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.

What is a good protein level for hay?

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 should I look for in hay for horses?

When selecting your horse’s forage, keep these six signs of good quality horse hay in mind:

• High leaf-to-stem ratio. Think about the leafy greens you eat.
• Small diameter stems.
• Few seed heads or blooms.
• Fresh smell and appearance.
• Cleanliness.
• Hay Color.

How can you tell the quality of hay?

Look for the following characteristics: Maturity – High quality hay will have a high proportion of leaves in the bale, with few or no coarse stems or seed heads. Condition – High quality hay will contain little dust or mold. Color & odor – High quality hay generally has a bright green color and a sweet, fresh odor.

What is the best hay blend for horses?

Common mixes are timothy/alfalfa, orchardgrass/ alfalfa, and orchardgrass/clover. The best hay mix for most horses, without any health problems, is one-half Alfalfa and one-half Timothy.

What is the most important indicator of hay?

The nutritional value of hay is the most important factor when determining its quality. This begins with the stage of plant maturity at time of harvest. Young, immature plants contain more nutrients than older, stemmier plants.

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.

What are the 4 categories of hay?

Hay falls into several categories: grass, legume, mixed (grass and legume) and cereal grain straw (such as oat hay). Some of the more common grass hays include timothy, brome, orchard grass and bluegrass. In some parts of the country fescue, reed canary grass, ryegrass and Sudan grass are common.

What is the color of good quality hay?

Good hay color remains green and leaves and branches stay connected. This can be assessed by taking the material in the hands, if feels dry, then hay is ready for feed and high nutrients are available in the hay.

What is the healthiest hay for horses?

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 does low quality hay look like?

Poor-quality hay may be damp and moldy with a musty or fermented smell. Hay that appears weathered, straw-like, or brown is likely low in nutritional value. If hay has been cut late in maturity, seed heads will be apparent in grass hay and blooms will be evident in alfalfa hay.

What two considerations are most important when evaluating hay for quality?

Quality hay should be low but adequate in fiber content, free of dust, musty odor, detrimental weeds, and excessive foreign material. Stage of Maturity – The stage of plant development at the time of harvest is considered one of the most important and influential factors affecting quality.

How much does hay analysis cost?

Testing Your Hay is Easy & Affordable
For as little as $18 – it’s affordable and practical.

What is a good hay mixture?

Some of the more popular combinations are orchardgrass/alfalfa and tall fescue/alfalfa. These mixed hays are readily eaten and healthy for all types of livestock.

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.

Is timothy or orchard better for horses?

Compared to Timothy Grass, Orchard Grass grows better in moderate drought conditions and provides a solid three hay cuttings per year. With three cuttings instead of two cuttings, Orchard Grass produces consistent soft texture hay that horses readily consume with minimal or no waste.

What should moisture content be for horse hay?

65-85%
Under normal conditions, hay is cut, crimped, raked and/or turned to reduce drying time, and then baled. The moisture content of standing hay varies from 65-85%. Hay destined for small square bales needs to be dried below 15% (85% dry matter) before baling for horses, to reduce the chance of dust.

Should horses have hay all time?

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.

Is timothy or alfalfa better for horses?

Alfalfa hay is typically higher in protein and essential nutrients than timothy hay, making Alfalfa a better option for more active animals that need a high-protein diet. Alfalfa also has more calories per pound than timothy, so it’s generally the preferred choice of sport horse owners.

Can hay be too green for horses?

Even if the outside of the bale is faded to yellow or beige, the internal hay can be perfectly safe to feed your horse as long as it’s still green. If the internal hay is bleached out, brown, black, or yellow inside the bales, the hay has most likely lost its nutritional value and may be moldy or rotted.

What is the best cut of hay?

second cutting
The most common choice of hay is second cutting, but first cutting is also good for horses, plus it is usually cheaper than the other two. Choose hay that is soft, green, and leafy, with thin stems, so it is easier for horses to eat.