Tag: weight of hay

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Buying Hay, What Questions Should You be Asking?

hayOur friends at the University of Minnesota Extension have created a great guide to questions you should be asking when buying hay. Equine expert Krishona Martinson, PhD, offers some helpful suggestions below:

Q: What questions should I ask when buying horse hay?
A: Here are some questions horse owners should ask when purchasing hay:

  1. Have you sold to horse owners before or do you specialize in horse hay?
  2. What is the average weight of the bales? This is very important if buying hay by the bale.
  3. How mature is the hay? Maturity is the main driver of forage quality.
  4. What species are present in the hay? Legumes and grasses have different nutrient values.
  5. Where was the hay harvested? Rule out ditch hay.
  6. Was the hay rained on? Rained on hay is a good choice for horses with metabolic problems; it tends to be lower in nonstructural carbohydrates.
  7. Was the hay stored inside or under cover after baling? Hay stored inside or under cover has less storage loss.
  8. Was the hay field fertilized and/or sprayed for weeds? Show good management and likely a better quality product.
  9. What are the payment options?
  10. Is delivery available and if so, what is the cost?
  11. What is the price? Is there a price break for volume or cash?
  12. Is assistance available with onsite handling and stacking of hay, and if so, at what cost?
  13. How much hay do you have/bale each year? Helps ensure a consistent supply of hay.

This article is reprinted with permission from Krishona Martinson, University of Minnesota. This and other horse nutrition articles can be found at http://www.extension.umn.edu/agriculture/horse/nutrition/.

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The Importance of Hay Quality for Your Horse’s Weight

hay, representing the concept of the different qualities of hay and their impact on a horse's weight managementThe quality of hay plays a crucial role in maintaining your horse’s weight and overall health. Today, we share a real-life scenario from one of our owners who’s horse faced weight loss challenges despite providing high-quality hay. By understanding the significance of hay quality and implementing proper measurement techniques, you can make informed decisions about your horse’s diet and ensure they receive the necessary calories for optimal weight management.

Assessing the Feeding Program:

A concerned horse owner sought assistance when their horse began losing weight despite being recommended alfalfa hay to address ulcer issues. With exceptional quality hay containing 1,000 calories per pound, the owner couldn’t determine the cause of weight loss in the horse’s feeding program.

Calculating the Diet:

Analyzing the horse’s work schedule and body condition score, we calculated a daily diet requirement of 21.5 Mcal. The diet consisted of four flakes of timothy hay and four pounds of grain per day. To meet the 2% body weight requirement for forage, we aimed for 20 pounds of hay, while the old hay tested at 800 calories per pound. The grain contributed 1.43 Mcal with a calorie content of 1,430 calories per pound.

Forage = 16 Mcal
Grain = 5.7 Mcal
Total = 21.7 Mcal

Identifying the Issue:

Despite feeding the same amount of hay, the owner believed there was a problem with the grain since the hay was of exceptional quality. However, we discovered that each flake of the old hay weighed around 5 pounds, which allowed us to reach the 20-pound feed rate with four flakes. When we weighed several flakes of the new hay, they averaged 3 pounds per flake.

Finding the Solution:

The problem became evident when we did the math. Each flake of timothy hay provided 5 pounds, resulting in a total of 16 Mcal (16,000 calories) per day. However, the new alfalfa hay, weighing 3 pounds per flake, only provided 12 Mcal (12,000 calories) per day. With this simple change, the horse’s caloric intake had been reduced by 4,000 calories daily over the past month. Increasing the number of hay flakes in the daily ration promptly resolved the issue.

The quality and measurement of hay significantly impact your horse’s weight management. This real-life example demonstrates the importance of accurately measuring hay portions and understanding its calorie content. By selecting the appropriate hay and ensuring your horse receives the necessary calories, you can effectively manage their weight and maintain their overall health.

At Nutrena, we believe proper nutrition plays the biggest role for a lifetime of health and happiness for every horse. That’s why Nutrena horse feeds are specifically formulated for every life stage and activity level. 
 
Ready to ensure your horse is getting the optimum nutrition at feeding time, every time? Find the perfect feed formulated specifically for horse’s needs with our Feed Selector Tool.
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