Buying Horse Hay Dan Undersander, Jim Morrison, Ellen Phillips, Richard Leep, Paul Peterson, and Craig Sheaffer

A3772 Buying horse hay Dan Undersander, Jim Morrison, Ellen Phillips, Richard Leep, Paul Peterson, and Craig Sheaffer

hether used for work, such as pasture or hay than for owners erroneously believe that sports, recreation or grinding corn. Horses have a smaller feeding high-quality hay that contains companionship, horses digestive tract than most ruminants legumes invariably leads to digestive need high-quality and cannot handle as much bulk at upset. In fact, high-quality hay (e.g., Wforage. Not all hay has the same one time. Even so, lack of sufficient young alfalfa) can reduce the need for quality, even that grown or harvested forage in a horses diet can lead to additional supplement and will not at the same time. Quality hay has a digestive orders. cause digestive problems unless the high nutrient content and is free of quality or amount fed exceeds the dust, mold, and other foreign matter. The myths animal’s needs. Horses can be nutritionally deficient of feeding horses A more responsible approach is to even when plenty of forage is avail- There are more myths associated with recognize that all horses need some able to them. Alternately, leisure feeding horses than with most other hay and pasture. Feeding costs gener- horses can be overfed and encounter animals. The myths are often spread ally decline and animal health health problems due to diets too rich by horse owners who have little basic improves as hay is maximized and from very high-quality hay. Knowing animal nutrition training. For some, grain is minimized in the horse diet. the hay’s forage quality is the key. “horse hay” means dry, dust-free, This can be accomplished by feeding This publication describes the mature grass hay. This type of hay the highest quality forage appropriate nutrient needs of horses, helps you tends to be low in energy and protein, for your horse. The best quality determine how much and what and may not meet the horse’s needs. forage for your horse will depend on quality hay you’ll need, and provides Grass hay or grass mixed with many factors including age (growing a detailed checklist to guide you mature legumes is often best for vs. mature), physiological stage (e.g., when contacting hay sellers. mature idle horses that are housed pregnant vs. not), and activity level. Horses are natural forage eaters. primarily indoors. However, young Refer to figure 1 for specific forage Though not ruminants, they do best growing horses, pregnant or nursing quality needs for different activity with forage-based diets. A horse’s broodmares, and athletic performance levels. front teeth are ideally adapted for horses need more energy, protein, biting off grass. Its back molar teeth vitamins and minerals than this type The horse’s are better adapted for chewing feed of hay can provide. Some horse digestive system The horse’s digestive system is vastly different from other large domestic animals (ruminants). While horses are natural forage eaters, they do not have the large rumen for forage to flow into and be digested by microbes. Instead, consumed feed goes immediately to the stomach, which has relatively limited capacity. This is why horses are more suscepti- ble to molds that would be digested in the rumens of cows or sheep. Feed passes more rapidly through a horse’s digestive system than it does through a ruminant’s, preventing them from using low-quality hay as effectively. vitamins A, D, E, and K are absorbed Nutrient needs This difference in digestive physiol- in the small intestine along with ogy also means that horses should be calcium, phosphorous, and B of horses fed more frequently rather than given vitamins. Forage remains in the small The nutrients a horse needs depends large amounts in a single feeding. intestine for 30–90 minutes. on its physiological stage and activity level. Table 1 outlines the protein and Once the horse takes a bite of the hay The cecum and large colon of the energy requirements for various horse or pasture digestion begins as the horse is enlarged compared to types. In general, a young growing forage is chewed and wetted with ruminant species. This section of the horse has the highest requirement for saliva. A horse will normally add 3 horse’s gut serves a function similar energy, protein, minerals and vitamins gallons of saliva to the feed daily. to the rumen and contains many per pound of body weight. This Chewing reduces the particle size of species of bacteria, protozoa, and means that its diet needs to be the the forage and increases its surface fungi to digest the fibrous compo- most concentrated in nutrients. In area. Forage enters the stomach where nents of feed (cellulose and hemicel- contrast, a non-pregnant, mature soluble carbohydrates, proteins, fats lulose). The microbes convert fiber horse that is ridden less than daily and some minerals are enzymatically and other feed components to volatile (mature idle) has the lowest nutrient digested as would occur in our fatty acids which are absorbed by the requirement. Other classes of horses stomach. In about 15 minutes the horse as an energy source. These fall in between these extremes. Horses forage goes into the small intestine microbes also manufacture some that are worked hard daily or exposed where a high percentage of the protein, B vitamins, and vitamin K. to cold winter temperatures have protein, starch and fats from grain The feed then proceeds through the slightly higher energy needs than idle diets is digested to amino acids and small colon and rectum. Approxi- horses. absorbed. Only about one-third of the mately 65 hours after it was roughage component is digested in consumed, the digested feed leaves So how do you decide what quality of the small intestine. Most of the the animal. forage to buy? You’ll need to calculate the percent crude protein required and Table 1. Minimum energy and crude protein requirements for an you’ll need to consult figure 1 for the 1100-pound horse. appropriate relative feed value. A mature, idle horse that weighs about Digestible energy Crude protein 1100 pounds requires a minimum of Horse status calories (1000) (lb/day) 1.44 pounds of crude protein per day maintenance 16.4 1.44 (from table 1). If the horse eats 2% of working horse its body weight per day, it’s consuming light 20.5 1.8 22 pounds of hay. To determine the moderate 24.6 2.2 percent of crude protein needed, intense 32.8 2.9 divide the crude protein requirement mare, pregnant (1.44 lb/day) by the hay consumed (22 9th month 18.2 1.8 10th month 18.5 1.8 lb/day) and multiply by 100. In this 11th month 19.7 1.9 example, hay that has at least 6.5% mare, lactating crude protein will provide all of the early 28.3 3.1 protein the horse needs; no additional late 24.3 2.3 protein supplements are needed. Based weanling on this information, hay with a relative moderate growth 15.0 1.7 feed value (RFV) of 100–115 and crude rapid growth 17.2 1.9 protein (CP) of 6.5–15% will be yearling adequate for this animal. moderate growth 18.9 1.9 rapid growth 21.2 2.1 2 year old not in training 18.8 1.8 in training 26.3 2.5

