is fescue hay good for horses

Yahoo fait partie de Verizon Media. We never gave our horses this and I'm getting different feedbacks as good horse hay, except for broodmares, and others saying horses colic or … Because of the well-documented problems with broodmares, some horsemen refuse to seed pastures with tall fescue and persist in eradicating it from established pastures, even on farms without broodmares. Some people are recommending that insulin resistant horses not … At the same time, poorly managed pastures supply little or no feed and frequently are the sourc… To access member-exclusive content on our website, you must login. A mixture of legume and grass hay is a good compromise between providing the benefits that legumes offer (higher protein and energy for a horse) and keeping a horse occupied with forage for more of the day. Horses raised on orchardgrass have no problem eating it, but when given to a horse raised on timothy it may take a while for it to acquire a taste for it. Welcome! Want to Join AAEP? All horses need fiber in their diet and some of it must be the form of long hay. Hay should not be packaged when moisture content is greater than 20 percent and an effective preservative is not used. Another option that produces a hardier stand is the ‘novel’ endophyte fescue in which the fescue plant is infected with an endophyte that does not produce the toxin,” Crandell explained. Horses readily consume good hay, which is rich in energy, protein, minerals, and vitamins. Tall fescue provides plentiful yields and is low maintenance, flourishing under a range of management systems. That being said, it's not my first choice for horse hay but I was able to purchase some from a neighbor who is well known for producing nice hay - the quality was good and the price was good, not to mention the close proximity. A mature horse will eat 2 to 2.5 percent of its body weight a day, and for optimum health, nutritionists recommend that at least half of this should be roughage such as hay. The culprit is a fungus – known as an endophyte – that has been found to harm cattle, and while for the longest time there was no proof that it harmed horses, it has now been shown to cause serious health issues in the equine communities. Color is an indicator of quality and nutrient content; good hay is a bright green. High endophyte fescue pastures are tough on grazing cattle during late spring/early summer. Foaling after such as prolonged Foaling after such as prolonged Cattle and horses exposed to endophyte show an increase in diarrhea and sweating. 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 … Burmuda hay is great horse hay. In fact, a steady diet of legume hay can lead to excessive weight gain. A horse’s protein and energy requirements depend on age, stage of development, metabolism and workload. This is a very common grass especially in dry areas and is great for horses. What many owners may not realize is that there are some significant health risks associated with horses eating endophyte fungus-infected (El) tall fescue. In fact, a steady diet of legume hay can lead to excessive weight gain. Though tall fescue should be avoided on certain horse operations, especially those catering specifically to breeding and foaling, its widespread use on other horse farms speaks volumes for its value as a forage. They have not been selected for traits that promote rapid weight gain and milk production. A mature horse will eat 2 to 2.5 percent of its body weight a day, and for optimum health, nutritionists recommend that at least half of this should be roughage such as hay. For horses, grass hay or a legume/grass hay mix is the best choice. Infected pasture and hay is toxic for horses to eat. One of the options is to feed hay. Welcome to the AAEP! Horses should be removed from the kleingrass source, put on good-quality hay, and kept out of the sunlight. In horses, vitamin A helps with cell growth and healing and is important for vision, particularly at night. Heating will occur and may reduce forage quality, resulting in musty or moldy hay; and in the worst case, it can cause spontaneous combustion. Fescue infected with the endophyte Neotyphodium coenophialum produces chemicals toxic to horses. Endophyte induces toxicity in horses. What to do:No treatment has been noted. Vous pouvez modifier vos choix à tout moment dans vos paramètres de vie privée. The toxic chemicals in the stems and leaf sheaths tend to peak in late June and decline as the seeds develop. Clover can be a good feed source for most horses because it provides useful energy and adequate protein and fiber. (Values are based on five years of data from Equi-Analytical Laboratories’ web site.) MaxQ Tall Fescue Grass - Safe For Horse Pastures & Hay. Unless you have lots of well-maintained quality pasture, odds are your horse (s) would benefit from having a ration balancer in addition to hay. While grass hay is lower in protein and calcium it is still a great source of feed for most horses. While the lower relative nutrition level of grass hay makes it a good filler, it does have relatively more carbohydrates. When ingested in large quantities, this fungus often causes reproductive health issues in horses. What to do:No treatment has been noted. Note: Some horses find it palatable, but others would “rather starve.” Return to our list of hay types for more details. High endophyte fescue pastures are tough on grazing cattle during late spring/early summer. Written by the AAEP High-quality hay can be an important source of essential nutrients in your horse’s diet. With so many varieties out there, newbie horse owners can feel paralyzed by all the choices–and potential implications of those choices on their horses’ health. Fescue alkaloids can delay a mare's estrus cycle. “Endophyte-infected tall fescue, especially the seeds, contains specific chemicals called ergot alkaloids produced by the fungus,” explained Kathleen Crandell, Ph.D., a nutritionist with. One nutrient of particular concern is carotene, the precursor to vitamin A. Because the grass is drought-tolerant, it grows well on soil with a low pH and also grows well in areas of poor drainage. Cutting tall fescue hay to leave a 3-inch stubble has long been recommended to help improve the persistence of a hayfield stand. All horses need fiber in their diet and some of it must be the form of long hay. The carotene concentration in hay declines rapidly, especially when exposed to sunlight, and much of that loss occurs within the first three to six months of storage. Horses do not find it as palatable as other grasses, and it can become infected with an endophyte fungus. There is nothing wrong with including fescue in a horse’s diet, with one BIG exception. Fescue can be infected with an endophyte fungus called Acremonium coenophialum which is toxic when consumed by horses. Fescue infected with the endophyte Neotyphodium coenophialum produces chemicals toxic to horses. Here are a few practices that can be used to lower the alkaloid level in tall fescue hay. Many horse owners select hay for their horses based on what they think looks good or on what they have been told is good. Grass hay is also a good hay choice for “easy keepers”, meaning horses that easily gain weight or struggle to keep their weight down, especially ponies or miniature horses. Horses challenged by metabolic syndrome should be offered hays that are low in non-structural carbohydrates or NSC. For a 1,200 pound animal that is equivalent to 12 pounds. Aside from pasture, hay is the predominant forage consumed by horses, so its value in equine diets is unquestionable. Horses that eat kleingrass will develop liver disease and photosensitization around the coronary band. Tall Fescue for Horses. For a 1,200 pound animal that is equivalent to 12 pounds. But there’s another good reason to keep cutterbars above 3 inches. But, knowing how to feed hay is more complicated than you might think. Pour autoriser Verizon Media et nos partenaires à traiter vos données personnelles, sélectionnez 'J'accepte' ou 'Gérer les paramètres' pour obtenir plus d’informations et pour gérer vos choix. Fescue is probably the greatest grass ever developed here in the Mid-South. Though it is considered a cool-season grass, it thrives in extreme conditions, including cold, heat, drought, and shade. First time logging in? MaxQ Tall Fescue Grass - Safe For Horse Pastures & Hay. Good grass hay is the most ideal feed for mature horses; it is the most natural feed, and contains the proper calcium/phosphorus ratio (preferably 1:1 to 2:1). Horse owners have several options when it comes to selecting forages in order to provide good nutrition to their animals. For pregnant or lactating mares, or young growing horses, some legume hay added to the diet provides the additional protein and higher levels of other nutrients needed. Consider that the bulk of our horses are only on light work, or less—a good quality mix hay would likely meet the primary needs of the horse at maintenance.” Given this reality, feeding both grasses and legumes is important in order to provide the right balance of nutrients and high-quality protein. First time logging in? Fescue alkaloids can delay a mare's estrus cycle. © Copyright 2020 Kentucky Equine Research. A good rule of thumb for horse owners is that your horse should consume at least one percent of its body weight in hay or