Meadow Hay For Horses | Slide Mouse

In general the protein in lucerne alfalfa is in excess of the requirement of the horse and grass hay or oaten chaff may be just right or too low to meet the requirement.

Meadow hay for horses. Hay must be dried in the field after cutting to avoid mold growth. Our high altitude grown grass hay is a high quality mix of premium horizon variety timothy hay with some meadow foxtail hay and native meadow high altitude grasses and clovers which is an excellent blend for pleasure ranch and rodeo horses and especially for prize race horses. This class of carbohydrates includes starch water soluble sugar and fructan. Hay is essential for horses living in boxes.

Meadow hay or grass hay can average between 6 10 protein based on dry matter weight. Horses fed quality meadow hay do not eat straw thereby avoiding digestive problems such as straw impaction in the gut. 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. Lucerne may have anywhere from 16 to 20 protein while grass may only have 4 to 12 protein depending on the quality of the hay.

Kentucky bluegrass orchardgrass and timothy are all examples of common grasses used for hay. Meadow hay is a more generic hay. Lucerne is an excellent option due to high protein levels for foals mares with foals at foot and growing horses. It consists of a variety of grasses and quite often bits of other plants as well not to mention sometimes sticks stones and other random debris.

Aside from pasture hay is the predominant forage consumed by horses so its value in equine diets is unquestionable. Horses challenged by metabolic syndrome should be offered hays that are low in non structural carbohydrates or nsc. Normal horses can tolerate nsc levels of 20 or higher. Hay should be reduced or completely removed for horses living in fields depending on the quality season and amount of grass available.

Hay moisture meters can be purchased to give you an accurate measurement. Each meadow bale of hay weighs a measured 20kg is compressed to a small easily handled size and costs 6 99 with a total pallet price of 209 70 plus shipping to an area within the uk listed in the delivery tab above. During certain times of year hay may be the only forage available to horses and therefore the selection of well preserved hay harvested at the appropriate stage of maturity is critical. This meadow hay for horses is delivered on a 30 bale meadow hay pallet anywhere in the uk monday to friday working hours only.

For small square bales a moisture content of around 20 percent or less is fine but for large square and round bales the moisture content will need to be lower as little as 15 percent. Grass hay for horses.