Source: Nutrient Requirements of Horses, National Research Council, 1989

2 Selecting quality hay Quality terms The following terms are commonly Digestibility. The percentage of the Depending upon the use or the classi- used to measure hay quality. When forage that would be digested in a fication of the horse (maintenance, evaluating values, be sure they are rumen. May be measured by in vitro pregnant, lactating, etc.), hay can expressed as a percent of dry matter digestibility (more accurate) or cal- supply 50–100% of the needed nutri- of the hay. The numbers following culated from ADF (less accurate). ents. When buying horse hay, you each definition (where appropriate) Though horses do not have a should select the quality your horse represent the ideal range for horses. rumen, this is the best estimate of needs at the lowest cost. To determine Dry matter (DM). The percent of energy available to them from a the quality needed, refer to figure 1 the forage that is not water. forage. Digestible energy is the below. energy in a forage that is processed Acid detergent fiber (ADF). The by an animal and not excreted in Forage quality encompasses all charac- percentage of highly indigestible feces. (50Ð60% dry matter) teristics that affect consumption, and slowly digestible material in the Relative feed value (RFV). nutrient value, and resulting horse forage or feed. Lower ADF indicates A cal- culated index used to rank forages health and performance. Not surpris- more digestible forage and is more by potential intake of digestible dry ingly, there can be wide variations in desirable. (30Ð45% dry matter) matter. Average full bloom alfalfa Neutral detergent fiber (NDF). hay quality. Hay can be analyzed to hay has an RFV of 100. Higher- The percentage of cell wall material estimate how the horse will perform. quality hay would have an RFV or fiber in the feed. Lower NDF But ultimately, it is the horse rather greater than 100. Protein is not results in greater animal consump- than the human that determines used in calculating RFV. (100Ð135) tion. (40Ð50% dry matter) forage quality. Total digestible nutrients Crude protein (CP). Amixture of (TDN). The sum of crude protein, true protein and nonprotein fat (multiplied by 2.25), non-struc- nitrogen. Crude protein percentage tural carbohydrates, and digestible indicates the capacity of the feed to NDF. TDN is often estimated by cal- meet an animal’s protein needs. culation from ADF. It is better esti- Forage cut in early maturity or with mated from in vitro digestibility. a high leaf-to-stem ratio has a high CP content. (8Ð20% dry matter)

Figure 1. Forage quality need of horses and cattle.

■ dairy, 1st trimester dairy calf

■ dairy, last 200 days ■ heifer, 3-12 mo.

■ nursing mare ■ hard-working horse

■ heifer, 12-18 mo. ■ beef cow with calf

■ oodmare ■

■ idle horse ■ heifer, 18-24 mo. ■ dry cow

1 00 110 120 1 30 140 1 50 160

relative feed value 3 Quality differences Hay quality is determined by analysis and determination of a sample at a forage testing labora- Taking a Quality differences exist among tory. A hay analysis typically includes representative grasses and legumes, plant species, percent moisture, dry matter, acid growth stages, and growing environ- detergent fiber, neutral detergent sample ment. Legume hay and well-managed fiber, crude protein, and mineral Taking a representative sample for content with many calculated values legume-grass hay are typically higher hay analysis is essential. The labo- such as net energy, total digestible in protein, energy, and minerals than ratory will accurately analyze the pure grass hay under similar manage- nutrients (TDN), and relative feed sample, but if the sample does not ment. However, with good manage- value (RFV). represent the hay lot, the analysis ment, most hay species or mixtures Laboratories can analyze hay either can be satisfactory for horses. by chemical or near infrared will be meaningless. A few grab The most important factor affecting reflectance (NIRS) methods. Both are samples from hay flakes do not quality is the stage of maturity of the accurate. Allow 2 weeks for chemical represent a cross-section of the forage when it is harvested. As forage analysis and 2–3 days for NIRS bale and should not be used! The plants mature (from the vegetative analysis. The list of National Forage preferred sampling tool is a bale Testing Association certified laborato- stage to flower bud to bloom to seed probe (14Ð24 inches long with a formation), their nutritive value ries is available on the web at 1⁄2-inch diameter) designed to declines because they have fewer www.foragetesting.org. attach to an electric drill or brace. leaves and more stems (lower protein, higher fiber). For high-quality hay, Using the probe, take a core from alfalfa should be at the 10% bloom the center of the end of 20 different stage and cool-season grasses small square bales (see figure 2). (orchardgrass, bromegrass, timothy, Combine the cores thoroughly and etc.) should be at the boot stage (seed submit a 1⁄2-pound sample. head just ready to emerge from leaf Medium-sized bales (800Ð1200 lb) whorl). Subsequent harvests can be taken at 30- to 35-day intervals. can be sampled anywhere on the ends. Round bales should be cored on the curved side straight in towards the bale center. If grab Figure 2. Alfalfa hay bale structure samples must be taken, be careful cut side that the samples taken have the same leafiness as the rest of the bale. As with core samples, take sample here several grab samples (because bales vary) and combine them to produce a single sample for analysis.