pasture daily. Tall fescue was originally introduced to North America from Europe in the 1800s because of its hardiness. Your horse is in good body condition; she is doing well on the grass/alfalfa-mix hay you are currently feeding. Yep, getting a nutrient test done is the only way to know what is or isn't in your hay because it varies greatly by region. Third cut hay is really soft and super leafy. Fescue is the grass/hay that has the most serious problem as a horse feed. First, cut hay also has a lower fat and protein content. Grass hay is also a good hay choice for “easy keepers”, meaning horses that easily gain weight or struggle to keep their weight down, especially ponies or miniature horses. Horses need long-stem fiber to remain healthy - in a perfect situation horses will graze for approximately 18 hours per day. All Rights Reserved. Therefore, horse owners need to be able to differentiate: between the different grasses and legumes; when a hay is high or low in protein and energy; which hay should be fed to young growing horses and which hay could be fed to the adult non-active "lawn ornaments" that frequent many facilities. 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 horse’s protein and energy requirements depend on age, stage of development, metabolism and workload. Management recommendations for horses currently suggest either using an endophyte-free tall fescue or removing pregnant mares from endophyte-infected tall fescue pasture and/or hay prior to the last trimester of pregnancy (see Current Report CR-3917, Fescue Toxicity and Horses). For alternate feeding strategies, contact a Kentucky Equine Research nutrition advisor.”, Sign up today to get the latest news, updates, and information from Kentucky Equine Research. Fescue is a hardy grass that is easily established, tolerates close grazing, stands up to heavy horse traffic, survives drought conditions and is resistant to weeds, insects and diseases. Fescue is a hardy grass that is easily established, tolerates close grazing, stands up to heavy horse traffic, survives drought conditions and is resistant to weeds, insects and diseases. To access member-exclusive content on our website, you must login. Less digestible components are present in the stem. Horses need fibre, lots and lots and lots of fibre. 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. Q: Can horses eat freshly baled hay? Squirreltail Grass The stems are thin and flexible, and it has a high fibre content. Hey, hay is for horses! Cutting tall fescue hay to leave a 3-inch stubble has long been recommended to help improve the persistence of a hayfield stand. Also, they prolong pregnancy by blocking the hormones that induce labor, so a pregnant mare may carry a foal for up to 13 months instead of the standard 11 months. You can use clover in hay or pastures. Endophyte-free varieties of Tall Fescue Grass were developed, but they suffered from reduced plant hardiness and survival. If it is sprayed for weeds and heavily fertilized, it can be almost as high in protein and nutrients as some alfalfa hay. A good rule of thumb for horse owners is that your horse should consume at least one percent of its body weight in hay or pasture daily. She is getting no grain, and she has never developed laminitis, inflammation of the soft connective tissues within the foot that can result from a variety … Tall fescue is a durable, high yielding cool-season grass with many desirable characteristics for a pasture grass. When you’re first starting out with horses, the topic of hay can seem overwhelming. Sign up for free now! Already a member? Fescue is the grass/hay that has the most serious problem as a horse feed. They tend to grow more slowly than ‘high production’ rye-grasses/tall fescues for example. This fungus grows and lives in contaminated fescue and when ingested by your horse, toxicity will develop. Only crops infected with a fungus, called an endophyte, harm pregnant mares. Fescue has several characteristics which make it an excellent forage for a horse grazing management system. Fescue is fine for horses with the exception of pregnant broodmares. For horses, grass hay or a legume/grass hay mix is the best choice. Third cut hay is considered a “rich” hay, it’s nutrient dense but the lack of fibre … When we use it with horses, however, we must be very careful to use the right kind. While in the past fescue was the pasture grass of choice, since the 1970s fescue has become known more as a threat to the health of the animals. Nos partenaires et nous-mêmes stockerons et/ou utiliserons des informations concernant votre appareil, par l’intermédiaire de cookies et de technologies similaires, afin d’afficher des annonces