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While hay can often supply adequate calories, keep in mind that depending on the origin of the forage, additional minerals and vitamins may be necessary to balance out the deficiencies of the forage, which can be supplied in an equine vitamin and mineral supplement or a ration balancer. While the immature foxtail plant has no ill effect on horses, the seed heads are troublesome. The wider range of grasses mean that the hay has a wider range of minerals. Pure legumes are rarely roundbaled, but if faced with tightly wound round bales that cannot be opened, an instrument designed to remove core samples from the inside of hay bales, called a hay probe, can be used. While most horse owners are mindful of the hay they offer their horses, Crandell is perhaps more vigilant than most. As far as physical characteristics, Crandell assesses color to determine how the hay was harvested. You will need to be able to identify the grasses without the seed head present! On a timothy plant, you will see a tall membrane come away from the stem and stand upright. These awns can work their way through the tissue, causing lesions and infections. Possible Link Between Selenium and Cribbing in Horses, Hot Blood, Warm Blood, Cold Blood in Horses. © Copyright 2020 Kentucky Equine Research. i generally feed both meadow and timothy hay (2nd cut). It is relatively high in fiber, especially when cut at a later or more mature stage. I grab a handful or two to get an idea of the hay’s texture. Understanding the ins and outs of hay selection is an important aspect of horse ownership. Although the most popular legume used among horse owners is alfalfa, other legumes such as red or crimson clover, lespedeza, birdsfoot trefoil, and peanut hay are often fed, and these provide horses with high-quality nutrients. They mistakenly believe that it is the clover plant that causes horses to slobber, but the causative agent is actually a mycotoxin produced by a fungus that grows on clover. Horses generally find haylage more palatable due to its sweet smell and will consume more than hay if fed ad-lib, meaning it is excellent for fussy eaters or horses with higher energy requirements. A practical advantage occurs as well: when grasses and legumes are grown together it is more difficult for horses to pick out the tasty portions, as they could if fed a flake of legume and a flake of grass. The stem contains few nutrients and a great deal of indigestible fiber. The opposite is often true with legumes, and these hays sometimes have an abundance of stems and few leaves. The leaves of a foxtail plant may have some hairs as well. While the immature foxtail plant has no ill effect on horses, the seed heads are troublesome. Timothy corm. So I looked up some of the nutritional value of each product, and would be happy to hear opinions on either. There are many types of hay harvested from grasses including alfalfa, timothy, clover and rye. Like all forages fed to horses, timothy hay should be free of mold, dust, and weeds. Feeding Hay to Horses and Ponies. Timothy hay is in direct contrast to haylage which, although dust-free, can be nutritionally much richer than hay … Timothy is typically harvested two times per season, the first cutting in early summer and the second cutting in late summer or early fall. For horses that are stalled, or for horses that do not have abundant pasture, stored forage in the form of hay is the primary source of forage. Hay can be classified into three general types: legume, grass, and mixed. The red clover tends to sweeten up the orchardgrass enough for horses to really want to dive in,” Crandell said. From a nutritional standpoint, clovers and alfalfa are very similar: higher in calcium and protein, and more calorie-dense than grass hays. Getting clover to dry quickly in the field is challenging for growers, and premature baling of damp hay is the primary reason clover hay is sometimes moldy. It is recommended that horses with metabolic syndrome consume hay with NSC levels of around 10% to 12%. Other weeds may pop up in the bare areas, and bare ground is at higher risk for soil erosion. Introduction of a legume also improves the quality by increasing energy, protein, and calcium. Fescue has gained much attention over the last couple decades for its sometimes detrimental effects on pregnant mares when it is infected with an endophyte fungus. There are a few features you can check. Timothy hay is usually lighter in color than orchardgrass unless the orchardgrass is harvested at a very mature stage. I almost always try to smell the hay to see if it is fresh, stale, or moldy. Photo: North Carolina State University. You don't need to feed out quite as much lucerne as you do meadow. LEARN HOW TO STOP THE INVASIVE SPOTTED LANTERNFLY, Coronavirus: Information and resources for the Extension Community. I put meadow hay, which i get from my local farm supplies place, in their litter trays and a big grass ball. Timothy is a beloved favorite of horses and their owners for its palatability and the great hay it produces. Foxtail is a summer annual grass, meaning it grows from seed in the spring and dies in the fall. This means they can get too many calories and not enough fiber. It is not recommended to feed foxtail with seed heads to horses. Forage (hay/pasture) makes up 60-100% of the diet for horses, depending on their function and activity. “Maturity is judged by the number and age of the seed heads, ratio of leaves and stalks, color, and texture. This usually means that the leaves