The High-Quality Hay for Horses

ALFALFA The high-quality hay for horses

Glenn E. Shewmaker University of Idaho Dan Undersander University of Wisconsin Laurie M. Lawrence University of Kentucky Garry D. Lacefield University of Kentucky

2 lfalfa is often the pre- Food—especially forage—passes rela- ferred forage for horses The horse’s tively rapidly through the stomach and because of its high small intestine, but can be retained for quality, high digestibility, digestive system many hours in the hind gut (cecum).The and good roughage orses evolved as grazing animals. hind gut is populated by a diverse Avalue.Well-preserved alfalfa hay should Compared to most other non- microbial population that digests the be the foundation of a feeding program Hruminant species, the horse has a fibrous components of hay and pasture. for young growing horses, recreational relatively small stomach, a normal-sized The horse’s digestive tract is generally horses, and active horses.This publica- small intestine, and an enlarged hind gut not as efficient at digesting fiber as the tion describes the horse’s digestive (figure 1).This arrangement makes digestive tract of a cow or sheep. system and nutritional needs and how horses better adapted to grazing contin- However, for high-quality hays such as to select alfalfa hay. It provides informa- uously than to eating one or two large early bloom alfalfa hay, the difference is tion on purchasing, storing, and feeding meals a day. Compare the size of a horse’s much smaller than for lower quality hays alfalfa hay; and uses science to discuss stomach (figure 2) to the volume of hay such as late-maturity grass hays. myths and realities of feeding horses. a horse will consume in a day, and it’s High-quality hay (or pasture) can be an easy to see why horses should be allowed excellent source of nutrients for most access to forage throughout the day. classes of horses, and in most cases should be the predominant type of feed in a horse’s diet. However, some classes of horses will require supplementation of their diet with a concentrate. A con- Figure 1.The digestive tract and internal organs of the horse. centrate feed can be a plain grain such as oats or corn, or it can be a commer- cially manufactured mixture of grains and other feed ingredients. Concentrate cecum bladder spleen esophagus feeds are higher in energy than hay because the cereal grains contain more rectum stomach nonstructural carbohydrates, especially starch.

trachea

heart colon liver small Figure 2. A model of a horse’s stomach from an 1100-lb horse shown intestine next to the daily ration (15 lb) of hay. Because of their relatively small stomachs, horses are better adapted to eating forage all day long instead of eating one or two large meals each day.

ALFALFA 3 In horses, starch can be digested in the also shown.These concentrations are small intestine and absorbed as glucose. Meeting the based on average expected feed intakes Research has demonstrated that when of the horses in each physiological class. large amounts of starch are fed, the nutritional needs To accurately determine the appropriate capacity of the small intestine to digest dietary concentration for a nutrient, it is the starch will be overloaded.The undi- of horses necessary to know the feed intake of the gested starch is moved on to the large orse nutrient needs change with horse. For example, if a horse consumes intestine where it is fermented. age and production state.Very 25 lb of feed per day and it requires 2 lb Fermentation of starch in the large intes- Hyoung horses usually require the of crude protein, then the feed must tine is less energetically efficient than most nutrient-dense diets because they contain 8% crude protein (2 ÷ 25). digestion and absorption from the small are growing rapidly.The diets have to be However, if the horse only consumes 20 intestine. More importantly, fermenta- nutrient dense to meet the animal’s high lb of feed per day, then the feed must tion of excess starch in the large intes- nutrient requirements and limited intake contain 10% crude protein to provide tine can result in digestive problems capacity. As horses age, diets that are the needed crude protein each day. such as diarrhea, colic, and, in severe less nutrient dense are usually required. Most horses will consume at least 2 lb of cases, founder. Lactating mares and horses with strenu- feed (forage and concentrate, 90% dry When an 1100-lb horse consumes a ous physical activities have much higher matter) for every 100 lb of body weight. meal containing more than 2.0–2.5 lb of requirements than horses that are kept However, if very low-quality forage is starch, there is potential for some undi- at maintenance or are used for light fed, feed intake might be less. gested starch to reach the large intes- recreational riding. Conversely, if highly palatable feed is tine. Cereal grains vary in starch content, Table 1 shows the approximate amounts offered, intake may increase. Some so the actual amount of grain that can of several nutrients required by horses in horses, especially lactating mares and be fed without starch by-passing to the different physiological stages on a daily growing horses, may consume 3 lb of large intestine will vary also. Corn can basis.These values may need to be feed per 100 lb of body weight. contain 60–70% starch whereas oats adjusted for specific horses, particularly contain 45–55% starch. Many commer- if they are exposed to unusually hot or cially manufactured feeds will have a cold weather. For some nutrients, the starch content of 45–55%, although approximate dietary concentrations are feeds with lower amounts of starch are becoming more available. If a horse is fed a concentrate containing 50% starch, the amount that could be fed in a single Table 1. Recommended nutrient intakes for horses with an expected meal with minimal starch by-pass to the mature body weight of 1100 lb.* large intestine would be 4.4 lb.There- Class Digestible fore, when the daily concentrate intake of horse energy** Crude protein Calcium Phosphorus exceeds 10 lb, the concentrate should be Mcal/ lb/ % in lb/ % in lb/ % in divided into three meals per day. day day diet day diet day diet Recreational 20 1.8 10 25 0.30 18 0.20 Pregnant 20 1.9 11 37 0.45 28 0.35 Lactating 28 3.1 13 56 0.55 36 0.35 Weanling 16 1.9 14 35 0.70 20 0.40 Yearling 20 2.1 13 35 0.50 20 0.30 Performance Moderate 26 2.2 11 32 0.35 24 0.25 Heavy 32 2.9 12 40 0.35 30 0.25 *Expressed as total daily intakes or dietary concentration on a 100% dry matter basis. **Digestible energy = (gross energy of food) – (energy lost in feces) Source: Adapted from NRC (1989) “Nutrient Requirements of Horses”

