Hay Quality
Name one type of hay fed to horses
Timothy, Orchard grass, Alfalfa
What should hay smell like?
Fresh cut grass
What is pasture rotation?
Moving horses between pasture areas
Why is forage important for horses?
It is the main source of fiber for digestion
True or False: Dusty hay is safe
False, dusty hay is not good for horses and can cause breathing problems.
Why are leaves important in hay?
The contain more nutrients than stems
What color should good-quality hay be?
Green (should not be brown or black)
Why should you rotate pastures?
This prevents overgrazing
True or False: Horses can get laminitis or founder from being on rich/lush grass
True, horses can founder or get laminitis due to rich/lush grass and the high sugar content
How much hay does a horse usually eat in a day?
About 1-2% of it's body weight, or about 20 lbs
Why is dusty or moldy hay dangerous?
It can cause breathing problems or colic
True or False: Lots of stems equals more nutrition
False, long stems equal less nutrition, more leaves equal more nutrition
True or False: Short grass is high in sugar
True, shorter grass has higher concentrates of sugar.
How many acres should it be to one horse, if you have more than one horse?
One Acre
Why is spreading or dragging manure helpful for pastures?
It helps manure break down and supports grass growth.
What could happen if hay is stacked before it is fully dry?
Mold growth or hay fires can occur
What is the first thing you should do to check quality of hay before feeding to your horse?
Smell it, it's the fastest way to detect problems
What is "graze half, leave half"?
Don't let horses eat more than half the grass height
How tall should grass be before horses graze on it?
6-8 inches tall
Which cutting of hay is more rich in nutrition and softer 1st or 2nd cutting?
Second cutting is softer and higher in nutrition
Name 6 important hay quality factors
Bright green color
Fresh smell
Clean foreign objects
Fine stems
Lab tested
Few seed heads or blooms
High leaf to stem ratio