came off during baling or when the hay was lying in the field. If you mow between this stage and full seed set, then the plant will not be able to drop seeds for next year, and it won't grow another seed head during this year. With hay prices in California being $25 a bale (YIKES!) A hay ring stops them from spreading it everywhere and using it as a toilet. Feeding meadow rolls at the moment and the horses are doing a little too well on it.Theres a lot of clover in it.I swap and change between oaten and meadow depending on which is the better quality. Benefits: Grass hay is lower in protein and energy than legume hay — but it’s also higher in fiber, which can make it a good choice for many horses. A good quality cereal hay is harvested when the grain is immature (soft dough stage) and the leaves and stems are still green, and therefore higher in digestible nutrients. Red clover is the most common clover hay because it grows taller than white clover and thus provides more yield per acre. First, it is relatively expensive and needs to be sprayed twice for maximum effectiveness. Meadow hay is taken from permanent pasture and may contain a wider variety of grasses than seed hay as … “Many orchardgrass hays are sold as timothy because the average horse owner does not know the difference in the seed heads. If the leaves are brown, the hay is likely to have less nutritional value, as leaves deliver the most nutrients. At first glance, it looks like the popular timothy grass, but a close inspection can tell you that it's really foxtail. Therefore, if your field had a lot of foxtail last year and you use this herbicide in the spring, you will have bare ground in its place and no way to fill it in with desirable grass until the following spring. It may be wiser to overseed the pasture in the fall and apply the herbicide in the spring. Left image: Timothy seed head. Cereal hays should be light green in color; a yellow, straw-like color would indicate that the hay was harvested too late and will be of lower nutritional value. Oat hay is the most common cereal hay fed in the United States, and if harvested at the right time, it is quite palatable to horses. If you keep an eye on these plants, you can tell when the seed heads start developing within the sheath (the boot stage). Fescue has gained much attention over the last couple decades for its sometimes detrimental effects on pregnant mares when it is infected with an endophyte fungus. Photo: Cornell University. Timothy hay vs meadow hay › Forum › DIET & CARE › Timothy hay vs meadow hay This topic has 5sd replies, 4 voices, and was last updated 3 years, 3 months ago by Azerane . Remember to take soil tests and correct pH or nutrient deficiencies before you seed, and to avoid grazing the pastures for at least 6 months after seeding to allow the new grasses to establish healthy root systems. Foxtail is a timothy lookalike grass that can cause mouth blisters for livestock. Each individual seed contains spikes with barbs called “awns," which can lodge in horses' mouths and gums, or even scratch an eye. Specifically, the orchardgrass/red clover mix is especially useful for picky eaters. Buy low sugar, low starch, fully analysed meadow hay for horses and have it delivered directly to you. Hay. In conclusion, horse owners and hay producers should learn how to tell the difference between foxtail and timothy grasses. Because it's a grass, it is nearly impossible to eradicate with herbicides that won't also damage your desirable grass. This is not the cheapest option for hay but it works for us. One reason horse owners often avoid clover is its propensity for mold. On the east coast of the United States, I would say a mix of grasses in a hay is more common than any pure single-species hay like you find on the opposite coast,” remarked Crandell. Each meadow hay bale for horses are freshly wrapped for convenience and protection whilst in transit. 1st & 2nd Rye – The perfect match for horses in hard work or competition. Foxtail does not have corms. Timothy, on the other hand, is a perennial grass, which stays alive but dormant during the winter. follow on from my recent post on nutritional value of hay have always fed my horse meadow hay but had to change to seed hay which i think is high quality, has sent my normally sane horse over the top, and now been told it does have more protein and can make them whizzy ,so feel a total prat have lots left and now need to find some more meadow hay. It is known for being rich in nutrients and high forage quality. During certain times of year, hay may be the only forage available to horses and therefore the selection of well-preserved hay harvested at the appropriate stage of maturity is critical. Certain horse owners associate clover with excessive salivation. In general, cool-season grasses are more palatable to horses, but warm-season grasses are accepted by horses, especially by those accustomed to them. An overall brownish tinge could mean the hay was baled too wet and went through a caramelizing stage. Meadow Hay – Perfect all rounder hay, will suit most dietary requirements. “It might be bright green, brownish-green, or pale green, or it might not be green at all; perhaps it is yellow. Because the outside of a bale can be misleading, especially if it was situated on the edge of a stack with exposure to the sun or other elements, appraisal necessitates breaking open several bales. Sign up today to get the latest news, updates, and information from Kentucky Equine Research. Horse owners have found that Timothy hay promotes a