“Mold occurs as a result of the hay being baled when too moist, causing it to ferment while in storage. This generates heat, which can damage sensitive nutrients and cause discoloration. In some extreme cases, overly moist bales have been known to self-combust, so for this reason hay purchased off the fi eld should be stored very carefully.”
mature harvests are likely bet er suited for horses in lit le or no work and easy keepers. Fes- cue hays should be avoided for broodmares unless it can be proven to be free of endophyte fungus, as this toxin can cause serious foaling problems. Sudan (Johnson) hay should be avoided, as depending upon growing and handling conditions, this hay can contain toxic levels of prussic acid. Owners are oſt en concerned about Bermuda hay and whether it increases the risk of
impaction colic. Research investigating the incidence of ileal impaction that required surgery versus colic that could be resolved medically found that ileal impactions were six times more likely if the horse had been fed coastal Bermuda hay. Further investigations have suggested that the issue may lay in coastal Bermuda hay’s very fi ne stems that may act like hairs blocking a drain. A newer cultivar, Tiſt on 85, has thicker stems and is about 10% more digestible than coastal Bermuda and is well accepted by many horses.
Grain Hays Hays such as oat hay, three-way and rye tend to have higher levels of non-structural
carbohydrates (NSC), making them unsuitable for horses with metabolic issues and easy keepers. For performance horses, grain hays should be harvested in the immature “dough” stage where seed heads are soſt and leaves and stems are still green. Some people dislike grain hays as they feel that they encourage rodents.
Grass Legume Mixes Alfalfa-orchard mixes have become popular and have their pros and cons. Where mul-
tiple people feed, mixed hays ensure fewer mistakes at feed time. T ese mixes are oſt en very palatable and help reduce fertilizer usage so cost may be lower. However, the two hay
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