High quality horse hay is an important source of nutrients in your horse’s diet. Your horse will eat 2 to 2.5% of its body weight a day and for optimum health, nutritionists recommend that at least half of this should be roughage such as hay. For a 1000-pound horse, that means at least 10 pounds of roughage each day.
Here are some tips on choosing the best hay for your horse:
Buy clean hay. Dust and pollen can cause inflame the respiratory tract. Moldy hay contains mycotoxins, compounds that may cause colic.
When selecting hay bales, ask if you can open and look inside one or two bales. Yes, this is kind of pushy, but it's important. Once they're open, examine the hay for signs of insect infestation or disease. Don't worry if the outside of the bales are discolored, but the bales should be free from dirt, trash and debris.
If you're buying alfalfa hay, be especially careful to look for signs of blister beetles. Blister beetles contain a poison, cantharidin, that is as toxic as cyanide or strychnine. Horses are especially sensitive to cantharidin, and even a small amount can cause colic.
The hay should smell fresh, not fermented.
Its texture should be fine and the stems should be as green, soft and leafy as possible.
If bales seem very heavy or warm, reject them. Overly heavy bales may be water saturated and that could cause mold or dangerous hay fires.
Use your hay within one year of harvest. Store it in dry, sheltered area out of rain, snow or sun.
If you're buying hay in quantity, consider having it tested by a certified forage laboratory to determine its actual nutrient content.
Your horse's nutritional needs are affected by age, activity and overall health. Consult your veterinarian or a qualified equine nutritionist when formulating your horse’s ration. Together, you put together a balanced diet that is safe, nutritious and cost-effective.