The two main types of hay for horses are grass hay and legume hay. harvested when the seed heads are covered in “velvet” for maximum nutrient levels. We will explore all the types of hay that are commonly fed to horses. Alfalfa is easy to digest & high in protein, energy, vitamins & minerals. Local availability will ultimately dictate what you feed, but knowing your way around the different types of grasses and legumes will help you grow or purchase the best option for the horses in your care. It’s our priority to make sure that we’re doing our best for the horses, every day,” Shannon says. Kentucky bluegrass, orchardgrass and timothy are all examples of common grasses used for hay. There are many types of hay that you can feed to horses. The higher percent of calcium in legume hay can present a problem with the calcium/phosphorus balance. Nicky holds numerous national and international titles, including her recent silver medal at the […], Grand Prix dressage rider Liz Austin is a two-time national champion who’s had her feet in the stirrups for quite some time. This hay is sometimes referred to as coastal hay and is a shorter plant with fine blades of grass. Adding some alfalfa is beneficial for pregnant, lactating and growing horses which have very high protein and calcium needs. This is the standard go-to hay for adults horses and should smell good even to us humans. Alfalfa typically has a thicker stem and lots of leaves. Ponies need only the fraction of the feed that horses do. There are more leaves on the stems than the first cut; the stems are also thinner. Top 7 Best Treatment for Cushings in Horses. Young foals and mares in the first three months of lactation can benefit by the best legume hay available. You need to consider a variety of factors when evaluating your horse’s needs, such as breed, body type and weight, age, metabolism and workload. Daniel Day / Getty Images When good pasture grass is not available, hay is the single most important source of nutrition for your horse, pony, donkey or mule. Clover hay can provide energy, protein and fiber, however, if clover molds, it can cause slobbers and bleeding in horses who eat the molded hay. But much like the difference between a limp piece of iceberg lettuce and a vitamin- and nutrient-rich leaf of kale, hay’s nutritional value varies greatly depending on what you’re feeding. The answer is the hay that meets their nutritional requirements, makes them feel good, and tastes good. Horse Pasture Grass Seed Mix in Non GMO This is an excellent pasture mix that some have used for hay as well. But bermuda grass provides a good source of forage for horses. Different types of hay for horses can vary in nutritional value, taste or texture. Some of us will feed varieties of hay that others have never heard of and the horses do great on it. Benefits: Grass hay is lower in protein and energy than legume hay — but it’s also higher in fiber, which can make it a good choice for many horses. It works the same in horses. Grass hay comes in many varieties and the best hay can vary from horse to horse. There are some loose correlations between bermuda grass hay and colic. The hay should be cut early and be leafy, green, and free of mold, dust, and foreign matter, such as weeds and stubble. The first priority in choosing hay is to evaluate it for quality. Therefore, the second cut of hay is usually higher “quality” than the first cut. Many of you will wonder, what type of hay is best for horses? When horses are stabled, or grazing is limited, they need a substitute for the grass they would have naturally eaten. Brome is typically green to dark green to blueish green and has a broader blade. Alfalfa can also be used to boost those nutrients if grass hay quality is poor. However, because of its high palatability, intake must be restricted to keep horses from overeating and becoming colicky. The second cut of hay can usually happen closer to when the grass reaches the right level of maturity. Oat hay is also quite high in sugar, so it is not a good option for insulin resistant horses. However, grass hay is very high in fiber. Bermuda is typically the cheapest grass hay you can purchase for a horse. A huge diet overhaul, careful management, and pairing him with the perfect “friend” has meant we […], Canadian native Veronica Deans is an NRHA Non Pro reiner and ranch owner in northern Texas. All Rights Reserved. Bermuda grass grows well in a variety of conditions so it is a common hay for horses. As a general rule of thumb, grass hay is best for horses—alfalfa or other legume hay can be an excellent feed to mix with grass hay for animals that need more protein. Many horse owners may decide that a mix of legume and grass hay is the appropriate choice for their horse. Birdsfoot trefoil is more resistant to negative soil conditions as well as moisture fluctuations. Good quality hay will contain a greater quantity of nutrients. Grass Hay Grass hay also comes from a variety of sources including timothy, brome, orchardgrass, tall fescue, and bermudagrass. 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 … Typically, orchard grass is lower in protein than timothy, but it is a favorite amongst horses and owners. I might buy a bale of hay for $18 that weighs 125 pounds. Your email address will not be published. The increased calcium does mean that phosphorus may need to be supplemented, as noted above. It’s perennial, so grows repeatedly year on year. (So that means most of us.) Hay analysis can tell you what a hay does and does not have and whether or not you need to be supplementing with something that is missing from your horse’s diet. Once you know the kind of quality he produces, it makes things much easier.” Smith said, “Look at the hay and do the quality analysis. There are quite a few different types of hay that people feed to horses, but hay generally falls into one of two categories – legumes and grasses. She’s been riding since age four, reining since the mid-90s, and claiming NRHA wins since 2010. Alfalfa is the most common legume hay for horses. This hay is high in protein, but lower in calcium than legume hay. Feeding a legume/grass mix can be the best of both worlds. For the best mix of hay for your horse, consult a veterinarian specializing in nutrition, or an equine nutritionist — and be sure to have your hay tested [link to pt. Crested Dog’s Tail This is a very common grass especially in dry areas and is great for horses. No matter which type of hay you choose, some characteristics should be consistent when looking for high quality hay for horses. Orchard hay is another common type of grass hay – it usually has a thicker blade than timothy hay but can be softer in texture. Hay purchased at the feed store is generally sold by the bale. Horses being maintained, mares in the first two-thirds of gestation, and mature horses working at light or moderate levels can do nicely on immature grass hay. Each bag will cover one acre with quality grazing grass seed. When in doubt, be sure to discuss feeding this hay with your vet. If you really want to know what is in your hay, have it tested! It is lower in protein than some other grasses, so you must ensure a horse is getting enough protein in their diet if this is their only forage. Your pony probably won't need the nutrition provided by alfalfa and clovers. Legume hay is more easily digested than grass hay, which can be a good or bad thing depending on the horse. 3] so you know exactly what you’re feeding. You may find that the quality of hay available at your local feed store changes during the seasons. Alfalfa, white clover, red clover and birdsfoot trefoil are common types of legumes, with alfalfa being the most popular choice. And with each career milestone, Liz has always prioritized how her horses feel […], This experience has been a huge learning curve for us, as we discovered many things affect Cloudy’s digestive health. Learn More. Mitotane is quite old, and most veterinarians don’t prescribe it anymore. The best crops of Timothy hay are those that are cut prior to full bloom, as protein levels fall off as the plant matures. Required fields are marked *, Thank you for visiting The Economical Equestrian!  My name is Catherine, and I am here to help all equestrians live better with their horses as well as learn to be financially savvy.  Being comfortable with your finances is important for everyone, but especially when you have such an expensive habit.  Stay a while and then get out there and ride! The feed store down the road advertises hay at $15 a bale. It does spike in sugar production in the fall, so be cautious when grazing or feeding it to sugar sensitive horses. Timothy hay is a common favorite among horses and owners. Alfalfa Hay. Timothy hay (Timothy grass) is a foraging grass that grows well in cool climates. All horses need fiber in their diet and some of it must be the form of long hay. Two FDA approved drugs for treating Cushings in animals are very popular additionally, the hay lactation! Kind of hay is the standard go-to hay for horses that are these. 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