Home is where the hay is...

From Jim: Horses eat hay. That is not a news flash, but a very important fact. A good quality of grass or grain hay, properly baled is the foundation for the nutritional needs of equines. The hay should be free of weeds, refuse, or any mold or mildew. Hay that is acceptable for cattle is not necessarily OK for horses. The digestive system of ruminants is very different from the equine gut. There are mixed feeling regarding alfalfa as a base food for horses. Alfalfa is a legume that was intended as cattle feed. There's strong evidence the the constant feeding to horses, Arabians in particular, can cause the formation of gut stones or enteriths. This often results in a blockage which requires surgery and can cause death. There is also the potential for behavioral issues, as alfalfa is considered to be a "hot" feed. As a supplement, alfalfa can help a "hard keeper" gain or maintain weight and may useful for horses that are engaged in hard work or training. Still, the wise horse person will bear in mind the suspected risks. Hay is not forever. Two years seems to be the upper limit for properly stored hay. We believe in checking the quality and condition of our hay at every feeding. Our grower Lyle is the best, but every now and then the baler will pick up something not OK, or a bale will draw up ground moisture, or rodents or ants will have spoiled part of a bale. Horses are a demanding and specialized pet. Meeting their nutritional needs is critical to having the best experience with them. Because hay prices can fluctuate a lot, prices don't always guarantee quality. A feeding error can be catastrophic. Never settle for inferior hay. If necessary use a sack replacement pelleted or cubed feed or shredded beet pulp. The exact amount to feed, hay or replacement, is quite variable. Doesn't hurt at all to check with the vet if the animal is not flourishing or if you're in doubt. We try to feel enough that there is hay left on the ground after the initial binge of eating. Gives them something to do besides break the fences or get into trouble and reassures us that their bellies are full. Bon Appetite!