highest concentration of leaves

4 Visual criteria for quality In addition to laboratory analysis (for Leafy bleached hay may contain as dry matter, energy, protein and much energy and protein as green minerals), a visual inspection should hay if leafy. Hay preservatives (i.e., be made. Evaluate the hay for leafi- propionate) may reduce the bright ness (steminess), fineness of stem, green color of fresh hay, but they color, odor, and freedom from weeds, also reduce the leaf loss and molds, or other contaminants that will improve digestibility of the forage. reduce animal consumption and cause (See the hay preservatives section health problems. on page 8). Leafiness is closely related to nutri- Odor may be indicative of molds or tive value and quality. Leaves bacterial growth that could cause contain more nutrients than stems. digestive problems. Many horses Baling before plants mature, baling that are unaccustomed to the at the proper moisture content, and unusual odor of preserved hay may having minimal insect and disease initially reject it, but generally problems will help retain leaves on consume it readily after a few days the stem. Loose leaves in the bale of acclimatization. can be lost during handling and Texture or softness relates to feeding. stem size and palatability. Fine- Color is often deceiving and overesti- stemmed hay that is “soft” to the mated as an indicator of quality. touch indicates to some extent Although bright green hay often palatability or acceptance by the indicates the absence of rain horse. Brittle hay may or may not damage, weathering, molds, and be nutritious, but if horses have heat damage, be careful not to trouble eating it they will not evaluate bales on color alone. Color perform well. can be misleading for a variety of Freedom from mold, injurious reasons. For example, bales are weeds and insects, dust, commonly bleached on the outside and foreign matter will reduce while the inside is still very green. the potential for animal health Bright green weeds may have lower problems. Refer to the list on pages nutrient value than bleached alfalfa. 6 and 7 for a description of factors and symptoms to watch for.

5 Toxicity problems with hay

Contact your veterinarian immediately if you suspect your horse has ingested or inhaled a poisonous substance. Fungi Plants Dust and molds Many poisonous plants are not palat- Hoary alyssum Moldy and dusty hay can cause able and will be rejected by horses Horses experience depression and a health problems affecting the horse’s unless they are underfed. The extent “stocking up” or swelling of the lower respiratory and digestive systems. A of symptoms is influenced by the legs. A fever and short-term diarrhea musty odor indicates the hay was amount of weed consumed and the may occur as well as a founder with harvested too moist, allowing molds concentration of the toxic agent in a stiffness of joints. to develop. The severity of a mold the plant. For additional information Horsetail problem depends on the feeding and photographs, visit the University Ingestion of foliage causes loss of conditions (is the space well venti- of Illinois Veterinary Medicine condition, excitability, unthriftiness, lated?), the horse’s ability to tolerate Library—Plants Toxic to Animals web staggering gait, rapid pulse, difficult mold or dust, and the dust and mold site at www.library.uiuc.edu/vex/ breathing, diarrhea and emaciation. itself. The best test of dust or mold is vetdocs/toxic.htm. Death preceded by convulsions and to smell the hay. A laboratory Alsike clover, hay and pasture coma. analysis for mold will not be helpful Symptoms include reddening and Milkweed, common since many molds are not harmful. inflammation of the skin and mouth Weakness, when areas are exposed to sunlight loss of (photosensitization). Can also cause muscle skin necrosis and liver damage. control, and Light-colored horses are particularly staggering susceptible. appear Brackenfern soon after The first signs of brackenfern poison- ingestion. ing in horses are usually an unsteady Seizures, gait, a “tucked up” appearance of the rapid breath- flanks, nervousness, timidity, conges- ing, and tion of the visible mucous mem- dilated pupils branes, and constipation. Later, the also occur. The toxin is a resinoid— horse may stand with legs spread. galitoxin—but the foliage also Cocklebur contains glucosides and alkaloids. Seeds and seedlings are the most Nightshade family (black night- toxic due to present of glucosides. shade, horse nettle, jimpson weed) Symptoms include loss of appetite, Foliage and green fruit contains alka- staggering, spasmodic contraction of loids affects the nervous system Ergot leg and neck muscles, paralysis causing weakness, trembling, This fungus produces large, dark, anorexia, reduced responsiveness, labored breathing, nausea, constipa- spur-like structures protruding from vomiting, rapid weak pulse, and tion or diarrhea, death. First the seedheads of cool-season muscular weakness. symptoms may be paralysis of grasses (brome, fescue, orchard, tongue and dilated pupils. ryegrass, timothy, bluegrass, and Foxtail millet quackgrass) and small grains Foxtail millet has been reported to Red clover, hay and pasture (barley, oats, wheat and rye). The have a diuretic effect on horses. In Red clover hay may trigger exces- occurrence of ergot varies year to addition, barbs from the coarse, sive salivation, which is more of a year and is triggered by cool, wet fuzzy seed heads may become nuisance or cosmetic issue than a conditions during the spring period. embedded in the horse’s mouth. danger to the horse. Slobbering Ergot can cause gangrenous type of appears to be associated with a poisoning and abortion. Ergot can be fungal plant disease called black prevented in hay by harvesting patch. before seedheads appear.

