My Horse University and eXtension’s HorseQuest welcome you to this live Webcast.

Optimizing YourHay Supply

Krishona Martinson, PhDEquine Extension Specialist

University of Minnesota

Meet our presenter:

Krishona MartinsonEquine Extension Specialist

University of Minnesota

Dr. Bridgett McIntoshEquine Extension Specialist

University of Tennessee

Questions facilitated by:

OutlineBuy quality hayFeeding examplesHay testingReducing feedingand storage wasteResearch Update

Forage is the FoundationHorses are non-ruminant herbivores designed to utilize forages as the primary component of their diet.Horses required 2 to 3% of their body weight in feed each day.At least half of their daily feed intake should be in the form of roughage.

When Buying Hay…Look for:• What’s in the hay (species)• How mature is the hay• Touch• Smell• Color• Presence of mold and weeds

Buy Quality HayContent/Species

Percent of grass and legumes in the hay.Legumes have a higher protein content than grasses.Fiber from grasses is more digestible than that of alfalfa at the same stage of maturity.

Content/SpeciesGrass?Alfalfa?Mixture?

Content/SpeciesGrass?Alfalfa?Mixture?

Content/SpeciesGrass?Alfalfa?Mixture?

Buy Quality HayMaturity

Plants have more fiber and less protein as they mature.Indicators of maturity are flowers for legumes, and seed heads for grasses.Leaves have more protein and digestible energy and less fiber than stems.

MaturityMature hay?Young hay?

Note: This is still very good hay forcertain groups of horses.

MaturityMature hay?Young hay?

Buy Quality HayTouch

A horse’s mouth, lips and tongue are very sensitive.Softer hay will usually be consumed more readily.If the hay feels rough to you, it will feel rough to your horse.

Buy Quality HaySmell

A sweet smell is attractive to horses.A sweet smell is usuallya good indication ofhaving readily availableenergy.

Buy Quality HayColor

Do not get hung up on color!Green is very appealing and a good indicator of quality.Bleached color indicates exposure to sunlight or rain.Bleached hay can still contain many other essential nutrients and can be fed to horses.If in doubt, have the hay tested.

Green Does Not Mean Good!

ColorDon’t let a bleachedappearance scare you off…Investigate!

Buy Quality HayYou Should Know the Moisture

Hay baled between 10 and 17% moisture is optimum.Hay reserved for long term storage should be less than 17% moisture.Hay over 18% poses the threat of molding.Hay baled above 25% poses the threat of severe heat damage and serves as a potential fire hazard.

Pennsylvania State Extension

Hay CharacteristicsMold is a direct result of hay baled too wet (or storage issues)

Mold is detrimental if the horse inhales it, and has the potential to be toxic and/or upset the digestive system.If they hay has been stored inside and is not moldy, then the risk of it getting mold is very low.Do not buy hay that is moldy, as it will only get worse.

Buy Quality HayMoldy hay is bad…

Buy Quality Hay…but, fire is worse!

Hay CharacteristicsHow do you determine moisture?

Hay analysisTrusting relationship with hay supplierBuy hay that has been stored (2-4 weeks)Investigate bales – bales should neverbe hot to the touch.

When Buying Hay…RecapYou should know…• What’s in the hay (species)• How mature is the hay• Touch• Smell• Color (bleached color OK)• Presence of mold and weeds

Feeding Hay• Feed the right hay for your horse.• Feeding too good of hay can

result in weight gain andexcessive spending ($$$)

• Feeding too poor of hay canresult in weight loss and otherhealth problems.

Feeding HayExample 1: Adult Idle Horse

Horse Weight: 1,000 lbsRequired Daily Feed Intake: 2% body weightTotal intake per day: 20 lbsPercentage of Hay in Daily Ration: 100%Percentage of Concentrate in Daily Ration: 0%Amount of Hay Required in Daily Ration: 20 lbsAmount of Concentrate Required in Daily Ration: 0 lb

Provided by Dr. Bridgett McIntosh, University of Tennessee

Feeding HayExample 1: Adult Idle Horse

What hay type is best?

Feeding HayExample 1: Adult Idle Horse

The nutrient requirements of adult idlehorses can be met by good quality grass hayalone.Hay should be analyzed for nutrient contentto identify any deficiencies.A vitamin and mineral mix should be offered.Why buy a better quality hay (usually more$$$ and results in weight gain) if not needed?

