Feeding Horses the Year 2000 Hay

 

As we are all aware, this past summer 2000 was a difficult one for both farmers and horse people. Due to the continually inclement weather, we all had a difficult time getting out onto the fields, whether for training or for haying. Agriculture Canada had issued a prediction regarding the expected quality of the hay, and unfortunately were quite correct in their assessment. The hay sampled here in the Kingston and surrounding area has indeed fallen into the two expected categories.

 

The first category is hay that was brought in at early maturity and therefore had a lesser chance of curing well due to the very short bursts of dry weather. It has a reasonable nutritional value in terms of protein and fibre, but is dusty and may have a tendency to become moldy, putting horses at risk with regards to respiratory difficulties. The second category was brought in later and is more mature but had a higher probability of curing well. This hay is cleaner but has a lower protein and relatively high fibre content, placing horses at risk for impaction colic.

 

Neither case bodes well for our horses. Both cases require the same solution. It is recommended that the dusty hay be well watered. In order to reduce the risk of colic horses must drink large amounts of water. Again, it is recommended that the hay itself be watered to ensure that horses with a tendency to drink less be well hydrated. Another option is to feed loose salt in the grain mix at a rate of 1 to 2 oz per day in order to force the horse to drink more water.

 

Results have also been obtained directly from the testing labs for the entire Ontario region. The graphs on the following pages compare the first and second cut hay from 1999 to that from 2000. The variance graph depicts the variation of results obtained throughout Ontario.

 

In summary, this years first cut hay has decreased protein, is very coarse with a high fibre content and decreased fibre digestibility and an overall decreased energy, whereas the second cut looks very much like a rich first cut.

 

Those of you who have had your hay sampled will be well aware into which of the above fibre categories your hay belongs. We would encourage everyone to have their hay tested in order to be aware of the fibre levels of their hay. Furthermore, some samples with a very clean and sweet smelling appearance have been tested for molds and have returned with a much higher than expected value.

 

Here in the Kingston area the majority of horse owners are feeding a late first cut. The horses will tend to develop hay bellies from the high fibre while at the same time appearing to suffer a weight loss. Aside from watering the hay and feeding loose salt you may have to consider not only feeding more grain or alternative fibre sources, but also rebalancing your ration to accommodate your hay.

 

Kingston Feed & Farm would be pleased to perform such a service with the addition of several computer programs that can balance your grain ration of choice. We are also carrying additional lines of both feeds and supplements in order to expand the choices available to you, the horse owner. Kingston Feed & Farm is now a KER dealer with a full line of products.

 

Kasia Miedzinska, PhD

Certified Equine Nutritionist