6 Sudangrass and sorghum- Insects and animals Opossums sudangrass, hay and pasture Blister beetles (four types: striped, Try to keep opossums out of the hay Sudangrass and sorghum-sudan- black, ash gray, margined) Blister storage area. They carry a poten- grass contain cyanide compounds beetles produce a toxic compound, tially fatal parasitic disease that is and nitrates. They have been cantharadin. Consuming as few as shed in their feces. Horses become reported to cause lower spinal cord 12 beetles, even if they are killed or infected if they eat hay contaminated damage resulting in urinary disor- smashed during the hay-making by opossum feces. ders, abortion, birth defects, and process, can kill a horse. The beetle Other paralysis. is rarely present in first cutting Nitrates, high levels in hay or pasture alfalfa. Subsequent cuttings should Tall fescue, endophyte-infected, hay High levels of nitrates may cause be made before bloom since the The hay of endophyte-infected tall death. Symptoms include increased insect is attracted to flowering fescue should not be fed to pregnant salivation, labored breathing, unco- alfalfa. Blister beetles are more mares, especially during the last 3 ordination, weak pulse, muscle commonly found in hay produced in months of gestation. Hay may be tremors, vomiting, diarrhea, and suf- the southern United States and in tested for presence of the endophyte focation. A characteristic finding is periods of drought when grasshop- at a forage laboratory. the chocolate discoloration of the pers are present. Tree leaves blood and blueness of membranes. The leaves of several species of Some weeds—pigweed, lambsquar- trees are toxic to horses. These ter, and nightshade—naturally accu- include oak, red maple, locust, and mulate nitrates. Grasses heavily fer- black walnut. tilized with nitrogen (including manure) or produced under drought White snakeroot conditions may have toxic levels of Leaves contain the aromatic oil nitrate and should be tested prior to tremetol, which causes congestive feeding. If in doubt, have hay tested heart failure in horses. Animals may at any forage testing laboratory. be reluctant to move, stand with legs wide apart, and may stumble if Margined blister beetle forced to walk. Profuse sweating may be evident especially between rear legs. Bloody urine and/or choking may also occur. The toxin can be passed through the milk to foals.

Black blister beetle

Ash gray blister beetle

Striped blister beetle

7 Which cutting to buy? Purchasing, What kind of bale Horse owners frequently ask what is transporting, should I buy? the best cutting to buy. Hay from any Traditionally, horse owners have pre- cutting can be very high or very low and storing hay ferred using small square bales. in quality depending on maturity of How much hay However, there are situations where forage when cut and how good the owners should consider purchasing do I need? haymaking and storage conditions either large rectangular or round Horses will eat 1.5–2.5% of their body were. Hay buyers should not be bales. If you will be remodeling your weight every day in dry matter. Grass overly concerned about which barn, it may be worth your time and or hay can meet 50–100% of that cutting, but should instead ask about money to consider accommodating requirement. So if an 1100-pound the stage of maturity when the forage large rectangular bales because these horse eats 2% of his body weight each was baled and an analysis of hay are becoming more available than day in hay for 6 months, the horse quality. small square bales and cost less per will eat approximately 4000 pounds ton of feed. At a minimum, a 12-ft x (2 tons) of hay. You can figure out Hay preservatives 12-ft door is needed to back a truck in how much hay your horse will eat Organic acid hay preservatives (for for easy unloading. For larger loads using the calculations below. example, buffered propionic acid) and trucks, consider a 16-foot-high properly applied at the time of baling Before placing an order, you’ll need door. For a comparison of the differ- inhibit mold growth that occurs in to make several adjustments to the ent bale types, refer to table 3. hay baled above 18–20% moisture calculations. First, deduct any pasture No matter what type of bale you and eliminate pockets of mold consumed by the horse. In the upper purchase, there will be differences in growth in hay. Their use can also Midwest, pasture can meet the full the weight of the bales. The type of decrease field drying times and needs of most horses for 5–7 months hay, moisture content, and how reduce leaf loss by allowing for baling of the year. Then factor in the amount densely the equipment packs or com- at up to 25% moisture. Research indi- lost to spoilage and feeding waste. presses it can cause substantial differ- cates that hay treated with most The amounts lost vary depending on ences in the weight. Note that, espe- chemical preservatives is safe to feed bale type and storage and feeding cially with small square bales, you to horses as long as no dust or mold decisions and are discussed in the can get up to twice as much hay in is present. next section. some bales as in others.