THE HIGH-QUALITY HAY FOR HORSES 4 Typical dry matter intakes (per 100 lb of Mature horses used for Table 3 shows two diets using alfalfa hay body weight) for horses are shown in that will meet, or slightly exceed, the table 2. Also shown are the amounts of recreational activities needs of a mature 1100-lb horse used dry matter from forage and concentrate Many horses are used for recreation for recreational riding. Both diets meet in typical diets. Forage should be the (which includes weekend riding, occa- the nutrient needs of the horse, but cornerstone of horse diets, comprising sional showing, and similar activities) which diet is best? One consideration the largest part of the dry matter intake where the horse is exercised at a low to might be cost. Another consideration as a guard against energy-dense feeds moderate intensity for less than 5 hours might be total feed intake.Total feed such as starch, to meet the need for a week. In general, these horses have low intake is highest when diet A is used.The large particle size for fiber requirement, to moderate nutrient requirements and lower feed intake with diet B could be and for continuous supply of nutrients. nutrient deficiencies are relatively rare. an advantage if you have a picky eater. These guidelines for feed intake are best Typically, the biggest nutritional However, diets with low feed intakes applied when mid-maturity forage is problem facing these horses is excess often mean more idle time for the used.When early-maturity forage is nutrient intake, especially calories, which horses (especially those confined in used, the amount of concentrate in the can result in obesity. stalls or small paddocks) and increased diet can usually be reduced, whereas potential for stall vices such as wood when late-maturity forage is used, more chewing. Because these diets use alfalfa concentrate will be necessary. hay as the forage source, they provide more protein and calcium than are required for recreational horses. Most nutritionists agree that exceeding the protein and calcium requirements is not harmful for normal healthy horses. Table 2. Expected dry matter intakes by horses (lb DM/100 lb of body weight).

Total dry Forage Concentrate Class of horse matter intake (lb) intake (lb) intake (lb) Recreational 2.00–2.25 2.00–2.50 0.00–0.25 Pregnant (last trimester) 1.75–2.00 1.50–1.75 0.25–0.50 Lactating 2.25–2.75 1.50–2.25 0.50–1.25 Growing 2.25–2.75 1.50–2.00 0.75–1.25 Working 1.75–2.50 1.00–1.75 0.75–1.25 Source: Adapted from NRC (1989) “Nutrient Requirements of Horses”

Table 3. Example diets that meet the needs of recreational horses* (1100 lb) and lactating mares (1100 lb).