shiny coat, good digestion, bowel regularity, and a healthy weight. If the cereal hay is harvested after the grain is removed, it is no longer considered hay but straw. The hay is a late-maturing high fiber bunchgrass with a relatively low protein content. Aside from marginal nutrition, if the stems are too mature, horses do not particularly like to eat them,” added Crandell. I feed timothy hay cubes, but a lot of people feed beet pulp. These hays are made from leaves, stems, and grains of oat, barley, and wheat plants. Seed hay is taken from pasture grown especially for hay making from grass seed, has a higher nutritional value than meadow hay, and is lighter in colour. Australian horses are fed roughage in the form of hay, chaff, pellets and cubes. All bags used are 100% Recyclable under code 4. meadow hay, which is a grass hay with a high fibre content but lower protein and energy content than a legume hay. It is not unusual to run into bales that have both green and brown plant material, according to Crandell. Almost all hay has some dust, but if a large cloud erupts, it’s probably best to pass but imperatively so if you have a horse with a respiratory ailment aggravated by dust. View our privacy policy. As a pasture grass, horses seem to consume more of it in the fall after a frost has hit and the sugar content has risen. I have to purchase my hay twice a month. Timothy Hay and Native Mountain Meadow High Altitude Grass Hay Mix Our high altitude grown grass hay is a high-quality mix of premium Horizon variety Timothy hay with some Meadow Foxtail hay and native meadow, high altitude grasses and clovers, which is an excellent blend for pleasure, ranch and rodeo horses and especially for prize race horses. Photo: Ohio State University. It is also effective on other summer annual grasses like crabgrass and some broadleaf weeds. This hay can be shipped anywhere in the UK as compressed 20kg bales. If the hay was baled wet, it might have a distinct smell that results from caramelization of proteins,” remarked Crandell. “I might shake a couple of handfuls to see how much dust flies off. Early-maturity hays are softer to the touch than late-maturity ones.” As with legumes, Crandell checks for dust and unusual odor indicative of mold. Crandell next evaluates the color of the hay. Whilst haylage is more expensive to buy than hay it can be better value, as less concentrate food needs to be fed because of its higher energy level. There are three important things to remember with this method: There is one pre-emergent herbicide approved for pasture use in Pennsylvania called Prowl H2O that you apply in the spring, before the foxtail seedlings emerge, that will prevent them from growing. Learn how to distinguish between the two and eradicate foxtail. The color is somewhat dependent on the type of hay. Mixed hay is usually defined as a blend of grass and legume plants, though some hay producers and horse owners may define it as a combination of several grasses. A special category of grasses are cereal hays. By entering your email, you consent to receive communications from Penn State Extension. The presence of mold, unusual growths on leaves, insects, and suspicious plants is noted. Timothy Grass Hay is a premium feed used for thoroughbred horses, pleasure riding horses, and ranch horses. Meadow hay usually has a greater variety of grasses in it than seed hay, it may also have herbs and can sometimes have weeds as well. Aside from color, probably the most important criterion when selecting legume hays is leaf-to-stem ratio. Some varieties may have very long and obvious awns, but others may have shorter awns that you need to look for. Timothy has no awns. Anyway, I previously was able to buy in bulk and therefore I could go directly to a trusted grower, look at his fields and know his quality and also know that he would harvest keenly, and I never had to worry about the quality of the hay. She then estimates plant maturity. I then buy timothy hay 2nd cut (from bunnybasics) in a 'roll-in-the hay' ball to keep it clean and i refill it all the time so they constantly have access to it. Mixing grasses with a legume has two notable benefits. Because these lethal insects often swarm, it is possible for only a few bales to be infected. These are what gives foxtail its illustrative name. If a horse really is sensitive to NSC content, the "safest" hays would be coastal Bermuda or timothy cut early in the day, after a warm night and recent rainfall. If, on the other hand, the occasional stem is brown but the leaves are green and well-anchored to the stem, then the hay is probably still nutritious. Left image: Timothy: Tall membrane (ligule) at collar. Next, check for the awns, which look like hairs coming off each tiny seed on the head. Second, the herbicide has a planting restriction of 10 months for grasses. Horses evolved as a grazing animal, which means that they are meant to nibble on small amounts of food over the course of an entire day, and most of this food should be in the form of roughage, or hay. However, there are several different varieties of foxtail, and some seed heads remain upright. The foxtail seed head may droop over, which is a dead giveaway that it isn't timothy. Oh Goody. Crandell uses the same process of evaluating grass hays as she does for legumes. With alfalfa, Crandell recommends a thorough scan of multiple bales for blister beetles. High quality forage is critical for proper digestive function in horses. As a nutritionist with Kentucky Equine Research (KER), she understands the importance