Feeding HayExample 2: Working Horse – Moderate Exercise (3-5 hours/week)

Horse Weight: 1,000 lbsRequired Daily Feed Intake: 2% body weightTotal intake per day: 20 lbsPercentage of Hay in Daily Ration: 75%Percentage of Concentrate in Daily Ration: 25%Amount of Hay Required in Daily Ration: 15 lbsAmount of Concentrate Required in Daily Ration: 5 lb

Provided by Dr. Bridgett McIntosh, University of Tennessee

Feeding HayExample 2: Working Horse – Moderate Exercise

What hay type is best?

Feeding HayExample 2: Working Horse – Moderate Exercise

Grass hay alone may not be sufficient to meet the needs of working horses.Alfalfa hay is typically higherin digestible energy andnutrients and may be sufficientin meeting the needs ofworking horses.A good quality hay is needed.

Feeding HayExample 3: Growing Horses (12 months of age)

Horse Weight: 700 lbs – Average Daily Gain: 1 lbRequired Daily Feed Intake: 2% body weightTotal intake per day: 14 lbsPercentage of Hay in Daily Ration: 75%Percentage of Concentrate in Daily Ration: 25%Amount of Hay Required in Daily Ration: 10.5 lbsAmount of Concentrate Required in Daily Ration: 3.5 lb

Provided by Dr. Bridgett McIntosh, University of Tennessee

Feeding HayExample 3: Growing Horses (12 months of age)

What hay type is best?

Feeding HayExample 3: Growing Horses (12 months of age)

Good quality grass hay, or grass/alfalfa mixed hays can be used in feeding programs for young, growing horses.Young horses with increased nutrientrequirements will require an increasedpercentage of concentrates in their diet.Forage or hay should makeup at least50% of their daily ration.Must watch Ca:P ratio.

Feeding HayExample 3: Growing Horses (12 months of age)

Good quality grass hay, or grass/alfalfa mixed hays can be used in feeding programs for young, growing horses.Young horses with increased nutrientrequirements will require an increasedpercentage of concentrates in their diet.Forage or hay should makeup at least50% of their daily ration.Must watch Ca:P ratio.

Feeding Hay…RecapYou should know…• Know your hay (buying hay)!• Feed the right hay for your horse.• Feeding the right hay will save

$$$ and result in healthier horses.• Work with your hay supplier, an

equine nutritionist, and/or yourveterinarian.

Hay Testing• Determines nutritional value of hay.• Will help nutritionist balance ration for your horse.• Use hay probe (grab sample).• Probe 10-20 bales.• Take sub-sample.• Collect and bag, send to

forage lab.

Hay Testing• Requires Equine Analysis• Approximately $20 for each basic sample• Equi-analytical: 877-819-411*• For example, in Minnesota:– DHIA Labs: 800-369-2697*– Dairyland Labs: 320-240-1737*– Zumbrota Forage Labs: 507-732-4441**These labs are not endorsed by the University of Minnesota and may not be a

complete list of available labs in MN.

Reducing Feeding & Storage Waste

Reduce Feeding Waste

Know how much to feed(2% of body weight)Do not overfeed(waste of $$$).Use hay feeders.Remove uneaten hay.

Reducing Feeding & Storage Waste

Reducing Feeding Waste

Make sure the roof is water tight.Animal proof the area.Stack hay on pallets.Use older hay first.Tarp/cover bales shoredoutside.

Reducing Feeding & Storage Waste

Reducing Feeding Waste

University of Kentucky

Reducing Feeding & Storage Waste

Research conducted at Texas Tech evaluated waste associate with feeding round bales.The alfalfa round bales fed with feeder had a 9% loss, compared to a 31% loss without a feeder.The grass round bales fedwith a feeder had a 2%loss, compared to a 38%loss without a feeder.

Research UpdatePreliminary Data from the Univ of Minn

Three commercially available, equine round bale feeders were evaluated for hay waste.

Tombstone FeederCone FeederCurtain Feeder

Research UpdateTombstone Feeder Cone Feeder

Research UpdateCurtain Feeder

Research UpdatePreliminary Data from the Univ of Minn

Curtain Feeder – Use Caution

Research UpdatePreliminary Data from the Univ of Minn

Tombstone Feeder Waste = 15%Cone Feeder Waste = 8%Curtain Feeder Waste = 9%Additional round bale feeder research planned for 2010.

ConclusionsHow to optimize your hay supply…

Buy quality hayKnow what is in your hay

Feeding hayFeed the right type of hay for your horseIn some cases, only hay is needed

Hay testingDetermine the nutritional value of your hay

Reducing feeding and storage wasteFeed the correct amountUse feedersProper storage

Additional Informationwww.extension.umn.edu/horse

www.extension.org/horseswww.myhorseuniversity.com

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