Recreational horse* Lactating mare** Diet A (lb) Diet B (lb) Diet A (lb) Diet B (lb) Bud stage alfalfa hay 0 19 18 0 Full bloom alfalfa hay 24 0 0 8 Mature timothy hay 0 0 0 7 Commercial concentrate** 0 0 8 13 Salt Free choice Free choice Free choice Free choice * Note that diet B for a recreational horse provides feed intake below 2 lb /100 lb of body weight. ** Using a typical commercial concentrate formulated for lactating mares containing at least 14% CP,0.9% Ca, 0.7% P,30 ppm Cu, 80 ppm Zn, and 0.3 ppm Se.

ALFALFA

5 When good- to high-quality forages are Broodmares Body condition (fatness) can affect offered free choice, some recreational reproductive efficiency in mares. A con- Good nutrition plays an important role horses will get fat.These forages are not dition scoring system has been devel- in reproductive efficiency and is a key only more digestible and more nutrient oped for horses that scores horses from component of broodmare management. dense than later-maturity forages, they 1 to 9, where 1 is an extremely thin Broodmares in early gestation have are also usually more palatable, so horse and 9 is an extremely fat horse. nutrient requirements at, or just slightly horses will eat more. An 1100-lb gelding Horses in moderate body condition above, maintenance, and may be fed offered early (1⁄10 bloom) alfalfa hay free (condition score = 5) have ribs that are diets similar to those recommended for choice might consume as much as 25 to not visible, but can be easily felt and are recreational horses. However, after about 30 lb per day! This would exceed his easier to breed than mares with body 8 months of gestation their nutrient calorie requirements by about 50–60% condition scores below 5. Mares with a requirements increase. If additional and could result in a weight gain of 150 body condition score of 6 have a reserve nutrients are not available from the diet, to 200 lb in a year! To keep horses at of fat that can be used if the weather mares will mobilize their own body their ideal weight, it’s best to feed them turns cold or if they are unable to stores to meet the needs of fetal devel- lower-quality hay or limit their access to consume enough feed to meet their opment. As shown in table 2, feed intake very high-quality hay. requirements in late gestation or lacta- in pregnant mares may fall below 2 lb tion.There is no advantage to having per 100 lb of body weight near the end extremely fat mares. of gestation.This reduction in feed intake may require an adjustment to the Table 3 shows two diets for lactating diet to ensure that nutrient needs are mares with differing hay maturity. Note met. Once a mare foals, her nutrient that as the nutrient content of the needs increase greatly compared to ges- forage decreases from bud alfalfa to full tation (table 1). Again, if nutrient bloom alfalfa and timothy, it is necessary demand for milk production is not met, to feed more concentrate, and in some the mare will mobilize body stores. cases it is necessary to feed a highly for- tified concentrate. Depending upon the cost of the hay and the grain, one diet may be much more economical than another.When concentrate portions exceed 10 lb per day, divide and feed it in three separate meals to minimize health problems. Figure 3.This mare is in moderate body condition (score = 5). Mares thinner than this are more difficult to breed.

THE HIGH-QUALITY HAY FOR HORSES 6 Growing horses Average daily gains for horses at 6, 12, Performance horses and 18 months of age would be Nutritional programs for growing horses Nutrient needs of performance horses expected to be about 1.5–2.0 lb/day, focus on promoting steady, even growth are affected by the type and duration of 0.75–1.0 lb/day and 0.5–0.75 lb/day, and optimal skeletal development. the exercise they perform. Exercise burns respectively. As foals age, their rate of Nutrient deficiencies and imbalances up calories, so meeting energy needs is a growth slows, although most horses can result in developmental orthopedic primary concern. Race horses and horses continue to grow through their first 2 diseases that may affect the ability of a that work for several hours a day may years.Table 4 shows typical feeding horse to perform as an athlete. Most have calorie requirements that are twice programs for weanlings and yearlings, foals will start to eat solid food shortly as high as a horse at maintenance.Table based on dry matter intakes of after birth and will be able to consume 5 shows some example diets that meet 2.25–2.75% of body weight.The diets enough forage and concentrate to meet the needs of performance horses. Note shown use alfalfa hay. One of the their nutrient needs at weaning, which that when mature grass hay is used, the benefits of using high-quality alfalfa is a usually occurs around 4 to 6 months of horse must consume more concentrate reduced need for concentrate in the age.Young horses should be fed high- to meet its energy needs. Feeding diet. If a grass hay is used, then the need quality forage, which is high in higher-quality hay and less grain should for concentrate is usually increased, and digestibility and nutrient density to lower the potential for colic or other the concentrate must contain high levels meet the needs for tissue growth. digestive disorders. of protein.

