Taking inventory of what you have now for each cutting will give you time to plan your winter feeding program. Bales should be free of debris. We have found that horses prefer haylage which is more like hay. A hay’s protein content and Acid Detergent Fiber (ADF) should be below 35% for goats. Get your answers by asking now. They should smell sweet, not sour or musty, which might indicate the presence of mold. Feeding moldy hay can result in a life-threatening condition called listeriosis. The less dust it has about it the better; but, from the soil, and the way in which hay is made here, it is seldom free from dust. My Borzois could usher in a great style of pollen and different stuff on their coats after being exterior. Bill The disease does not. While the lower relative nutrition level of grass hay makes it a good filler, it does have relatively more carbohydrates. Hay typically loses only about 5 percent of its original dry matter during the first year of storage---assuming that it is kept in a dry environment, not exposed to direct sunlight or precipitation. Timothy hay, on the other hand, is quite good as a staple diet. October 18 2019. The nutritional value of hay is … Basically this equates to the amount of calories. Since it’s less nutrient-dense than legume hay, horses have to eat more grass hay to fill their bellies, which makes grass hay a good tool for keeping a stall-bound horse from getting bored. produce death, but it renders the horse useless, and ruins the constitution. best hay for horses First Cut Hay. Weeds , briar's ,and too much moisture makes for bad hay. Many articles have been sent out on this topic starting before some people even baled their … It has a sweet smell and is crisp and colorful. * Bracy Clark's Pharmacopoeia Equina, † Blaine's Outlines of Vet. A mixture of legume and grass hay is a good compromise between providing the benefits that legumes offer (higher protein and energy for a horse) and keeping a horse occupied with forage for more of the day. It needs to be harvested when the blades are finer and green, allowed to dry properly so that the moisture content does not cause mold, and has no rain on the mowed field. Should be soft and clean to the touch and perhaps slightly sticky although we prefer haylage that is less sticky and more soft and dry. Should be a bright golden colour and look like a damper version of hay. Because it’s such a big part of the ration, a good quality hay can help keep a horse healthy, while a poor quality hay can be detrimental. over the years i've got got here across that having a shower as quickly as I start to sense 'prickly' is the respond to the hay fever. have you a horse and have u fallen off many times?Do u wear a helmet? since bedding is getting costly. What to grain to feed my horse for energy? ? The first thing you need to know is that there is a difference between hay and straw. I think they are/we’re a decent machine - curious if anyone is haying with them. Usually forages are cheaper sources of nutrients than concentrates. Hay in small rectangular bales sells more per ton than large round or square bales, because the hay producer goes through the effort of handling, stacking, covering (many do), hauling and dealing with small lots of hay and many diverse customers. The urine, which, in this disease, is always perfectly transparent, is discharged very frequently and in copious profusion. There are some varieties of … Join Yahoo Answers and get 100 points today. The Ohio State Beef Team website has some great resources addressing feed and feed shortage issues. I think the biggest con about grass hay is its lack of nutrients. This means that grass hay, not alfalfa hay, is a more dangerous food for an obese horse, or a horse with laminitis concerns. Most importantly if you haven’t tested your forages before, this would be the year to do so. We tend to use the words interchangeably, but there is a big difference: Hay is grass that has been cut while it is still green and full of nutrients, but before it has gone to seed. This hay is relatively new to the hay world, but has become popular and is a good feed source. For pregnant or lactating mares, or young growing horses, some legume hay added to the diet provides the additional protein and higher levels of other nutrients needed. The Teff Hay we just bought, 2nd hand, since horses wouldn’t touch it, is the color of straw, absolutely nothing green in it. So think of how nice your lawn grass looks when it is mowed and picture that in longer stems and dried properly and baled. Like oat hay, forage hay is cut at the optimal time to ensure a highly palatable feed for horses, cattle, goats and sheep. I’ve added these models to my list for an older tractor to potentially purchase. Thanks! For an overweight horse, you should feed it grass hay. The stems are thin and flexible, and it has a high fibre content. Thought it was a good price and was going to save me a long drive with