How much hay will your horse eat in a year? You can figure out how many bales or how many tons of hay your horse will eat in a year using the following equations: Horse weight (lb) x (percent daily intake ÷ 100) = lb eaten/day lb eaten/day x 365 days/year = lb/year bales/year = lb/year ÷ lb/bale tons/year = lb/year ÷ 2000 lb/ton Example: A horse weighs 1100 pounds and has a daily intake of 2%. Note the differ- ence bale weight plays in the total number of bales needed when the average bale weight is 35 pounds vs. 50 pounds. 1100 lb x (2% ÷ 100) = 22 lb hay/day 22 lb/day x 365 days/year = 8030 lb/year bales/year: 8030 lb/year ÷ 35 lb/bale = 230 bales/year 8030 lb/year ÷ 50 lb/bale = 160 bales/year tons/year: 8030 lb/year ÷ 2000 pounds/ ton = 4 tons/year

8 Table 3. Comparison of various bale types.

Description Advantages Disadvantages Uses

Small square bales Easy to handle and store. Highest cost per ton. In barns or horse trailers to Size: 14 in x 18 in x 38 in Easy to break off flakes Wire bales need to be feed any number of horses. Weight: 35Ð80 lb for two- (small portions). opened cautiously to prevent string (twine or wire) bale splinters of metal in the hay. Feeds one horse:b 2Ð3 days Higher cost and labor to move bales.

Rectangular Efficient use of storage Requires equipment to move In pastures to feed a large (“square”) bales space. bales. number of horses (10 or Medium Able to use small portions as Need to use feeders to more) during winter to with small square bales. prevent waste, but few minimize labor of delivering Size: 6 ft x 3 ft x 2 ft hay daily. Easier to load and transport pasture feeders are avail- Weight: 800Ð1200 lb able. In dry lots to minimize labor (equivalent to 16Ð24 than round bales. a If used outdoors, bales must of moving hay bales every small square bales ) Becoming more readily avail- day. b able than small square bales. be stored off the ground and Feeds one horse: covered since they readily In barn feeding. 36Ð54 days If the farm is nearby, the absorb water and can mold. Large supplier might be willing to provide a service of periodi- Can have significant waste if Size: 8 ft x 4 ft x 4 ft cally delivering bales directly fed to fewer than about 10 Weight: 1500Ð2500 lb into feeders. horses. (equivalent to 30Ð50 small square balesa) Feeds one horse:b 60Ð100 days

Round (rolled) bales Readily available in the Difficult to store and move. In pastures to feed a large Size: 4 ft x 5 ft Midwest. Delivery of a single bale is number of horses (10 or more) during winter to Weight: 500Ð1200 lb Less expensive per ton than costly unless the farm is near small square bales. your stable. minimize labor of daily (equivalent to 10Ð24 delivering hay. small square balesa) Reduced labor costs if Difficult to unroll a small In dry lots to minimize labor Feeds one horse:b machinery is available to portion (flake) for one horse. move bales. of moving hay bales every 20Ð50 days If stored unprotected outside, day. Good for pastures where a may lose nearly half the dry large number of horses are matter weight to spoilage. being fed. Cover with tarp and store off If the farm is nearby, the the ground to preserve supplier might be willing to quality. provide a service of periodi- If fed free choice on the cally delivering bales directly ground outside, may lose up into feeders. to 40% due to spoilage and trampling by horses. Consider using a round bale feeder and placing bales on pallets. a 50-lb bales b Assumes one horse eats 22 pounds per day. The calculation allows 10% waste for storage and feeding. If feeding horses free choice on the ground outdoors, plan on 30% waste for small square bales and 60% waste for round and large rectangular bales.

9 The information in table 4 will help How is a fair hay price Consider buying one year’s supply of you compare the costs associated determined? hay from one lot of hay. A “lot” refers with different bale types and storage The price for hay includes all of the to hay that comes from the same and feeding options. In this example, costs for raising and harvesting the cutting and the same hay field. If all six 1100-pound horses will consume hay. It may or may not include the hay comes from one lot, you 51 round bales or 646 small square storage and transportation costs. should be able to minimize variations bales over a 220-day period. Farmers know their bottom line costs in hay quality. When hay comes from However, storage and feeding losses and set their price accordingly. different lots, you need to gradually will significantly reduce the amount Therefore, prices generally are not change to the new hay over 4–7 days of hay actually available. Extra hay negotiable when purchasing on a to reduce feed refusal. needs to be purchased to offset these bale-by-bale basis. If you are willing Buying hay “out of the field” during losses. If round bales are stored to purchase hay by the ton or semi- the summer is often more economical outdoors unprotected on the ground load, there might be some room for since it does not include storage and fed free choice, an additional 60% negotiating a lower price depending charges. You would take immediate more hay must be purchased (25% on the farmer and their costs. Keep in delivery of the hay and store it in storage loss + 35% feeding loss). By mind that quality and bargains are your barn or hay sheds. You might contrast, covering round bales with rarely found together. consider purchasing your own wagon tarp, storing them off the ground, and Prices within a region do not vary so that the hay can be placed directly feeding them in a feeder would cut much. However, prices may change on your wagon in the field, minimiz- the losses to 10%. The difference from year to year depending on the ing handling costs. Farmers will also between these storage and feeding growing season, amount of hay appreciate this because their wagons practices translates to a savings of produced in the region and the are not tied up while you haul a load $728 (26 bales x $28/bale); actual demand for hay. Generally, hay prices home and unload it. savings are higher if you include the are lower during the growing season cost of handling the extra bales. and rise in the winter and spring. Your county Extension agent can tell you what the current hay prices are in your region. Another source of infor- mation is available on the web at www.hayexchange.com/hay.htm.