Table 4. Example diets that meet the nutrient needs of weanlings and yearlings with an expected mature body weight of 1100 lb.*

Weanlings Yearlings Diet A (lb) Diet B (lb) Diet A (lb) Diet B (lb)

1⁄10 bloom alfalfa hay 6–8 0 9–15 0 Full bloom alfalfa hay 0 5–7 0 10–14 Commercial concentrate** 6–9 7–9 6–9 7–10 Salt Free choice Free choice Free choice Free choice Expected daily feed intake 14–15 11–13 18–24 18–24 Body weight 475–600 475–600 600–880 600–880 * Based on dry matter intakes of 2.25–2.75 lb/100 lb of body weight. In most cases, the lower amount of forage will be fed with the higher amount of concentrate. As horses grow, the amount of forage in the diet is usually increased.These diets will produce a moderate rate of growth. ** Using a typical commercial concentrate formulated for growing horses containing at least 14% CP,0.9% Ca, 0.7% P,30 ppm Cu, 80 ppm Zn, and 0.3 ppm Se.

Table 5. Example diets that meet the nutrient needs of horses (1100 lb) performing moderate and intense work.*

Moderate work Intense work Diet A (lb) Diet B (lb) Diet A (lb) Diet B (lb)

1⁄10 bloom alfalfa hay 0 5–6 0 7–9 Full bloom alfalfa hay 16–18 0 15–18 0 Mature timothy hay 0 10–12 0 6–8 Commercial concentrate** 7–8 8–10 11–13 12–14 Salt Free choice Free choice Free choice Free choice * Usually the higher amount of hay will be fed with the lower amount of concentrate.When daily concentrate intakes exceed 10 lb, the concentrate should be divided into three separate meals. ** Using a commercially manufactured concentrate feed formulated for performance horses that contains approximately 12% CP,0.7% Ca, 0.5% P,20 ppm Cu, 60 ppm Zn, and 0.3 ppm Se.

ALFALFA 7 Some horse owners have concerns Adding some legume hay (alfalfa or red about the level of protein and calcium clover) to a horse’s diet of grass hay and Alfalfa: An ideal present in high-quality alfalfa hay.There concentrate may also increase total hay is no research evidence that high- intake, as shown in figure 5.When horses legume hay protein diets hurt performance.When had access to the legume hay for 1 hour, lfalfa is the most important forage alfalfa hay is used, the amount of protein they consumed approximately 4.5 lb of legume grown in the United States. in the concentrate fed for performance the legume and then consumed 16.5 lb AIt is the most widely adapted peren- horses can be as low as 10 or 12%. of timothy during the remainder of the nial forage legume. It has the highest However, if a low-quality grass hay is fed, day.When only timothy was available, yield potential and the highest feeding a higher level of protein in the concen- timothy intake was the same (16.5 value of all adapted forage legumes. trate will be necessary. lb/day). By adding the 4.5 lb of legume Alfalfa is a versatile plant that can be Owners and trainers of horses used for hay, total digestible energy intake of the used as a high-quality feed for horses racing, three-day eventing, and other horses was increased by about 4–5 Mcal and livestock, as a soil improver, and for strenuous activities often report that (thousands of calories) per day. For a human consumption (sprouts, etc.). horses do not eat enough to maintain performance horse, this would comprise Alfalfa and/or alfalfa–grass hay is the their body weight. A key to increasing a 12–15% increase in daily digestible most important hay in the U.S. horse feed intake in these horses is to use palat- energy intake. Another way to look at industry. Although predominantly fed as able feeds. High-quality hay is more palat- the addition of some legume to the diet baled hay, it can also be fed as chopped able than low-quality hay. As shown in would be to evaluate how much con- hay, cubes, or pellets. It is palatable and figure 4, the dry matter intake of horses centrate it could replace. In this case, the the hay of preference for horses. Quality fed high-quality alfalfa (34.1% NDF) is added legume hay could replace about alfalfa hay has high protein, energy, considerably higher than for horses fed 3 lb of concentrate. vitamins, and minerals. Alfalfa is highly medium-quality Matua bromegrass digestible and usually contains more cell (61.4% NDF) or low-quality timothy hay solubles, less cellulose and hemicellu- with seed heads (74.4% NDF). lose, higher protein, lower fiber, and higher relative feed value (RFV) than grass (figure 6). Alfalfa is also considered an ideal horse Figure 4. Horses eat more alfalfa than grass hay. Source: Voluntary intake of three hays adapted from Guay et al., 2002. hay because of availability. It is the only forage that is produced and sold in every state. 35 30 25 20 15 Figure 5. Horses consume more forage when legumes are 10 included in the diet. 5 Source: Cassill, unpublished data. dry matter intake (lb) 0 Matua brome Alfalfa Timothy CP = 15.5% 24.9% 4.1% 25 NDF = 61.4% 34.1% 74.4% timothy 20 legume

