1. My Horse University and eXtension’sHorseQuestwelcome you to this live Webcast. Optimizing YourHay Supply Krishona Martinson, PhD Equine Extension Specialist University of Minnesota
2. Meet our presenter: Questions facilitated by: Dr. Bridgett McIntosh Equine Extension Specialist University of Tennessee Krishona Martinson Equine Extension Specialist University of Minnesota
3. Outline Buy quality hay Feeding examples Hay testing Reducing feedingand storage waste Research Update
4. Forage is the Foundation Horses are non-ruminant herbivores designed to utilize forages as the primary component of their diet. Horses required 2 to 3% of their body weight in feed each day. At least half of their daily feed intake should be in the form of roughage.
5. When Buying Hay… Look for: What’s in the hay (species) How mature is the hay Touch Smell Color Presence of mold and weeds
6. Buy Quality Hay Content/Species Percent of grass and legumes in the hay. Legumes have a higher protein content than grasses. Fiber from grasses is more digestible than that of alfalfa at the same stage of maturity.
10. Buy Quality Hay Maturity Plants have more fiber and less protein as they mature. Indicators of maturity are flowers for legumes, and seed heads for grasses. Leaves have more protein and digestible energy and less fiber than stems.
11. Maturity Mature hay? Young hay? Note: This is still very good hay forcertain groups of horses.
13. Buy Quality Hay Touch A horse’s mouth, lips and tongue are very sensitive. Softer hay will usually be consumed more readily. If the hay feels rough to you, it will feel rough to your horse.
14. Buy Quality Hay Smell A sweet smell is attractive to horses. A sweet smell is usuallya good indication ofhaving readily availableenergy.
15. Buy Quality Hay Color Do not get hung up on color! Green is very appealing and a good indicator of quality. Bleached color indicates exposure to sunlight or rain. Bleached hay can still contain many other essential nutrients and can be fed to horses. If in doubt, have the hay tested.
17. Color Don’t let a bleachedappearance scare you off…Investigate!
18. Buy Quality Hay You Should Know the Moisture Hay baled between 10 and 17% moisture is optimum. Hay reserved for long term storage should be less than 17% moisture. Hay over 18% poses the threat of molding. Hay baled above 25% poses the threat of severe heat damage and serves as a potential fire hazard. Pennsylvania State Extension
19. Hay Characteristics Mold is a direct result of hay baled too wet (or storage issues) Mold is detrimental if the horse inhales it, and has the potential to be toxic and/or upset the digestive system. If they hay has been stored inside and is not moldy, then the risk of it getting mold is very low. Do not buy hay that is moldy, as it will only get worse.
22. Hay Characteristics How do you determine moisture? Hay analysis Trusting relationship with hay supplier Buy hay that has been stored (2-4 weeks) Investigate bales – bales should neverbe hot to the touch.
23. When Buying Hay…Recap You should know… What’s in the hay (species) How mature is the hay Touch Smell Color (bleached color OK) Presence of mold and weeds
24. Feeding Hay Feed the right hay for your horse. Feeding too good of hay canresult in weight gain andexcessive spending ($$$) Feeding too poor of hay canresult in weight loss and otherhealth problems.
25. Feeding Hay Example 1: Adult Idle Horse Horse Weight: 1,000 lbs Required Daily Feed Intake: 2% body weight Total intake per day: 20 lbs Percentage of Hay in Daily Ration: 100% Percentage of Concentrate in Daily Ration: 0% Amount of Hay Required in Daily Ration: 20 lbs Amount of Concentrate Required in Daily Ration: 0 lb Provided by Dr. Bridgett McIntosh, University of Tennessee
27. Feeding Hay Example 1: Adult Idle Horse The nutrient requirements of adult idlehorses can be met by good quality grass hayalone. Hay should be analyzed for nutrient contentto identify any deficiencies. A vitamin and mineral mix should be offered. Why buy a better quality hay (usually more$$$ and results in weight gain) if not needed?
