Best Hay To Feed Your Horse. If you own a horse, you’ve probably discovered that when you ask different people what is the best hay to feed your horse, you never get a simple, standard reply. There are so many various opinions that people have about what to feed their horse, when their horse should be fed, how much they need and how different types of feed can affect their horse’s behavior and performance. You may have already tried to do some research on the best hay to feed your horse and most likely the more you’ve read, the more confused you become! One thing we do know is that every horse has different nutritional requirements, since the age of the horse, the activity level, breed and size all play important roles in deciding which hay best suites your horse’s needs. ![]() Some horses may require higher protein and more energy, while others may need hay that is lower in protein and is not as rich. For example, a retired senior horse that is turned out in pasture is not going to have the same nutritional requirements as a high- level performance horse during show season. So here is a consolidated overview of some of the differences between hays to help you decide which is the best hay to feed your horse. ![]() Nervous Horse? Alfalfa hay, sometimes called lucerne hay, is the most popular legume hay fed to horses in the U. S., while timothy and orchard are popular grass hay choices. Hay Diet Charts PrintableThere are cereal grain hays too, such as oat or barley hay, which are different nutritionally than typical grass hays, but they also fall under the grass hay category. Of course, when trying to select the best hay to feed your horse, geography will play a big part in your selection. For example, alfalfa, timothy and orchard grass hays are popular in Kentucky, while coastal Bermuda grass hay is popular in Southern U. S. Here’s a chart that shows some of the common hays that are fed to horses. The nutritional profiles of different types of hay can vary considerably, especially when measuring fiber, protein content, digestible energy and mineral composition. To get started, here are some common terms used when evaluating hay: Moisture: Ideally hay moisture should range between 1. Hay that is under 1. Hay that is over 1. Crude Protein (CP): Protein levels in hay can vary widely, depending on the type of hay and when it was harvested. The younger the hay is when it was cut, the higher the protein level will be. Protein levels can range from 8% to 1. In general, a growing horse needs between 1. Horses that are in training are going to need more protein to support increased muscle development and replace nitrogen that is lost during exercise. Digestible Energy (DE): Digestible Energy (DE) is measured in megacalories (Mcal) and most hays typically range from 0. Mcal/lb of DE. Daily DE requirements for an average size horse can range anywhere from 2. Mcals/lb (minimal maintenance) to 3. Critical Care® is a premium recovery food which can be given to herbivores that are unwilling to eat their normal diet due to illness, surgery or poor nutritional. Diet.com provides diet, nutrition and fitness solutions. Meet your weight loss goals today! All about original Mediterranean Diet and its benefits for health. Dietary patterns and habits of life of Mediterranean countries. Vegetable Steaming Times (Chart) If you're always short of time when it comes to cooking a dinner, consider steaming food. Steaming is an easy and relatively quick. ![]() Mcals/lb (horses in heavy training). Non- Structural Carbohydrates (NSC): This term is used to describe the sugar and starch content in hay. NSC’s are important, since these are the carbohydrates that are broken down and absorbed into the blood stream as glucose. Hay Diet Charts For Losing![]() Horses that are insulin resistant are typically put on low NSC “low- carb” diets. Calcium (Ca) and Phosphorus (P): The balanced ratio between these two minerals, which varies among different types of hay, is very important because the two work closely together. Ideally, the calcium to phosphorus ratio in horses should be between 3: 1 to 1: 1. In other words, a horse needs at least as much calcium in his diet as phosphorus, never the reverse. Does your horse need Joint Support? At first glance, choosing a brand of pellets can be a little overwhelming. Pet shops stock their shelves with foods that promise to be "gourmet", "premium. Free Astrology and Horoscopes from Astrodienst! Get your free horoscope - and much more! Astrodienst provides the world's best astrology site for free horoscopes. Your free comprehensive online resource on abdominal pain. You will be able to find the causes, diagnosis and treatment of common causes of "stomach pains". Gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) is one of the most common disorders of the digestive tract. The two most typical symptoms are heartburn and regurgitation of. This site is dedicated to providing exchange of ideas and information to create a better understanding of the care and breeding of the Russian Tortoise. So now that you know some of the basic terms used, here are some differences between alfalfa hay and grass hay that can help you decide which is the best hay to feed your horse. ALFALFA HAY Higher Protein Content. One of the biggest differences between alfalfa hay and grass hay is the protein content. On average, alfalfa hay has much higher levels of protein, ranging from 1. This is much higher than the protein levels of grass hay, which typically contains 1. While most adult horses need somewhere around 1. If a horse is fed hay that contains more protein than they can utilize, the excess will be broken down and the waste will be eliminated in the urine as urea, which is then converted to ammonia. For horses kept in stalls, this could