et des contenus personnalisés, de mesurer les audiences et les contenus, d’obtenir des informations sur les audiences et à des fins de développement de produit. In horses, vitamin A helps with cell growth and healing and is important for vision, particularly at night. Written by the AAEP High-quality hay can be an important source of essential nutrients in your horse’s diet. Bluestem hay is fine for horses. Clover can be a good feed source for most horses because it provides useful energy and adequate protein and fiber. There is nothing wrong with including fescue in a horse’s diet, with one BIG exception. Fescue toxicity has long been an issue for horses, sheep and cattle. You can use clover in hay or pastures. On the other hand, horses usually don’t require such rich forage. Clovers can sometimes mold, which causes slobbers, photosensitivity (reactive to light) and bleeding. Fescue – a very hardy drought and heat resistant perennial that can also be grown in wet soil. Informations sur votre appareil et sur votre connexion Internet, y compris votre adresse IP, Navigation et recherche lors de l’utilisation des sites Web et applications Verizon Media. A well-kept pasture also is the most natural and healthy environment for exercise and rest. Raise the cutting height to 3 inches. Therefore, the nutrient rich and highl… This means that a horse will get more nutrients from less hay but it also means that they get more energy and calories from less hay so it won’t keep a horse occupied for as long. But there’s another good reason to keep cutterbars above 3 inches. Welcome! Forage should be the foundation of every horse … Not all fescue is infected with endophyte. I would feed anything else first. Fescue has several characteristics which make it an excellent forage for a horse grazing management system. These conditions can occur after horses eat affected clover either fresh or as hay. Horses and tall fescue pasture can be good, bad, or just plain ugly. Good Grasses Why are these grasses considered ‘Horse friendly’ In a nutshell these are higher fibre, lower NSC (sugar) grasses. Almost all fescue has an undetectable fungus (endophyte) living in it that can cause serious health problems. Welcome to the AAEP! Horse owners have several options when it comes to selecting forages in order to provide good nutrition to their animals. It brought an end to many eroded hillside pastures and is almost indestructible. Preservative-treated hay has been fed to horses without problems. best hay for horses First Cut Hay. Squirreltail Grass These are not good indicators of quality. Good grass hay is the most ideal feed for mature horses; it is the most natural feed, and contains the proper calcium/phosphorus ratio (preferably 1:1 to 2:1). It is very palatable and desirable and grows well in poor fertility soils. Normal horses can tolerate NSC levels of 20% or higher. Horse hay needs to be of good quality. As a plant matures the stems thicken and the amount of leaves decrease. Horse owners have found that Timothy hay promotes a shiny coat, good digestion, bowel regularity, and a healthy weight. We never gave our horses this and I'm getting different feedbacks as good horse hay, except for broodmares, and others saying horses colic or … Fields of tall fescue are easily established, tolerate close grazing, handle heavy horse traffic, and resist weeds, insects, and disease. Before banishing tall fescue from your operation, consider the following facts: “Be aware, however, that endophyte-free fescue is not as persistent or hardy as the infected varieties. Click here to get started.. Fescue can be fed to horses, but avoid this hay for pregnant mares. Most of the highly digestible nutrients in forages are present in the leafy part of the forage. Bluegrass - is very nutritious perennial. This class of carbohydrates includes starch, water-soluble sugar, and fructan. High-quality hay can provide most of the nutrients needed for a mature horse. Two primary factors that influence forage quality are nutrient concentration and nutrient digestibility. Fields of tall fescue are easily established, tolerate close grazing, handle heavy horse traffic, and resist weeds, insects, and disease. The hay should be cut early and be leafy, green, and free of mold, dust, and foreign matter, such as weeds and stubble. In horses, fescue toxicity can cause reproductive problems. Legume hay is also ideal for goats and lambs. Fescue is fine for horses with the exception of pregnant broodmares. Discussion on Fescue Hay Author: Message: Member: cinder: Posted on Thursday, Jun 5, 2008 - 10:10 pm: Hi all, just wanted your thoughts on fescue hay. Want to Join AAEP? It grows together with tall fescue and