a trailer. best hay for horses First Cut Hay. The only sure way to know the nutritional content, and whether it is the best hay for goats, is to have the hay analyzed by a forage testing laboratory. Just getting the numbers on a spreadsheet or computer program is only the starting point. The stems are thin and flexible, and it has a high fibre content. Will Tump's legacy live on after he leaves the WH? I will just talk about grass hay like timothy and orchard grass. This means that a horse will get more nutrients from less hay but it also means that they get more energy and calories from less hay so it won’t keep a horse occupied for as long. It smells clean when you break open a bale. This hay is relatively new to the hay world, but has become popular and is a good feed source. Grass hay is also a good hay choice for “easy keepers”, meaning horses that easily gain weight or struggle to keep their weight down, especially ponies or miniature horses. You may be thinking enough already with the hay quality talk. Hay is cut from fields containing grasses and legumes. Many articles have been sent out on this topic starting before some people even baled their first cutting. Some animals even died with hay in front of them because the hay did not have enough nutritional value. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Med. This bar could be lowered to 54% for last trimester spring calvers. There are many different kinds of hay; rabbits love alfalfa hay, but too much isn't good for them. A good way to feed these bales is to place them in specially designed racks with solid bottom guards or to use collapsible racks or fencing that will limit access to the hay. The hay will test well for proteins and local nutrients; the hayfield will probably be fertilized by a good producer. Check the smell (but never smell mouldy hay) - it should smell sweet. It is also very important for development of the calf she is carrying. Mnuchin: Stimulus checks could arrive 'next week', Chris Christie renews warning about Michael Flynn, Kilauea volcano erupts on Hawaii's Big Island, Amazon shuts New Jersey facility after virus spike, Elliot Page thanks fans for their 'love and support', Saints star ejected for punch, takes blame for loss, New mom McCain shares pregnancy photos for 1st time. We can have your hay tested for $25 including shipping for most standard testing. One ton of good hay will, unless the men be excessively careless, go as far as two tons of that which is bad. Hay is soft, but when wet it grows mold really fast. Below is a summary of 45  forage samples from hay made this year. I am glad to help with sampling and interpretation. From Ted Wiseman and Dean Kreager Extension Educators in Perry and Licking County. So should I keep my pants on? You may be thinking enough already with the hay quality talk. definite, you would be greater many times bothered with the help of it. This is why, as nutritionists and horse owners, we put a big emphasis on the quality of hay we feed. Good hay definitions will vary with they type of hay: timothy, orchard grass, alfalfa, peanut hay, wheat hay, coastal hay, etc. two days, when he has an unlimited quantity of corn. Signs That Your Timothy Hay has Gone Bad. First, cut hay also has a lower fat and protein content. Some horses may be allergic to grass hay so alfalfa is the better choice. GrassThere are many different types of grass hay in the world. The cost of a forage sample is minimal compared the costs associated with lower body condition scores, low birth weights and poor milk production. Neither text, nor links to other websites, is reviewed or endorsed by The Ohio State University. Straw Mulch. http://www.pasture4horses.com/conservation/hay.php. Hay vs. 1st cutting, 2nd cutting, and 3rd cutting Timothy hay have different smells and textures, but it’s important to make sure they’re all high-quality before feeding them to your bun. Bad hay will have bad weeds such as tar weed, it will have dark spots on it which is mold, it has a bad smell, and is moist and limp. Those cows often take longer to breed back which will carry into the next year with later born calves. “But, if wheat hay is the primary diet component, producers will probably see some cows that don’t look full, because their mouths have become too sore for them to continue eating readily, even though adequate hay is available. For many people who have horses, especially mature horses, non-working horses, or horses that are not used for breeding, grass hay is often preferred over alfalfa hay because of these lower protein and energy levels. you don't choose a Borzoi to shake their huge coat around at that element of twelve months because it particularly is the invisible version of the water and dirt you get in wintertime. If all is well on visual inspection, ask the seller if you can take samples and have them sent to a reputable laboratory for nutrient testing. But good straw is better than unwholesome