be a problem if the stalls are not properly cleaned and well ventilated. Higher Energy Content / Lower In Fiber. The energy content is also different between alfalfa and grass hays. Alfalfa hay typically has more calories per pound than grass hay, so if you are feeding your horse alfalfa hay, he may need to consume less hay to maintain his body weight. This difference is related to the fiber content of the hay; alfalfa hay is lower in fiber, while grass hay is higher in fiber which allows the horse to eat more hay without putting on extra weight. For this reason, many people who want to reduce the calorie intake of their horse will feed grass hay instead of feeding alfalfa hay. Higher Calcium Levels. Another major difference between alfalfa and grass hay is the mineral profile. Alfalfa hay typically has higher levels of calcium when compared to the amount of calcium in grass hay. The phosphorus content, however, usually is not that different between the two hays. And, of course, the mineral content in all hays will vary depending on the region in which it was grown as well as the soil conditions. Alfalfa hay is very popular since it is readily available and is reasonably priced; it is the only forage that is sold in every state in the U. S. Not only is alfalfa easy to find, but horses also love the taste and almost always prefer the taste of alfalfa over grass hay. This is especially helpful for hard keepers since the sweet smell and green, leafy look of alfalfa hay is hard to resist. Horses that have Equine Metabolic Syndrome (insulin resistance) and are prone to laminitis may be sensitive to alfalfa, most likely because alfalfa has more sugar and is higher in starch than most grass hays. So if your horse is insulin resistant and you are considering feeding him alfalfa hay, it would be best to discuss this option first with your vet. Alfalfa hay analysis will vary depending on the time of year the alfalfa hay was harvested, the soil conditions in which it was grown, etc., but an average alfalfa hay analysis will be around this range: Alfalfa Hay Analysis (average)Crude Protein – 1. Crude Fiber – 2. 5. Non Structural Carb (NSC) – 8. DE, Mcal/Lb. Grass hay has: Lower Protein Levels. Lower Energy Content. Higher Fiber. Lower Calcium Levels. 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. 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. Grass hay is also quite often a good choice for senior horses, as it’s easier on the kidneys due to its lower protein content and is also easier to chew and digest. 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. Because of the high fiber content, grass hay is a convenient solution for these easy keepers since it can satisfy the horse’s appetite, without adding extra calories and protein. Grass hay typically has lower nutritional values than alfalfa hay, and is also lower in calcium, making it closer to a more desirable Ca: P ratio (between 3: 1 to 1: 1). Also, grass hay is often less dusty than alfalfa hay, so it a good choice for horses that have respiratory issues. And unlike alfalfa hay, grass hay is not subjected to the potential risk of blister beetles. Here is quick look at some of the more popular grass hays and their typical profiles: Timothy Hay. Timothy hay is high in fiber and generally is easy to digest. It tends to be more expensive than the other grass hays, but it is also higher in nutrients than other grass hays. Timothy Hay Analysis (average)Crude Protein – 6. Crude Fiber – 3. 0%NSC – average of 1. DE, Mcal/Lb. There are some concerns that lower quality bermuda grass hay may cause impaction in horses (discuss this with your vet). Bermuda Grass Hay Analysis (average)Crude Protein – 7. Crude Fiber – 2. 8%NSC – average of 1. DE, Mcal/Lb. Oat hay tends to be higher in nitrates and also high in sugar (NSC), so this hay is not an option for insulin resistant horses. Oat Hay Analysis (average)Crude Protein – 8. Crude Fiber – 2. 8%NSC – average of 2. DE, Mcal/Lb – 0. 8. Calcium – 0. 2. 9%Phosphorus – 0. Ca: P Ratio – 1. 3: 1. Here’s a comparison chart so you can see the differences between alfalfa hay, timothy (grass) hay and oat hay. As you can see, alfalfa hay has much higher protein levels than the other two hays, but is also lower in fiber than the other two. Oat hay, however, has much higher levels of non- structural carbohydrates (NSC) which are the levels of sugar and starch in the hay. The chart below shows the average calcium levels, phosphorus levels, and calcium to phosphorus (Ca: P) ratio. Alfalfa hay, as illustrated in the chart, typically has much higher calcium levels than the other hays. These are just some of the different types of hay typically fed to horses, along with some of their differences, that hopefully will help you in deciding which is the best hay to feed your horse. If you’d like to learn more about different hays and their typical nutritional profiles, a comprehensive resource to visit is Equi- Analytial. And of course, make sure you speak with your equine veterinarian about which hay would be best for your horse based on his own individual nutrient requirements. Thank God you created it!”Dr. Sue Horton. Chicago Exotics Animal Hospital - Skokie, IL“(Critical Care) smells so good I want to eat it. We mix it with a little water and apple juice and some anorectic pets eat it out of a bowl.”Sharon Hollars, DVMSummertree Animal & Bird Clinic – Dallas, TX“The use of Critical Care has reduced the mortality rate among critically ill rabbit and guinea pig patients by at least 4. I would not practice rabbit or guinea pig medicine without this product on my shelf.”Dr. Gregory Rich. West Esplanade Animal Hospital - New Orleans, LA“These products have been a Godsend for exotic medicine. 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