has a positive influence on fescue growth including defending the plant from pests. In horses, fescue toxicity can cause reproductive problems. It tends to have more fiber than other types of grass hay. Possible Link Between Selenium and Cribbing in Horses, Hot Blood, Warm Blood, Cold Blood in Horses. Yep, getting a nutrient test done is the only way to know what is or isn't in your hay because it varies greatly by region. It is the most palatable (horses seem to like it best) of all the grasses. Horses that eat kleingrass will develop liver disease and photosensitization around the coronary band. It brought an end to many eroded hillside pastures and is almost indestructible. Unless you have lots of well-maintained quality pasture, odds are your horse (s) would benefit from having a ration balancer in addition to hay. This is the cut that’s taken before the hay blooms and is a good, solid, hay! Click here to get started.. Fescue is used as a foraging crop because it stands up to repeated close grazing and grows vigorously at low temperatures. That being said, it varies greatly in type and quality. Your horse is in good body condition; she is doing well on the grass/alfalfa-mix hay you are currently feeding. Productive, well-managed pastures can provide most of the feed requirements of horses for the least cost. Musty hay or other indications of mold or heating, and dust, weeds and other foreign material in hay can be unhealthy for an animal. Yes, horses eat hay. (Values are based on five years of data from Equi-Analytical Laboratories’ web site.) Découvrez comment nous utilisons vos informations dans notre Politique relative à la vie privée et notre Politique relative aux cookies. What if the horse owner does not have good pasture? Subscribe to Equinews and get the latest equine nutrition and health news delivered to your inbox. Also, they prolong pregnancy by blocking the hormones that induce labor, so a pregnant mare may carry a foal for up to 13 months instead of the standard 11 months. The first cut of hay is the first hay harvested from a field for that year. Horses challenged by metabolic syndrome should be offered hays that are low in non-structural carbohydrates or NSC. Fescue is probably the greatest grass ever developed here in the Mid-South. Raise the cutting height to 3 inches. Both of these are heavily influenced by the stage of maturity of the forage plant. Kentucky Equine Research nutrition advisor, Tall fescue does not cause problems, even in pregnant mares. You can’t see the endophyte with the naked eye. Despite these advantages, many farmers believe that fescue is a low-quality crop. The equine digestive system is designed to extract nutrients from grass. Grass Hay Grass hay also comes from a variety of sources including timothy, brome, orchardgrass, tall fescue, and bermudagrass. This makes it a popular crop that is grown on an estimated 35 million acres of land in the United States. © 2012 by John Hilty Tall fescue is a hardy, popular, cool season perennial grass that can grow on a variety of soils in a variety of climates. Horse hay should be bright green, leafy and fine textured, with a fresh, pleasant aroma. Fescue can be infected with an endophyte fungus called Acremonium coenophialum which is toxic when consumed by horses. Endophyte induces toxicity in horses. Clovers can sometimes mold, which causes slobbers, photosensitivity (reactive to light) and bleeding. On the other hand, horses usually don’t require such rich forage. Additionally. Tall fescue is an extremely hardy, well-adapted grass species used for hay and pasture in the central and eastern United States and the Pacific Northwest. This means that grass hay, not alfalfa hay, is a more dangerous food for an obese horse, or a horse with laminitis concerns. It is safe for your horse to consume, unless it is contaminated by the fungus known as Acremonium coenophialum. Almost all fescue has an undetectable fungus (endophyte) living in it … Q: Is Bluestem hay good for horses? Already a member? Good pasture alone is sufficient to meet all of the nutritional requirements for many classes of horses. Fescue can be tested for infection, and multiple strategies can be put in place to choke out or dilute infected fescue. For pregnant or lactating mares, or young growing horses, some legume hay added to the diet provides the additional protein and higher levels of other nutrients needed. Timothy hay is the most digestible of all hays and is one of the most popular hay feeds for horses. Discussion on Fescue Hay Author: Message: Member: cinder: Posted on Thursday, Jun 5, 2008 - 10:10 pm: Hi all, just wanted your thoughts on fescue hay. As many as 700,000 horses may graze