Hay for horses

Whether you own one horse or 11, keeping tabs on your hay supply should be a priority on your acreage. Now is a good time to assess your grass hay needs to avoid a shortage in the winter.

Calculating hay needs
Horses need roughage. A horse's diet should consist of 50% to 100% grass hay of some sort. Lower amounts of forages in the diet can lead to an increased risk for ulcers and colic.

According to the University of Minnesota Extension, you should first determine how much hay you will need. Horses eat roughly 2% to 3% of their body weight a day. For example, an average 1,000-pound horse eats about 20 pounds of feed daily, plus water.

Next, calculate your hay needs, adding 20% for wasted hay. There is less waste when using feeders or small square bales. Ask your hay supplier how much the bales weigh and calculate your hay needs before ordering.

Extend your hay supply
What happens if you misjudge your horses' hay needs? It is best to extend the good hay you have with other fiber sources. A slow transition to other forages is essential for horses rather than an abrupt switch once you run out.

Hay cubes are an alternative to baled hay. Cubes are made by tightly compressing chopped alfalfa into squares that are 1 inch to 2 inches. These cubes have little waste and can be easily handled and transported. Cubes are a good baled hay extender, but they cost at least $6 per 50-pound bag.

Older hay can be healthy for horses, but it can be moldy or dusty. Vitamins also break down with time, and minerals can leach out if bales get wet. You may want to test for nutrient levels to balance older hay with supplements.

Beet pulp is a good source of energy and protein, and horses can be fed 5 pounds to 10 pounds a day. Try soaking the pulp before feeding to prevent swelling in your horses. It's a good idea to provide vitamin and mineral supplements with the pulp.

Complete feeds lack fiber
Complete feeds provide a good balance of nutrients and can serve as a good hay extender or replacement. However, complete feeds don't contain enough total fiber, so they need to be fed in numerous small meals. Additionally, do not give straw or cornstalks to horses, as these feedstuffs have little nutritional value.

Keep your horses happy. Implement these sound practices to ensure their dietary needs are met.