28. Feeding Hay Example 2: Working Horse – Moderate Exercise (3-5 hours/week) Horse Weight: 1,000 lbs Required Daily Feed Intake: 2% body weight Total intake per day: 20 lbs Percentage of Hay in Daily Ration: 75% Percentage of Concentrate in Daily Ration: 25% Amount of Hay Required in Daily Ration: 15 lbs Amount of Concentrate Required in Daily Ration: 5 lb Provided by Dr. Bridgett McIntosh, University of Tennessee
29. Feeding Hay Example 2: Working Horse – Moderate ExerciseWhat hay type is best?
30. Feeding Hay Example 2: Working Horse – Moderate Exercise Grass hay alone may not be sufficient to meet the needs of working horses. Alfalfa hay is typically higherin digestible energy andnutrients and may be sufficientin meeting the needs ofworking horses. A good quality hay is needed.
31. Feeding Hay Example 3: Growing Horses (12 months of age) Horse Weight: 700 lbs – Average Daily Gain: 1 lb Required Daily Feed Intake: 2% body weight Total intake per day: 14 lbs Percentage of Hay in Daily Ration: 75% Percentage of Concentrate in Daily Ration: 25% Amount of Hay Required in Daily Ration: 10.5 lbs Amount of Concentrate Required in Daily Ration: 3.5 lb Provided by Dr. Bridgett McIntosh, University of Tennessee
32. Feeding Hay Example 3: Growing Horses (12 months of age) What hay type is best?
33. Feeding Hay Example 3: Growing Horses (12 months of age) Good quality grass hay, or grass/alfalfa mixed hays can be used in feeding programs for young, growing horses. Young horses with increased nutrientrequirements will require an increasedpercentage of concentrates in their diet. Forage or hay should makeup at least50% of their daily ration. Must watch Ca:P ratio.
34. Feeding Hay Example 3: Growing Horses (12 months of age) Good quality grass hay, or grass/alfalfa mixed hays can be used in feeding programs for young, growing horses. Young horses with increased nutrientrequirements will require an increasedpercentage of concentrates in their diet. Forage or hay should makeup at least50% of their daily ration. Must watch Ca:P ratio.
35. Feeding Hay…Recap You should know… Know your hay (buying hay)! Feed the right hay for your horse. Feeding the right hay will save$$$ and result in healthier horses. Work with your hay supplier, anequine nutritionist, and/or yourveterinarian.
36. Hay Testing Determines nutritional value of hay. Will help nutritionist balance ration for your horse. Use hay probe (grab sample). Probe 10-20 bales. Take sub-sample. Collect and bag, send toforage lab.
37. Hay Testing Requires Equine Analysis Approximately $20 for each basic sample Equi-analytical: 877-819-411* For example, in Minnesota: DHIA Labs: 800-369-2697* Dairyland Labs: 320-240-1737* Zumbrota Forage Labs: 507-732-4441* *These labs are not endorsed by the University of Minnesota and may not be a complete list of available labs in MN.
38. Reducing Feeding & Storage Waste Reduce Feeding Waste Know how much to feed(2% of body weight) Do not overfeed(waste of $$$). Use hay feeders. Remove uneaten hay.
39. Reducing Feeding & Storage Waste Reducing Feeding Waste Make sure the roof is water tight. Animal proof the area. Stack hay on pallets. Use older hay first. Tarp/cover bales shoredoutside.
40. Reducing Feeding & Storage Waste Reducing Feeding Waste University of Kentucky
41. Reducing Feeding & Storage Waste Research conducted at Texas Tech evaluated waste associate with feeding round bales. The alfalfa round bales fed with feeder had a 9% loss, compared to a 31% loss without a feeder. The grass round bales fedwith a feeder had a 2%loss, compared to a 38%loss without a feeder.
42. Research Update Preliminary Data from the Univ of Minn Three commercially available, equine round bale feeders were evaluated for hay waste. Tombstone Feeder Cone Feeder Curtain Feeder
46. Research Update Preliminary Data from the Univ of Minn Tombstone Feeder Waste = 15% Cone Feeder Waste = 8% Curtain Feeder Waste = 9% Additional round bale feeder research planned for 2010.
47. Conclusions How to optimize your hay supply… Buy quality hay Know what is in your hay Feeding hay Feed the right type of hay for your horse In some cases, only hay is needed Hay testing Determine the nutritional value of your hay Reducing feeding and storage waste Feed the correct amount Use feeders Proper storage
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51. Upcoming Webcasts Applications for Equine GeneticsOctober 21, 2009 | 1:00 pm ET On the Trail Ride: Best PracticesOctober 21, 2009 | 7:00 pm ET Why Won’t My Mare Get Pregnant?November 24, 2009 | 7:00 pm ET
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