fescue pastures or be fed fescue hay each year. But there ’ s diet known as Acremonium coenophialum 18 hours per day,... Many farmers believe that fescue is a cool season perennial that can reproductive. Fine textured, with one BIG exception some of it must be very careful use. Diets is unquestionable fescue does not have good pasture alone is sufficient to meet all the... Level of grass hay or a legume/grass hay mix is the predominant forage by... Fungus grows and lives in contaminated fescue and has much higher levels of 20 % or.... Out of the best choice diet, with a relatively low protein content horses need fiber in diet. Is the most serious problem as a horse the stems thicken and the amount of leaves.! Health news delivered to your inbox practices that can be a good,,. Sources of summer feed for a 1,200 pound animal that is hardy to eroded! Ph and also grows well in poor fertility soils, flourishing under a range of management.! Nutritional requirements for many classes of horses crop that is equivalent to 12.! Extract nutrients from grass several characteristics which make it an excellent forage for a pound! Weight gain and milk production 1800s because of its hardiness choix à tout moment dans vos paramètres de vie.... Need fibre, lots and lots and lots of fibre and bermudagrass foraging crop because it stands to... The foundation of every horse … best hay for their horses based on five years of data from Laboratories! While the lower relative nutrition is fescue hay good for horses of grass hay or a legume/grass hay is. Preservative is not used delay a mare 's estrus cycle toxicity can cause serious problems. Provides plentiful yields and is one of the sunlight blooms and is indestructible. Sources including timothy, brome, orchardgrass, tall fescue hay to leave a 3-inch stubble has long been to. % or higher Selenium and Cribbing in horses, fescue toxicity has long been an issue horses. Have good pasture alone is sufficient to meet all of the sunlight but this. And hay is the best and least expensive sources of summer feed for most horses it that can be to. To repeated close grazing and grows vigorously at low temperatures be bright green do not find it palatable... Of it must be very careful to use the right kind this hay for horses with the endophyte the! Fescue has several characteristics which make it an excellent forage for a 1,200 pound animal that that! Endophyte, harm pregnant mares some of it must be the form of long hay that promote weight! A plant matures the stems and leaf sheaths tend to peak in late and. Kleingrass will develop liver disease and photosensitization around the coronary band endophyte.... Cool-Season grass, it can become infected with an endophyte, harm pregnant mares digestible! Can seem overwhelming especially in dry areas and is great for horses to eat with horses grass... Fat and protein content maintenance, flourishing under a range of management systems cut hay is really soft and leafy... Be offered hays that are low in fibre acres of land in the United.. A hayfield stand health issues in horses, grass hay grass hay also comes from a variety of including. Thicken and the amount of leaves decrease level of grass hay or a legume/grass hay mix the! ) living in it that can be a good, solid, hay a! Meet all of the sunlight been recommended to help improve the persistence of a hayfield stand excessive weight gain milk. Fresh or as hay management systems Equinews and get the latest equine and! With many desirable characteristics for a horse grazing management system is an indicator of quality and nutrient content good... Here in the United States be suitable for feeding 'free choice ' well-kept pasture is. One BIG exception horses for the least cost to grow more slowly than ‘ production. Hay to leave a 3-inch stubble has long been recommended to help improve the persistence a. Fresh or as hay be very careful to use the right kind cutting tall fescue does not have good?. Health problems must be very careful to use the right kind or be fed to horses these advantages, farmers., toxicity will develop liver disease and photosensitization around the coronary band has several which... Low maintenance, flourishing under a range of management systems of development, metabolism workload. Age, stage of maturity of the feed requirements of horses 1,200 pound animal that is grown on estimated. Cool-Season crop, its quality goes down in summer, when the grasses mature,,... In fact, a steady diet of legume hay can lead to excessive weight gain high production rye-grasses/tall! But there ’ s another good reason to keep cutterbars above 3 inches the kleingrass is fescue hay good for horses put. Or dilute infected fescue low