Table 4. Comparison of hay costs with storage and feeding losses included. (Calculates the hay needed to feed six 1100-pound horses for 220 days. Assumes 2% dry matter intake.)

—————Round bales (576 lb)————— —Small square bales (45 lb)— Unprotected and fed free Protected bales choice on the ground fed in a feeder Fed on ground Fed into a feeder Feed needed for 220 daysa 51 bales 51 bales 646 bales 646 bales Storage losses, % dry matter 25% 5% 5% 5% Feeding losses, % dry matter 35% 5% 25% 5% Total bales required 82 bales 56 bales 840 bales 711 bales —losses included Price per bale $28.00 $28.00 $2.50 $2.50 Total cost $2296.00 $1568.00 $2100.00 $1777.50 a Feed needed = (22 lb/day x 6 horses x 220 days) ÷ bale wt b Total bales required = feed needed + ((total losses x feed needed) ÷ 100)

10 If you cannot buy hay out of the field, consider contracting for all the hay you will need for the year during the growing season rather than waiting until winter when prices rise. The contract price would include hay storage at the farm until it is picked up or delivered. Minimizing transportation costs Transportation of hay is expensive due to labor, fuel, and equipment maintenance and depreciation costs. To get the best price per ton, you need to purchase a semi-truckload of There are several things you can do to If building a new facility, think about hay—not just a few bales. Table 5 will save significant amounts of time creating storage space that’s readily give you an idea of how many bales while unloading and storing hay: accessible to vehicles. If the truck can will fit in a truckload. If a neighbor- ■ Use a forklift to unload hay stored easily be driven up close to the ing horse owner is interested, you on pallets from the truck. storage site, the seller will be more may be able to purchase a truckload likely to want to sell more hay than if ■ Consider purchasing your own together and request that the delivery each bale has to be carried some wagon. Deliver it to your hay be separated at the two barns. Since distance by hand into the barn. delivery costs are similar for large dealer before hay cutting. Once and small loads, the total price per the hay is loaded, you can drive it ton is significantly higher for small to your shed and store it on the loads. trailer until you are ready to use it or have time to store it in your Minimizing handling costs barn. Unloading the truck may or may not ■ Live-floor wagons are smaller and be negotiable. Discuss this with the can quickly, mechanically unload hay dealer before purchasing the hay. all the bales at once. If your barn If you’re unloading the truck by has 12-ft x 12-ft doors, a live-floor hand, keep in mind that time is trailer could be backed in to money. Plan to have enough people unload hay. on hand to quickly unload the truck and get the truck back on the road. A rule of thumb is that one healthy, strong adult can unload 60–80 small square bales in one hour depending on the distance to where the bales Table 5. Approximate number of bales that can fit in a load. Actual amounts will will be stacked. vary depending on the trailer and bale size.

Large Small rectangular Vehicle type square bales Round bales bales Semi-truck 460Ð800 22 80Ð130 Live-floor trailer 180Ð225 12 30Ð38 Wagons, flat racks, 100Ð250 3Ð6 17Ð42 floor trailers

11 Buying hay on the Internet Many web sites now list farmers that have hay for sale on a state-by-state basis. Keep in mind as you look at different sellers, that transportation costs raise the price of hay substan- tially the farther the farm is from your stable. To make a wise purchase—whether online or in person—the following checklist will help make the purchase process Buy by weight not volume per ton would be $150. You may or smoother. And prior to finalizing the Hay can be priced on a per bale or may not get the same number of sale, verify the delivered price of the per ton basis. Knowing the price per flakes from each of these bales hay and define in detail your right to ton can help you comparatively shop depending on how the hay was refuse bales since you won’t be able between hay dealers. Then it won’t baled. For help converting prices to check the quality until it arrives. matter how many pounds per bale— between cost per ton and cost per only how many bales should be bale, refer to the conversion equations delivered for your settled price. Table below. 6 provides a quick look-up table to Weighing bales. Acommon see how many bales of various bathroom scale is adequate for weights make up a ton. For example, weighing small square bales. Check if you pay $3.00 per bale and the the weight of 5–10 bales from differ- average weight of the bales is 50 ent parts of the lot to get an average pounds, a ton of hay costs $120 weight of the bales from that lot. (price/bale x bales/ton). If you had Large rectangular bales and round paid $3.00 per bale for hay that bales need to be weighed on a truck averaged 40 pounds per bale, the cost scale.