15

10 hay intake (lb) 5

0 Diet 1 Diet 2

THE HIGH-QUALITY HAY FOR HORSES

8 How stage of Classification of Physical characteristics of high-quality hay growth affects alfalfa hay Leafiness — High-quality hay contains a orage quality represents the total of high percentage of leaves. Leaves forage quality the plant constituents that influence provide 50–75% of the digestible matter, f all the factors affecting quality of Fa horse’s consumption and use of 75% of the protein, and 90% of the alfalfa hay for horses, the stage of the feed. Forage testing is done to carotene (relates to vitamin A content) Omaturity at harvest is the most estimate the quality for livestock. Hay found in hay. Any leaf loss reduces the important and the one where manage- classification is based on fiber compo- nutritive value of hay. ment decisions can have the greatest nents, an estimate of energy content, Color — A bright-green color indicates impact. As the alfalfa plant matures from and crude protein. Forage should be proper curing and high carotene the vegetative stage to flowering, the tested so it can be allocated to the content and usually indicates the amount of fiber increases, while crude proper class of livestock. Purchased hay absence of weathering, mold, dust, or protein and digestibility (TDN) decrease should be selected based on the quality heat damage. However, color may be (table 6). Early cut alfalfa hay is also more your horse needs and price.Typically, the deceiving and overrated. In general, palatable and is consumed in larger seller is responsible for sending hay color is more important to the person quantities.This hay is usually leafier and samples to a laboratory for testing. (For a who is buying-selling-feeding than it is has finer stems, which results in better current list of certified laboratories, visit to the horse, as the horse is color blind texture (softer to the touch). the National Forage Testing Association and cannot distinguish green from web site at www.foragetesting.org.) brown.

Table 6. Change in alfalfa quality with advancing Foreign material — Weeds and other plant maturity. foreign material (wire, dirt, rocks, sticks, insects) lower the palatability and Maturity TDN (%) CP (%) ADF (%) feeding value of the hay.The presence of Pre-bud 65 21.7 28 blister beetles indicates a high probabil- Bud 62 19.9 31 ity of the toxin cantharidin, which is very

1⁄10 bloom 58 17.2 34 dangerous to horses.

1⁄2 bloom 56 16.0 38 Full bloom 54 15.0 40 Mature 52 13.6 42 Abbreviations: TDN = total digestible nutrients, CP = crude protein, ADF = acid detergent fiber. All values are expressed on a dry matter basis. Source: Nutrient Requirements of Dairy Cattle, National Academy of Science, Publ. 1349.

Figure 6. Mid-bloom alfalfa has higher forage quality than early-bloom orchardgrass. Source: Neal Martin, U.S. Dairy Forage Research Center.