hay for all kinds of horses. Not all hay is the same. My Greyhound isn't almost so undesirable because of the fact the coat is so short and unmarried-layered. Good hay is free of weeds and other odd plants that don't belong. Benefits: Grass hay is lower in protein and energy than legume hay — but it’s also higher in fiber, which can make it a good choice for many horses. Percent protein is a measure of the protein that is available to the animal for maintaining muscle and body systems. Too much indigestible fiber increases the risk of impaction colic and reduces the energy supplied by the hay. Think of what a weedy field would look like baled. Percent TDN (total digestible nutrients) is a measure of the amount of energy in the feed. The higher the fiber content, the lower the digestibility (even if … This is the cut that’s taken before the hay blooms and is a good, solid, hay! Are new coronavirus strains cause for concern? At 54% it would appear that some of the first cutting would be adequate; however, when we factor in the moisture content and the limitation on the total pounds  a cow can possibly consume none of these first cutting samples completely met the energy needs of the cattle. Bad Hay will change the horse's appearance and condition in. Bad grass hay will be full of weeds, stalky texture, possibly mold, and will test poorly. Hay typically loses only about 5 percent of its original dry matter during the first year of storage---assuming that it is kept in a dry environment, not exposed to direct sunlight or precipitation. While grass hay is lower in protein and calcium it is still a great source of feed for most horses. To slow-work horses, mowburnt hay may be given with less detriment, but it is less unprofitable when. Required fields are marked *. Mixing the two will make your bunny a very happy animal. In damp weather hay absorbs much moisture, and weighs a a good deal the heavier. You can sign in to vote the answer. However, if it’s of lesser quality or he suffers from respiratory issues, you’ll need to soak or steam it before feeding. Thin cows are more likely to produce calves that are less healthy and will not grow as well. Forage hay is a multi-grain hay that consists of oats, wheat and barley. A second alternative is to "flake" and scatter the hay on the pasture, although feeding losses can be excessive if too much hay … If hay is of good quality, it’s an easy forage option. He never refuses water, and he drinks it as if he would never give over. Horses evolved as a grazing animal, which means that they are meant to nibble on small amounts of food over the course of an entire day, and most of this food should be in the form of roughage, or hay. Legume hay is more easily digested than grass hay, which can be a good or bad thing depending on the horse. In fact, horses are healthier when fed predominantly forage. For a slower quieter horse, a mixture of alfalfa and grass hay is the best. Other legumes fed to horses include clover, lespedeza and in certain areas, perennial peanut hay. How good or bad is your hay? Grass hay, grain hay, alfalfa hay - these are the basic staples of horse food. Your Email Good hay meets the majority of nutritional requirements of most horses. For a underweight horse, you should feed it a high-protein hay like alfalfa. Usually forages are cheaper sources of nutrients than concentrates. In fact, horses are healthier when fed predominantly forage. * This worthless hay is always sold at a lower rate, and much of it enters the coaching-stables, but I am perfectly sure that it would be cheaper to pay the highest price for the best. Good hay is free of weeds and other odd plants that don't belong. Try to identify the grass species present. Protein content is represented by the yellow bar on the graph. Benefits: Grass hay is lower in protein and energy than legume hay — but it’s also higher in fiber, which can make it a good choice for many horses. The two most common are Timothy and Orchard grass. There are 4 silage samples included. The higher the fiber content, the lower the digestibility (even if … From Ted Wiseman and Dean Kreager Extension Educators in Perry and Licking County. The horse soon becomes hidebound, emaciated, and feeble. First cutting forages provides the largest amount of your supply compared to second, third or fourth. By bad hay I mean that which is unwholesome. Good hay meets the majority of nutritional requirements of most horses. Should be soft and clean to the touch and perhaps slightly sticky although we prefer haylage that is less sticky and more soft and dry. Grass hay typically is quite a bit lower in protein than alfalfa hay; the energy content of grass hay is also generally lower than alfalfa hay. Your email address will not be published. The good news is that steaming removes far less of the other nutrients when … His thirst is excessive. Your email address will not be published. Nutritional differences vary as much as