The beautiful smell of fresh cut hay. You see the large rolls laying in the fields, you see stacked in bales in the barn. Some hay is used to make pellets. To some, it is the sweet aroma of nature’s best, to others it is the start of sneezing and wheezing due to allergies. But we often think of hay as, well….hay. But did you know there were many different kinds of hay?
Alfalfa– A favorite of most horses. It is easy to digest, high in protein, vitamins, and iron. Did you know every state in the U.S. produces it?
Bermuda– Buyers beware – this hay is thought to be of low quality and can cause impaction. But that does not mean horses don’t like it!
Clover– This is a dry looking hay which is often mixed with other grasses.
Oats– Having a thicker stalk that is tough, horses will often not want to eat this hay. It is a hardy hay, takes them longer to eat and is high in sugar.
Orchardgrass– A high fiber, high flavor hay. Not as nutrient rich as alfalfa.
Tall Fescue– A long soft hay that yellows as it dries – but can be bad for pregnant maresTimothy– easy on the digestive system. High in fiber and low in calcium. A more expensive alternative but good for young growing animals, aging animals, lactating mares.
(Source: Equinest 2013)