Mid-bloom alfalfa Early-bloom orchardgrass

cellulose 26% cellulose 29%

cell solubles cell solubles 54% ADL lignin 5% 54% ADL lignin 9%

hemicellulose 11% hemicellulose 27%

RFV 125—35% ADF, 46% NDF RFV 125—34% ADF, 61% NDF

ALFALFA 9 Odor and condition — Odors in hay, Crude protein (CP) — Determined by such as musty or rotten odors, indicate measuring the nitrogen content of the Alfalfa products lower hay quality that is more objection- sample and multiplying by 6.25, since lfalfa is harvested, stored, and fed to able to horses than to other livestock. protein in forages contains about 16% horses in many package sizes and These odors result from storage of hay nitrogen.The general quality of hay is Ashapes: hay in small, medium, and that is too moist or weather damaged. closely associated with crude protein, large rectangular bales; round bales; Dust also reduces hay value. and both are related to stage of maturity stacks; cubes; pellets; and haylage/silage. and leafiness. Small rectangular bales — Bales Forage quality terms Acid detergent fiber (ADF) — ADF is weighing 40–80 pounds are readily the percentage of highly indigestible available, conveniently sized, and easy to and definitions plant material present in the forage. It handle. Most horse owners prefer small Laboratories analyze forages by contains cellulose, lignin, and silica. ADF rectangular bales that can be easily chemical analyses or near infrared is a useful predictor of energy and divided into individual portions (flakes). reflectance (NIRS) methods. A forage test digestibility of forages. Low ADF values Price per ton for small rectangular bales typically includes measurements of mean higher energy value and is usually higher due to the extra time moisture, crude protein, acid detergent digestibility, therefore low ADF values and labor involved in harvesting and fiber, neutral detergent fiber, and total are desirable. increased transportation costs. digestible nutrients. Each term is defined below: Neutral detergent fiber (NDF) — NDF Large hay bales (round and represents all of the structural or cell rectangular) — These bales generally Moisture — Hay moisture content is wall material in the forage. NDF is par- weigh over 500 lb each and offer cost important because the higher the tially available to animals. NDF is closely savings for horse owners.The reduced moisture content, the lower the dry related to animal intake of the forage: as labor of large package haying equip- matter and nutrient contents per pound NDF increases, intake decreases. Like ment for making various size rectangular of feed. A high moisture content (above ADF,low NDF values are desirable. and round bales and stacks have greatly 15%) increases the likelihood of mold increased the availability of these types damage during storage. Total digestible nutrients (TDN) — TDN represents the total of all digestible of bales. One of the drawbacks to large nutrients in the forage. It may be the bales is that they do require equipment sum of measured quantities or less accu- to move. rately estimated from ADF. Round bales (figure 7) are not recom- mended for horses.They are difficult to break apart or unroll by hand. Allowing horses to feed on the entire bale without a feeder can mean up to 40% waste. Further, large round bales that are Figure 7. Up to 40% of the hay will go to waste if round bales are not stored outside have much higher placed in a feeder. amounts of mold and dust along with a general “low quality” reputation. Large rectangular bales are becoming very popular in the commercial hay industry and will likely become more readily available than small rectangular bales.They can be efficiently moved and stored and break apart into 30–40 lb flakes for feeding.