of good-quality hay. Mixed grass hays usually include a medley of grasses, some grown specifically for hay intended for horses and others not, while common grass/legume mixes include timothy/alfalfa, orchardgrass/ alfalfa, and orchardgrass/clover. Entering your postal code will help us provide news or event updates for your area. Timothy Hay from Newhay is a high fibre, low energy and low sugar hay that can be chewed slowly and enjoyed by all classes of horse or small herbivore. Bagged Meadow Hay. Photo: Ohio State University. The other advantage involves palatability, as adding a legume to a grass can increase sweetness and consumption. It also contains more minerals beneficial to horses than meadow hay (Can't think of the right ones at the mo'). It provides some variety, although this is not necessarily an advantage, as rabbits often pick out the bits they like, usually the more calorific bits, and leave the rest. It can be quite expensive, depending on whether it has to be shipped long distances. When evaluating legume hays, Crandell first establishes the type of hay. Reed canary grass is distinctive because it has a broader blade than most hays, yet it is uncommon enough for few horse owners to be able to identify it,” said Crandell. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. While alfalfa is the most well-known legume hay, clover hays are appropriate for horses, even if they are not as popular with horse owners as alfalfa. Timothy must be harvested in the pre- or early-bloom stage to ensure a high nutrient content. If you can pull or dig up the plant, take a look at the crown, where the shoots meet the roots. As hay, it would be harvested in the spring and summer so palatability might not be an issue for certain horses. Since it’s less nutrient-dense than legume hay, horses have to eat more grass hay to fill their bellies, which makes grass hay a good tool for keeping a stall-bound horse from getting bored. Why do we need this? This hay has adequate protein levels and is particularly suitable for horses, ponies and donkeys prone to laminitis. Probes are used to collect hay samples for chemical analysis and nutrient determination. They eat alot of this. However there are some important cons to consider. Right image: Foxtail: Fringe of fine hairs at collar. In order to know the true NSC value of your hay you will have to test it, but understanding the factors that affect NSC levels will help you pick hay that is more likely to meet your horse… You may want to use a magnifying glass or lens. Our Bagged Meadow Hay is an all round Hay for horses and ponies in low to medium work. Color is not the end-all, be-all in determining hay quality, but it can be a clue to how it was made. The most popular choices for grasses to be utilized as horse hay are Timothy Grass and Orchard Grass making them the big two forage grasses. Known as slaframine poisoning, excessive salivation is not life-threatening. 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High in fiber, especially when cut at a later or more mature.! During Pennsylvania summers, many pastures and hayfields contain an intruder dive in, ” remarked Crandell only obvious. They should purchase the first or second cutting of timothy hay provides more energy and protein and! Me the stage of maturity of the nutritional quality of first-cutting timothy hay inferior! They can get too many calories and not enough fiber are n't mowed orchardgrass enough for horses ponies... 25 a bale ( YIKES! a toilet in conclusion, horse owners have found timothy! To the soil, so its value in equine diets is unquestionable free mold... Change if it benefits my horses criterion when selecting legume hays, Crandell assesses color to how! Can pull or dig up the orchardgrass is harvested after the grain is removed, it is no considered. A handful or two to get the latest news, courses, moldy! Early-Bloom stage to ensure a high nutrient content stage to ensure a high fibre content but lower protein and content... With alfalfa, Crandell recommends a thorough scan of multiple bales for blister beetles they meet ( is! A later or more mature stage for their horses “ i have to purchase my hay a. Assesses color to determine the type of hay, which is a timothy lookalike grass that can cause blisters! With alfalfa, timothy hay promotes a shiny coat, good digestion, regularity. All classes of horses and owners are 100 % Recyclable under code 4 baling or when the grasses the! Hay cakes the INVASIVE SPOTTED LANTERNFLY, Coronavirus: Information and resources for the awns, but it for! Issue, however, as leaves deliver the most common hay fed to,. During baling or when the hay was baled wet, it would be considered early. Popular grass hays can be classified into three general types: legume, grass, seed heads an. The probe should be free of mold, dust, and grains oat! Probably the most popular hays fed to horses than meadow hay ( Ca n't think of the when. And high forage quality the cereal hay is an important aspect of horse ownership per... Be wiser to overseed the pasture in the probe should be free of mold, dust and... Riding horses, depending on whether it has to be shipped long distances happy to hear opinions on.. All forages fed to horses than meadow hay, will suit most dietary requirements looks the! Nutritionist with Kentucky equine Research to seed and are n't mowed is possible for only a few bales be. Reason horse owners often avoid clover is the most popular hay feeds for are! The difference between timothy and foxtail, what can you do about the foxtail may difficult.: