What Cut Of Timothy Hay Is Best For Horses?

second cutting.
Timothy must be harvested in the pre- or early-bloom stage to ensure a high nutrient content. The first cutting usually has a higher weed content, and quality decreases after the second cutting, so the second cutting is usually the best to feed.

What is better 1st cut or 2nd cut Timothy hay?

Second cut hay is a good hay for healthy adult rabbits. It usually has more leaves on the stems which is more attractive to your rabbit. This hay is greener than 1st cut and not as stemy. The protein and fat content is a little higher than 1st cut and the fiber level is a bit lower.

What is the difference between 1st 2nd and 3rd cut Timothy hay?

To begin with, 1st cutting is the first hay cut from that field for the year. It tends to be more coarse and have more grasses in it. 2nd cutting is usually greener in color and has a sweeter smell. And lastly, 3rd cutting is very thick and rich.

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 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.

Which cut of hay has the most nutrients?

Legume hays (alfalfa) are richer in nutrients and energy while grass hays are high in fibre for a healthy digestive tract. Therefore, if choosing between the two, alfalfa hays are preferred for those who require more energy. Seniors, mature non-working horses and easy keepers are apt to do better on a grass hay diet.

What cut is Oxbow Timothy hay?

What cut hay is this? Oxbow uses both first and second cutting hay. First cutting hay typically has more stems with larger seed heads. The second cutting is more likely to be leafier and softer with more brown leaves and smaller seed heads.

Is alfalfa or Timothy hay better?

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.

When should I get second cut of hay?

Wetter weather can also prevent adequate drying of the cut grass, resulting in hay that might be prone to mold. The second cutting of grass typically happens six to eight weeks after the first cut.

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.

How do you pick good hay for horses?

10 Tips For Choosing The Best Hay For Your Horse

1. It’s what’s inside that counts.
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.

What is the most popular hay for horses?

Timothy hay is one of the most popular hays fed to horses. It can be quite expensive, depending on whether it has to be shipped long distances. Timothy must be harvested in the pre- or early-bloom stage to ensure a high nutrient content.

What is the preferred grass hay of most horse owners?

Although the most popular legume used among horse owners is alfalfa, other legumes such as red or crimson clover, lespedeza, birdsfoot trefoil, and peanut hay are often fed, and these provide horses with high-quality nutrients. Evaluating hay requires a thorough visual appraisal.

What’s the best grass hay for horses?

Alfalfa: is a legume that is low in sugar, moderately high in protein, high in calories and digestible fiber. This forage is ideal for horses and other livestock that are growing (rapid growth when young), underweight, those sensitive to carbohydrates, in late pregnancy or lactation and for horses with gastric ulcers.

What hay has the most protein for horses?

Legume hays such as alfalfa and clover are members of the pea family. These hays are high in energy, protein, and calcium and can be used to boost the nutritional value of a grass-hay-based diet. It is not recommended to feed horses a diet solely consisting of legume hays.

What hay is best for older horses?

Alfalfa hay and good quality grass hays are preferable to stemmy and mature hays that have tougher fiber to ferment. The small intestine loses some function – Older horses find it harder to digest protein in the small intestine.

Which hay is lowest in sugar?

What is this? In addition Timothy hay is higher in fiber and lower in sugar and calories than most other types of horse hay, making it a great choice for overweight horses.

What’s the difference between Western timothy hay and Timothy Hay?

Note: Timothy Hay is more suitable for adult rabbits due to the low calcium content. Oxbow Western Timothy Hay is high in fibre, low in protein and calcium and is a good, basic grass hay with high quality nutrition.

Is Oxbow Western Timothy Hay good?

Oxbow’s all-natural Western Timothy Hay is a nutritious, sweet-smelling grass that will stimulate the appetite of your rabbit, guinea pig, chinchilla, or other small pet. Western Timothy is the #1 vet-recommended hay for small herbivores.

What is the difference between Timothy Hay and Timothy grass?

Timothy Grass has a slightly higher protein and is greener in appearance. Timothy Hay is a mix of leaves and stems from Timothy grass, which is a perennial bunch grass. Timothy Hay is high in fiber and low in protein which is a combination critical to the health of rabbits and other small animals.

Is Timothy hay the best for horses?

Timothy hay is the most digestible of all hays and is one of the most popular hay feeds for horses. The hay is a late-maturing high fiber bunchgrass with a relatively low protein content.