THE HIGH-QUALITY HAY FOR HORSES 10 Cubes — Alfalfa cubes (approximately 11⁄2 inches x 2 inches) are made from Differences Blister beetles coarsely chopped alfalfa hay.They are lister beetles (ash gray, black, similar to long-stem hay in digestible in cuttings margined, and striped) contain can- energy, crude protein, calcium, and hich cutting of alfalfa or alfalfa- Btharidin, a toxin that can irritate and phosphorus levels.Though more expen- grass should I buy? This is a blister internal and external body sive than hay, cubes offer the benefits of Wcommon question among horse tissues. As few as 25 beetles consumed being less dusty, easily handled and owners.To address this question, we by a small horse may kill it, while larger transported, requiring less storage space must first recognize that there is more horses may suffer serious internal than hay, and less waste because of variation in quality within cuttings than damage. Blister beetles are a serious reduced selectivity. However, it is impor- among cuttings. First cutting is often dis- problem in the South and West and are tant to control the amount fed to criminated against because rainy occasionally a problem in the Upper prevent horses from developing diges- weather frequently delays harvest and Midwest. Beetles typically cluster tive disorders or becoming overweight. interferes with curing, so that plants are together and therefore may affect only a When cubes are the major source of at a more-advanced stage of maturity few bales from a field. Blister beetles feed, horses are more likely to develop and the resulting hay is lower quality. tend to be more of a problem in late stall vices such as wood chewing. Also, it is not uncommon to have more summer than in spring or early summer. Pellets — Like cubes, pellets are made undesirable weeds in the first cutting. The beetles are more likely to be present from chopped hay, although they are Second and later cuttings may be able during years when large numbers of more firmly ground and pressed into to be cut on time and have better hay- grasshoppers occur because the larval smaller units (usually around 3⁄16 to 1⁄2 making weather; however, weather- stages of blister beetles develop on inches in diameter). Alfalfa pellets can be related problems can occur on any grasshopper eggs. an excellent source of nutrients and are cutting. Blister beetles are attracted to flowering best used to supplement lower-quality The most important question to ask is plants and weeds.Therefore, harvesting hay and to extend short hay supplies. not “which cutting?” but what was the alfalfa before it flowers will help to They should never be fed as the sole stage of maturity when harvested, are minimize beetle populations in the hay. source. Some long-stem hay is necessary there any undesirable weeds, and what Also, avoid conditioning hay as the to reduce the incidence of wood chewing. is the quality analysis? crushed beetles remain toxic. Hay har- Incidence of gastric rupture from exces- vested without conditioning allows sive intake has been reported. In addition, beetles to crawl off onto the ground. some horses have choked on pellets by Preservatives Certified blister-beetle-free hay is avail- eating too fast. Horses should be closely reservatives (organic acids, yeast able in some areas. monitored when feeding pellets. Pellets cultures, enzymes, etc.) have long are more expensive than hay. Pbeen used to permit baling alfalfa Silage/haylage — Silage/haylage is hay at higher moistures to prevent mold plant material that has been fermented growth. Organic acids, with the most in a silo or plastic bags or wraps. An common being buffered propionic acid, excellent feed for horses, its use in the have proven effective in preserving hay United States has been limited due to containing up to approximately 25% availability, difficulty in handling, low moisture. Research has shown that, quality, problems with mold and where horses were offered a choice, ammonia, and tradition. Introduction of acid-treated hay was not as palatable as baleage has caused some producers to untreated; however, after a short condi- reconsider, but it is presently not used to tioning period, horses will consume any extent within the industry. acid-treated hay. Limited research has shown that acid-treated hay is safe for horses as long as no mold or dust is present. Figure 8. Blister beetles in hay can cause severe internal damage and death.

ALFALFA 11 Purchasing and transporting hay ost of the problems relating to buying and selling hay stem from Mpoor communication between the buyer and seller.The hay buyer should have a clear understanding of what kind of hay they wish to buy and should clearly communicate this to the seller.Traditionally, few horse owners have used a hay test or asked for specific protein and energy levels. Lacking this objective analysis, it is not uncommon for a load of hay to be rejected at the barn because of difference in “percep- tion” between buyer and seller on what constitutes high quality, early cut, green, leafy hay. In addition, terms such as dust- Many sources of hay are available—indi- free, mold-free, weed-free, and free of vidual producers, hay brokers and Feeding hay insect damage, dirt, spoilage, and other dealers, feed and seed stores, hay associ- efore feeding, inspect hay for dust, foreign material are subjective since all ations, auctions, and the internet. Each mold, or other contaminants. Moldy hay has these factors to some extent. source can supply quality hay at fair Bhay should never be fed to horses as Poor communication during the prices. Conversely, problems can exist they may develop a respiratory allergy to purchase may readily lead to frustration, with any source. Rely on sources that the hay.The most severe form of this loss of sale, and loss of a hay supply. provide a quality product, fair prices, problem is referred to as chronic obstruc- We have observed that better communi- consistent supply, and proven track tive pulmonary disease, or heaves. Horses cation exists when: 1) there is a hay test, record. with heaves suffer permanent lung and 2) both parties know and under- damage.These horses are usually unable stand hay test report results. Hay storage to be exercised and thus are not useful Horse owners need to decide how much for many physical activities. Symptoms of torage of alfalfa hay in a barn or hay hay they need (refer to table 2).The heaves (coughing, difficulty breathing) shed is the best option to preserve storage available will determine whether may be minimized by controlling dust the quality. Covering bales with vinyl you can purchase your entire hay needs S and mold in a horse’s environment.Three or plastic tarps is next best.Tarps must at one time or make several purchases at common management techniques be firmly tied down and edges set out different times as storage space include good ventilation, soaking hay in from the stack to allow water to drip becomes available. water to prevent dust, and using hay away from the stack. Store bales where cubes instead of long hay as a forage One area of buyer-seller communication water will drain away from the stack. source. problems concerns bale weight. Horses Place bales on a crushed-rock pad, wood Hay may be fed in racks or tubs, or it may eat hay by the pound, not by the bale.To pallets, or tires to break the contact be placed on the ground. Putting hay in ensure that you have enough hay for between the hay and the soil or a rack or a tub usually reduces waste, your horses, it’s critical to buy baled hay concrete. Moisture from the ground can especially when groups of horses are fed based on total weight rather than on ruin as much hay as leaving the top together.When hay is fed on the ground number of bales. Otherwise, you may uncovered. find yourself needing to buy additional to a group of horses, 20–40% of the hay hay much sooner than expected. may be wasted.Waste will be greater with late-maturity grass hay that is low in palatability.When alfalfa is fed on the ground, leaf loss may be high.This is sig- nificant because the leaves contain the most nutrients.When using hayracks or