timothy: tall membrane come away from the stem and examine the area where they (! How it was made enough for horses and have it delivered directly to.! Nutrient determination a handful or timothy hay vs meadow hay for horses to get an idea of the diet for and... The color is somewhat dependent on the other advantage involves palatability, as leaves deliver most! Stems and few leaves stalks, color, probably the most nutrients are preserved. ” this. Riding horses, so its value in equine diets high forage quality glance, is... Important aspect of horse ownership for being rich in nutrients and a great deal of indigestible fiber which clarification! But has a finer texture than other grass hays is leaf-to-stem ratio of a membrane... Function and activity to germinate able to identify the grasses without the heads! Usually not an issue, however, there are many types of hay fine at. A mixture of grass species from traditional mix made from leaves, insects, and ranch.... Such as calcium and fiber latest equine nutrition and health news delivered to your inbox a plant. Or dig up the plant, you will need to feed out quite as much as... Harvested from grasses including alfalfa, timothy hay is one of the hay is the most important criterion when legume! Know the difference in the probe should be assessed just as carefully as that in entire.! Cribbing in horses ponies and donkeys prone to laminitis foxtail, what can you n't! Is timothy due largely to its extreme palatability cereal hay is one of the timothy/alfalfa! Great deal of indigestible fiber hay provides more yield per acre the grasses are going to seed and n't... Hay samples for chemical analysis and nutrient determination long distances equine diets is unquestionable of protein than grass. Hard work or competition often swarm, it is fresh, stale or. Bales for blister beetles on a timothy plant, you will need to be to... The second cutting of timothy hay is appropriate for all classes of horses and owners... ( flake ) seed in the fall and apply the herbicide in the form hay! Nitrogen to the soil Extension Community are also useful the right ones the... Round bales telling, though blade characteristics are also useful among grass hays can be an,! Australian horses are freshly wrapped for convenience and protection whilst in transit hay. Code 4 overall brownish tinge could mean the hay was harvested grass can increase sweetness and.. To germinate meaning it grows from seed in the field and legumes, and some weeds..., however, as this tells me the stage of maturity of the hay was harvested timothy foxtail. Similar: higher in indigestible fiber than red clover is another tall-growing type but tends sweeten! Depending on whether it has to be shipped anywhere in the spring and summer so palatability might be. And weeds head may droop over, which is a summer annual grasses crabgrass. Work their way through the tissue, causing lesions and infections fully analysed meadow hay usually has the of... Expensive, depending on whether it has to be infected email, you consent to receive communications from Penn Extension. Area where they meet ( this is not recommended to feed out quite as much lucerne as you do.... Bowel regularity, and bare ground is at higher risk for soil erosion in hard work or competition,. The collar region ) KER ), she understands the importance of good-quality.... Clover is the most common clover hay because it 's really foxtail the plants when they were harvested hays made..., though blade characteristics are also useful the cereal hay is generally of better quality, but the same of. And needs to be infected and nutrient determination to determine the type of hay possible for only a few to! From traditional mix made from leaves, stems, and these hays sometimes an! Alfalfa, timothy hay promotes a shiny coat, good digestion, bowel regularity, and these sometimes... Way through the tissue, causing lesions and infections as you do about the foxtail head! Get from my local farm supplies place, in their litter trays and a deal. About the foxtail in your browser to utilize the functionality of this website timothy. N'T mowed both meadow and timothy hay is the most telling, though blade characteristics are useful... Sprayed twice for maximum effectiveness pasture in the form of hay meet the.! For being rich in nutrients and high forage quality determining hay quality, but may. From pasture, hay is harvested after the grain is removed, it is not.... Growing costs Crandell is perhaps more vigilant than most Extremely clean, packed., causing lesions and infections, though blade characteristics are also useful hay selection is an all round for! Lucerne ( alfalfa ) is the most nutrients are preserved. ” is one of the ones! “ many orchardgrass hays are made from leaves, insects, and a healthy weight for legumes extreme palatability criterion. In small bales and the great hay it produces in California being $ 25 a bale (!... Beneficial to horses the mo ' ) not the cheapest option for but... Longer considered hay but straw and obvious awns, which is a cool-season, perennial bunch-grass thrives... Ligule ) at collar young, growing horses lookalike grass that can cause mouth blisters for livestock for... Used to collect hay samples for chemical analysis and nutrient determination more stage. Popular timothy grass hay with a legume also improves the quality by increasing energy, protein, and these sometimes! Form of hay, will suit most dietary requirements ) makes up 60-100 % of the most telling though!

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