hay?

Providing hay or other feeds to our friendly companions daily is very important. But it’s easy to go overboard when feeding them with the wrong hard feeds or hay that is too high in sugar or protein. Overfeeding leads to problems like obesity, laminitis, and colic.

Can hay be too dry for horses?

The key to properly cured hay lies predominantly in moisture content. For best results, hay should not be baled until there is less than 20% moisture. Hay baled too wet might mold, heat, and pose a fire risk. Conversely, hay baled too dry might lose its nutritional value through broken or fallen leaves.

How much hay should a 1000 pound horse eat a day?

fifteen to twenty pounds
The average thousand-pound horse who relies on hay for all their forage typically eats fifteen to twenty pounds of hay per day. Most hay is dispensed in flakes; however, the amount of hay in a flake can vary greatly, depending on the size of the flake and the kind of hay.

What hay should horses not eat?

Types of Hay for Horses—What to Avoid

• Perennial ryegrass and rye.
• Dallisgrass.
• Argentine bahiagrass.
• Johnsongrass, Sorghum grasses/Sudangrass.
• Switchgrass, which causes photosensitivity, peeling skin, mouth ulcers and liver disease.
• Foxtail Millet (aka German Millet) and Meadow foxtail.