THE HIGH-QUALITY HAY FOR HORSES

12 mangers, be sure they allow enough space for all horses in an enclosure to eat comfortably at the same time. If there is inadequate space, some horses will be excluded or injuries may occur as they compete for space.The rack or manger should be placed in a location that allows safe and easy access for horses and humans. Hay racks that tip over easily are unsafe, as are feeding devices that horses can jump into (such as some cattle feeders). Hay feeders must be mold.Ventilation in the feeding area cleaned regularly to prevent the buildup Myths and realities can greatly reduce the effect of dust of material that can mold when wet. Myth: The excess protein in alfalfa hay in hay on horses. Large round bales may be used for will damage the kidneys. Myth: Preservative-treated hay isn’t safe horses under some circumstances. Reality: Normal healthy horses can for horses. Unless they are placed in a feeder, the metabolize and excrete the extra amount of waste from a round bale may Reality: Most preservatives applied to protein in alfalfa hay without be relatively high (up to 40%). Large horse hay contain organic acids that damaging their kidneys. However, round bales that have been stored are the same as those found in the horses consuming high-protein diets under cover are safe to feed if they are horse’s gastrointestinal tract. may drink more water and produce mold free. Bales that have been stored Application of preservatives helps more urine as part of the normal outside may be used if the outer, produce mold-free hay. Initially, some excretion process. All horses should weather damaged layer is first removed. horses may prefer hay without pre- have access to clean water at all Twine or netting must also be removed. servative, but if they are not given a times. Round bales are most effective for choice, horses will consume the feeding large groups of horses where Myth: Alfalfa is too rich for horses. same amount of preservative-treated the hay is consumed rapidly. Round Reality: As with any feed, the nutrient and non-treated hay. bales that stay in the paddock for content of hay should be matched to several days are likely to become wet the nutrient needs of the horse. Early- and moldy. maturity alfalfa hay is very nutrient When hay is fed in pasture or paddock dense and is suitable for mares and to several horses at the same time, it is growing horses. If fed to recreational helpful to group horses by physiological horses, the intake of early-maturity state.This will allow the appropriate alfalfa hay must be restricted. Late- matching of the nutrient needs of the maturity alfalfa hay is less nutrient horses to the amount and quality of dense and is suitable for horses with forage offered. For example, if a 600-lb lower nutrient requirements. idle pony and a 1200-lb pregnant mare Myth: The calcium content of alfalfa is are allowed access to the same hay, it is too high, especially for young likely that either the pony will be growing horses. overfed or the pregnant mare will be Reality: Calcium has been fed at more underfed. In most situations, very high- than five times the requirement quality alfalfa hay should not be fed free without detrimental effects, provided choice. Because it is highly palatable and the phosphorus level is adequate. nutrient dense, free access often results in obesity in horses with moderate to Myth: Alfalfa makes horses cough. low nutrient requirements (most horses Reality: Any hay (alfalfa or grass) that kept for recreational purposes). A better contains dust or mold may make a National Alfalfa Alliance hay choice for these horses would be full horse cough. Horses should only 100 N. Fruitland, Suite B bloom alfalfa hay or an alfalfa-grass mix. receive hay that is free of dust and Kennewick,WA 99336 509-585-6798 www.alfalfa.org Horse photos on front and back pages: Phil Schofield, University of Idaho