The wild life blog

If you are looking to set up a feeding program for your horse or horses there are a lot of choices available to you. There are so many choices that the decision can be overwhelming. Of course any good program is going to begin with hay. Horses are grazing animals, and their digestive systems are meant to process the roughage found in hay.

For years horsemen have used alfalfa hay which has its pros and cons. Aside from the expense and its limited availability, the hay itself is so rich in nutrients and so fine, it can actually cause health and even behavior problems for a horse. However using alfalfa hay in small amounts can be beneficial.

A good place to start is with a grass-based hay. Orchard grass, Timothy grass, Alicia, or Russell hays are all good choices. Horses generally seem to prefer the softer wide blades of the Orchard grass hays. Keep in mind that Timothy tends to contain more heavy stalks if baled late.

Alicia and Russell hay, grown primarily in the south east, are good forage choices as well. Alicia hay is a finer grass, that tolerates heat and drought quite well. Russell hay is a bit thicker, with an overall higher protein content. Coastal Bermuda hay is also an excellent choice for a nice grass type base to your feeding program.

Finding a quality hay producer can be tough. Talk with the farmer some, and inspect the hay first. No matter what type of hay you are buying, it needs to have good green color, a fresh smell, no dust, and absolutely no mold. Buying sub-quality forage will only mean you spend more in the long run- either on additional feed supplements or on vet bills.

Have your local agriculture extension agency test the hay first. This knowledge can help you make the best decision possible.

Several things you should also take into account when setting up a program are age, activity level and breeding of the horse. Different breeds may require different dietary supplements.

Feeding a horse for optimum health is not really rocket science. Find good quality hay, and let your horse eat as much as they choose. Supplement as needed, and balance the nutrients to the hay. Provide a mineral block, fresh clean water at all times, and exercise, and the chances are you’ll have a very healthy horse for a long time!

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