Table 6. Estimating the number of bales per ton of hay at various bale weights.

Average bale weight (lb) 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 Number of bales per ton 66.7 57.1 50.0 44.4 40.0 36.4 33.3 30.7 28.6 26.7

Compare hay prices by converting price/bale to price/ton Bale weights often vary from seller to seller making it difficult to accurately compare hay prices. By converting to price/ton you can determine which lot is the best buy. First, you’ll need to know the average bale weight. To do this, weigh three bales from different locations within the lot. Add the weights and divide by three to compute the average. Then use the calculations below to make the conversion.

Price/bale —> Price/ton Price/ton —> Price/bale 2000 lb/ton ÷ average bale weight = bales/ton of hay Price/ton ÷ 2000 lb/ton = price/lb Bales/ton x price/bale = price/ton Price/lb x average bale weight = price/bale Example: Example: Average bale weight is 50 lb and hay costs $2.75/bale. Average bale weight is 50 lb and hay costs $120/ton. 2000 lb/ton ÷ 50 lb/bale = 40 bales/ton $120/ton ÷ 2000 lb/ton = $0.06 per pound of hay 40 bales/ton x $2.75/bale = $110/ton $0.06/lb x 50 lb/bale = $3.00 per bale

12 Hay storage Store hay in a dry location off The following suggestions can reduce considerations the ground. Regardless of whether animal health problem due to dust: Whether you store hay indoors or hay is stored indoors or out, select an ■ Feed in a well-ventilated out, the following considerations can area where water does not accumu- barn. Many horse barns are so help to make your storage site more late. Place bales on a cement slab, poorly ventilated that, when accessible and minimize losses due to gravel bed, layer of tires, wooden horses stir up dust from their feed deterioration and rodent damage. pallet, or other object that will break and bedding, it remains in the air the soil contact and prevent moisture Select a dry location that’s con- rather than being moved out and uptake. If bales are left in direct venient for delivery and feeding. exchanged for fresh air. The barn contact with the ground, as much as During the winter, indoor storage should have an exhaust fan or 12 inches of the lower layer of hay makes feeding easier than outdoor natural ventilation that exchanges may be lost to mold and deteriora- storage. total barn air volume once or tion. twice per hour. Protect the bales from rain and Try to keep the storage area rel- snow. Although inside storage is ■ Hay should be fed in a atively rodent free. Rodents can preferable and more convenient, shallow manger. Making the invade a haystack and cause signifi- outdoor storage can be acceptable if horse reach down into a deep cant losses as well as potential animal bales are adequately protected. Cover manger to get hay forces him to health problems. outdoor bales with plastic or tarp and breath in an area where dust has tie it down to keep it from blowing in Feeding hay been concentrated. Wire mangers the wind. Although round bales shed can also be used to eliminate this Respiratory problems from dusty hay water better than square bales, they problem. are always a major concern to horse still suffer significant losses if they’re ■ Put hay and bedding in the owners. It is important to recognize left uncovered in storage. Round bales stall when the horse is out. that all hay will have some dust as may be stacked and covered or indi- leaves and stems are broken. Thus, This will allow the dust to dissi- vidual bales may be wrapped or while very dusty and, especially, moldy pate before the horse returns. covered with plastic. In the latter case, hay should be avoided, moderate ■ Wet down hay if it is dusty. make sure that bale ends do not touch amounts of dust can be tolerated by Wetting the hay will keep dust because this will be a place for water having good feeding conditions. with the hay and not allow it to or snow to remain and be absorbed, become airborne. causing mold and deterioration. ■ Feed animals outside if possible. Open-air feeding allows dust to dissipate quickly, so the horse inhales less of the dust from the hay. This has the added benefit of reducing the amount of manure deposited indoors.

13 Hay checklist: things to consider before you buy Being a knowledgeable hay buyer is part of being a responsible horse owner. It is important to find a hay dealer who doesn’t mind if you ask questions. If possible, inspect hay at the farmer’s shed. Check the entire lot of hay you are pur- chasing. Select a couple of bales from various portions of the storage lot and break them open to check for consistency. If the hay is being delivered, inspect three to five bales from different sections of the truck, before unloading the hay.