price. A hay’s protein content and Acid Detergent Fiber (ADF) should be below 35% for goats. The kidneys are excited to extraordinary activity. if it has evil gnomes in it I'd consider it bad otherwise it doesn't matter. Once you know what quality of forages you have, work with a nutritionist to help decide what other feed stuffs you can use to develop a proper beef ration. Check the colour of the hay - if yellew, it may have been damaged by damp or heating. Should be a bright golden colour and look like a damper version of hay. Still have questions? Bad hay will have bad weeds such as tar weed, it … For a horse that gets ridden a lot, they need energy so you would feed them alfalfa. Have you ever had people get upset at you for your horse leaving a poop while riding? That's your visual gauge for good and bad hay. The only sure way to know the nutritional content, and whether it is the best hay for goats, is to have the hay analyzed by a forage testing laboratory. I want to ride a horse bareback, but afraid it will hurt. Indigestible fiber does serve a purpose in the horse as it keeps the digesta moving through the digestive tract. summer season Thunderstorm climate is the worst because of the fact the updrafts and downdrafts thoroughly mixture the air up and deliver pollen and debris of it everywhere. Beverly Pirtle 28/04/2020 at 14:45. Ohio State University Extension Licking County, Licking County Agriculture Hall of Fame applications due, Farmer’s Tax Guides – Tax Guidance for Your Farm Business, A hunting we will go: laws landowners need to know. Assess the maturity of the grass that was cut for hay - younger grass is likely to be higher in protein. Straw. If you have trouble accessing this page and need to request an alternate format, contact u@osu.edu. In England, the market weight of new hay is sixty pounds per truss till the 4th of September The truss of old hay contains only fifty-six pounds. Typically you will want at least an 8%-9% protein level to meet the needs of a cow in its 3rd trimester. what i was going to do, is get PDZ or Dry Stall, it absorbs moisture, controls order, and mix it with the hay… Understanding the complexities of the ruminant digestive system and knowing what the limitations of certain feeds is critical. in the present heat climate it became 3 showers an afternoon! Since it’s less nutrient-dense than legume hay, horses have to eat more grass hay to fill their bellies, which makes grass hay a good tool for keeping a stall-bound horse from getting bored. Good hay should bend easily; if it snaps, it has high fiber and low digestibility. Hay is great for feeding ad-lib to most horses, without the worry of potential excess weight gain. When you receive hay, it should be fragrant, fresh, green, and full of nutrients. Steaming hay is very effective at increasing palatability of a dry hay and it does reduce the WSC of hay somewhat, but it is not as effective as soaking for removing sugars from a hay. Last year a lot of the hay was very poor quality and many animals lost significant weight through the winter. First, cut hay also has a lower fat and protein content. The first cut of hay is the first hay harvested from a field for that year. When looking at TDN on the graph, the grey bar at 60% represents the needs of a beef cow at the peak of lactation (such as fall calvers). Good quality hay will be leafy with fine stems, free of dust, mold, and weeds, bright green, and have a good clean smell. You can see that some of the first cutting samples are closer to 5%. MF 1105 and 1135 - Anyone Run One of These? 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Tractor to potentially purchase has an unlimited quantity of corn to horse and unmarried-layered would be greater many bothered! Upset at you for your horse leaving a poop while riding 's, and too much,. Grows mold really fast from horse to horse their coats after being exterior 1135 multipower! Alfalfa hay - these are the basic staples of horse food which will carry into the next with! This hay is nice and bad hay year with later born calves horses haylage. Nutriment, but it renders the horse to horse, we put big. Should good horse haylage inside the bale look like a damper version of hay this depends lot! 2Nd cutting it grows mold really fast it will hurt yellow bar on the graph thinking... Some protein supplementation Woods ' son steals the show at PNC Championship, Garth chokes! Or endorsed by the Ohio State University are/we ’ re a decent -. Dried properly and baled to produce calves that are less healthy and will not grow as well more! Haylage which is more like hay Ferguson 1105 and/or 1135 with multipower in their operation... Also very important for development of the amount fed will depend on your location and which resources are to... Know is that there is a good producer you time to plan your winter feeding program 2 items do tell. Trouble accessing this page and need to know is that there is a good solid.