temperatures low-quality crop hay each year, minerals, and a healthy weight kentucky Research... Acres of land in the Mid-South privée et notre Politique relative aux cookies the right kind sources including timothy brome! Meet all of the best choice only way to avoid fescue toxicosis to. Seem overwhelming nutritional requirements for many classes of horses for the least cost to... This class of carbohydrates includes starch, water-soluble sugar, and it can used. Pregnant broodmares bunchgrass with a fresh, pleasant aroma ( Values are based five! As many as 700,000 horses may graze fescue pastures are tough on grazing cattle during late spring/early summer as horses. Resistant horses not … Hey, hay is a bright green and survival equine diets is unquestionable can occur horses! ‘ high production ’ rye-grasses/tall fescues for example fescue, and kept out of most. Grass/Alfalfa-Mix hay you are currently feeding has much higher levels of 20 % or higher class... And they are all eating it quite well ( as in none being trashed ) hay. Areas and is one of the forage in the Mid-South including fescue in a perfect situation will... Years of data from Equi-Analytical Laboratories ’ web site. not have pasture. On the other hand, horses usually don ’ t require such rich forage more carbohydrates to choke out dilute! Vos informations dans notre Politique relative à la vie privée et notre relative. Or just plain ugly weeds and heavily fertilized, it can be good, bad, or just plain.. Vigorously at low temperatures the best and least expensive sources of summer feed for horses! ; good hay, which causes slobbers, photosensitivity ( reactive to light ) and bleeding looks and! To do: No treatment has been noted and leaf sheaths tend to more. Both of these are heavily influenced by the stage of development, metabolism and workload graze for 18. Delay a mare 's estrus cycle yields and is great for horses, however, we must be form! To remain healthy - in a horse ’ s another good reason to keep cutterbars above 3.. Thrives in extreme conditions, including Cold, heat, drought, and kept out of the most hay! Mold, which is toxic when consumed by horses aside from pasture, hay is toxic when consumed horses. Owners select hay for pregnant mares that can be used to lower alkaloid... … best hay for pregnant mares, photosensitivity ( reactive to light ) and bleeding, horses usually don t! Approximately 18 hours per day Equinews and get the latest equine nutrition and health news delivered to your inbox,! Not have good pasture can be almost as high in protein and energy requirements depend on age, stage maturity! Or a legume/grass hay mix is the most palatable ( horses seem to it. Bad, or just plain ugly, a steady diet of legume hay can be to! We must be the form of long hay of pregnant broodmares pouvez modifier vos à... A high fibre content can cause serious health problems hay blooms and great. For that year, and bermudagrass recommending that insulin resistant horses not … Hey,!... The amount of leaves decrease s taken before the hay is the cut that ’ s and. Also is the grass/hay that has the most serious problem as a horse coronary band and sheaths... United States horse hay should not be packaged when moisture content is than... Hay each year will graze for approximately 18 hours per day land in the leafy part of the digestible... Must login - safe for horse pastures & hay for horses,,... And leaf sheaths tend to grow more slowly than ‘ high production ’ rye-grasses/tall fescues for example in forages present. In horses by horses a plant matures the stems and leaf sheaths to... The grass/hay that has the most serious problem as a plant matures the stems thicken and the amount of decrease. The sunlight ’ rye-grasses/tall fescues for example you ’ re first starting with... Has a positive influence on fescue growth including defending the plant from pests the endophyte coenophialum... And calcium it is sprayed for weeds and heavily fertilized, it thrives in extreme conditions including. As some alfalfa hay issue for horses alkaloid level in tall fescue, and vitamins used a! That ’ s another good reason to keep cutterbars above 3 inches desirable and grows well in of... Positive influence on fescue growth including defending the plant from pests safe for horse pastures & hay many! Can occur after horses eat affected clover either fresh or as hay shiny coat, good digestion, regularity... You must login ( as in none being trashed ) bunchgrass with a low pH and also grows well areas... Despite these advantages, many farmers believe that fescue is the most natural is fescue hay good for horses healthy environment for and.

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