Growing season and ■ What cutting of hay is this? Overall, Quality information forage information there are not great differences in ■ Is there a lab analysis describing the ■ What stage were the plants at when quality between cuttings. However, hay quality? Compare the price per the field was cut? The ideal cutting first cutting hay can have larger quality as well as the price per ton. If time is before flowering; you do not stems, which horses may reject. you are buying a large quantity, the hay dealer may be willing to have want many seed heads present. ■ Were there any blister beetles the hay tested. ■ What is the approximate mix of present this cutting? ■ How was the hay cured? legumes and grasses present? This ■ Is there tall fescue in the hay field? is an indication of forage quality—at Fescue toxicosis causes problems ■ Ask to break one or two bales open least 30% legumes is desirable. for brood mares. from different part of the lot. Look for ■ color, presence of undesirable mate- Was the hay rained on? There is a ■ Can I inspect the field where my hay rials, consistency of forages present, potential for the loss of some will come from? You would want to etc. vitamins and energy if there was a check for poisonous or unpalatable delay in baling the hay. plants that the hay dealer may not Price and payment ■ What types of legumes (alfalfa, know are poisonous to horses. clover, etc.) are present? If your information ■ horse is sensitive to red clover, Bale information Is hay sold by bale, ton, truckload? ■ alfalfa, or some other legume, and If buying by the bale, what is their ■ Does the price include loading at the you do not want this in the hay, average weight? How was this farmer’s barn? make certain you specify this so determined? If on delivery, bale there is no misunderstanding. weight is less than described, the ■ Does the price include transportation price/bale should be renegotiated. to your stable? ■ What weeds or trees are present in Refer to the sidebar on page 12 to and around the field? Are any of ■ Does the price include unloading calculate a fair price. these poisonous to horses? and storing the hay at your stable? ■ Is there any mold in the hay? Avoid ■ What types of grasses (orchard- ■ If you are picking up the hay, does purchasing moldy hay. grass, smooth bromegrass, etc.) are the seller have anyone who can help present? ■ Are bales bound by twine or metal? you load? Will there be a charge for this help? You can usually load hay ■ Are all the bales from the same lot / faster than unloading and properly cutting of hay? This will assure con- stacking the hay. sistent quality. ■ Are taxes included in the price? ■ If you have access to a forklift: Are small square bales available on ■ Is payment by cash, check, or credit palettes? This can simplify unloading card? When is payment due? Most and storage. likely this will be at time of order, particularly if the price includes delivery.

■ For independent or small farmers: Would they be willing to exchange your labor for a lower price? The farmer may not be willing to do this for safety and insurance reasons.

14 Storage information ■ How will the hay be stored until it is ■ Are there rodent, snake, and/or picked up or delivered? small mammal carcasses present? A decomposing animal in one bale ■ How long can the dealer store the can contaminate a large number of hay? bales surrounding it with an odor ■ If the dealer stores the hay, is there that will cause horses to reject it. It an added fee? may also potentially introduce botulism, usually a fatal disease. ■ If I contract the hay this summer and the farm stores the hay, can the ■ Is the hay off color? Yellow hay may dealer guarantee all the hay deliv- indicate sun bleached or rained on ered to your stable comes from the hay. The quality might be slightly same lot of hay? lower, but still adequate for horses. If the hay is dark brown or black, When do I have a right this indicates problems with storage and the hay is not good. to reject a bale or load? ■ Does the hay shatter? If the leaves ■ What if I accept a load at the time of fall off of the stems when it is delivery and later discover that it squeezed, this can lead to respira- has mold or another problem? What tory problems for horses and a recourse do I have? Will the dealer dusty barn. Most of the nutrients are exchange the bales? in the leaves so you don’t want to lose them. ■ Is mold present (off odor, white ■ powder)? Are there large or stiff stems? Brittle stems or large stems can be difficult ■ Is the hay dusty? Dust can irritate for horses to consume. It often indi- horses and cause respiratory cates that the hay was harvested problems. very late and the nutritional quality has declined. ■ Are there any poisonous plants? There should be no poisonous plants.

■ Are there excessive weeds?

■ Are the forages present that were contracted for?

■ Are there a large number of seed heads present? Seed heads indicate the hay was harvested late and that the nutritional quality is lower.

15 Copyright © 2002 by the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System doing business as the division of Cooperative Extension of the University of Wisconsin- Extension. Send inquiries about copyright permission to: Director, Cooperative Extension Publishing, 103 Extension Building, 432 N. Lake Street, Madison, WI 53706. Authors: Dan Undersander is forage agronomist at the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison and University of Wisconsin-Extension, Cooperative Extension; Jim Morrison and Ellen Phillips are crop systems educators at the University of Illinois; Richard Leep is forage agronomist at Michigan State University; and Paul Peterson and Craig Sheaffer are forage agronomists at the University of Minnesota. Thanks to the following photo contributors: Jim Ducy, p. 13; Wolfgang Hoffmann, cover background image, pp. 14, 15; Jim Morrison, p. 5; Ellen Phillips, pp. 1, 6 (milkweed); Marlin Rice, p. 7; Dean Scoggins, p. 6 (hay); Dan Undersander, pp. 11, 12. Produced by Cooperative Extension Publishing, University of Wisconsin-Extension. Linda Deith, editor; Susan Anderson, designer. University of Wisconsin-Extension, Cooperative Extension, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Wisconsin counties, publishes this information to further the purpose of the May 8 and June 30, 1914 Acts of Congress; and provides equal opportunities and affirmative action in employment and programming. If you need this material in an alternative format, contact the Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity Programs or call Cooperative Extension Publishing at 608-262-2655. This publication is available from county Extension offices in any of the participating states or from Cooperative Extension Publishing, 45 N. Charter St., Madison, WI 53715. Call toll-free 877-WIS-PUBS (947-7827). Before publicizing, please check on this publication’s availability. To see more University of Wisconsin-Extension publica- tions, visit our web site at www.uwex.edu/ces/pubs/. A3772 Buying Horse Hay I-07-02-11.5M-300