FEEDING BIG BALES When feeding multiple horses in a pasture set ing, big round or
square bales are an at ractive option as they greatly reduce labor and ensure horses will have access to forage 24/7. However, waste can be high and bales need to be fed under cover, raised off the ground and the entire bale should be fully consumed in a couple of days. Hay standing out open to the elements that is not consumed quickly is at risk of mold, and horses are at risk of contracting botulism, which can be fatal. If feeding hay in large bales discuss with your vet precautions you can take to reduce the risk of botulism.
TYPES OF HAY AND PELLETS Hay comes in many forms, and each form of hay can also be turned into
pellets or cubes. Here is a quick overview of the three main types of hay:
Alfalfa T e most common type of legume fed to horses is alfalfa; other
legumes include clover, trefoil and recently perennial peanut (not to be confused with annual peanut hay, which is dusty and contains lit le nutritional value). High in protein with a higher proportion of lysine (an essential amino acid) than grass hays, alfalfa is oſt en recommended for performance horses, broodmares and youngstock. However, due to the very high calcium-to-phosphorous ratio in legumes, especially those grown in western states, intake should generally be limited to no more than 25-30% of forage in the diet. Alfalfa’s high calcium content may have a benefi cial buff ering action in the stomach, helping to lower the risk of gastric ulcers, which may
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be of particular benefi t to performance horses. However, the excess nitrogen from the high protein has to be excreted in urine, which leads to increased water intake, larger amounts of wasted bedding and higher ammonia levels in stalls. T is may have negative eff ects on respiratory health in sensitive horses. Legumes provide more calories pound for pound than grass hay,
making them undesirable for easy keepers. Conversely, this can make it very useful for hard keepers. T ere is an increased risk of some breeds, in particular Arabians, developing enteroliths (intestinal stones) when fed high levels of alfalfa. Even though blister beetles are rare in alfalfa grown in some states, it is always wise to check bales for this insect, ingestion of which can be fatal even when fed in very small amounts. Beetles are more active in the mid- to late-summer months so fi rst cut- tings are considered safer.
Grass Hays Grass hay has fewer calories per pound than alfalfa, allowing for a
greater total intake of forage. T is has both behavioral and gastroin- testinal benefi ts. Grass hays can be either cold or warm season variet- ies. T e most common cool season varieties are orchard, timothy and fescue, with various types of Bermuda hays being the most common warm season grasses. Teff , another warm season variety, is becoming more common in some parts of the country and is popular for easy keepers, although it may be less ideal for working horses due to its low protein content. High quality, cool season varieties (generally 2nd
cut ing with high
leaf to stem ratio) can work very well as the sole forage for performance horses, broodmares and youngstock; however, fi rst cut ings and more
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