Weekend Welcome from Kentucky Performance Products

Today’s topic: hay for easy keepers.

Photo: Flickr/evilgurl/Creative Commons License

From the Kentucky Performance Products Tips & Topics Blog:

Q: I was told to feed my easy keeper mature, lower quality grass hay. Why, and how do I tell if the hay I purchase is too low quality?

A: As hay matures the level of indigestible components increase so the hay contains more fiber and less energy, which is why mature hay is recommended for easy keepers. Mature, moderate quality hay provides the fiber your easy keeper needs to remain healthy without a bunch of extra calories. You can assess the maturity and quality level of hay by looking at it, but the best way is to test it.

As hay matures, the ratio of stems to leaves increases (more stems, fewer leaves) as does the number of mature seed heads. The plant’s stems get thicker and less digestible. Thick stems, lots of seed heads, and fewer leaves are a good clue to maturity levels.

Avoid hay that contains a large number of weeds and is weathered or bleached in color. Regardless of maturity level, this is poor feed for horses. Hay fed to horses should always be free of dust and mold.

Testing your hay for ADF (acid detergent fiber), is a great way to predict quality. The ADF test tells you what part of your hay is indigestible.

ADF level of 40% or higher indicates poor quality

ADF level of 35% to 40% indicates moderate quality

ADF level of 34% or lower indicates high quality

Along with ADF, a hay test will also provide the level of crude protein and a list of the vitamins and minerals found in the hay sample. This is very helpful information to have on hand.

Contact your local Cooperative Extension office for the hay-testing service closest to your farm or stable. They can also help you interpret the sample results when you get them.

Article written by KPP staff.

Copyright (C) 2014 Kentucky Performance Products, LLC.   All rights reserved.

Article sponsored by Micro-Phase, which provides essential vitamins and trace minerals missing from forages and unfortified diets in an easy-to-digest form.

When health issues arise, always seek the advice of a licensed veterinarian who can help you choose the correct course of action for your horse. Supplements are intended to maintain healthy systems and support recovery and healing. They are not intended to treat or cure illness or injury.

About Kentucky Performance Products, LLC: Since 1998, Kentucky Performance Products has simplified a horse owner’s search for research-proven nutritional horse supplements that meet the challenges facing modern horses. KPP horse supplements target specific nutritional needs and are formulated to complement today’s feeds, thus safeguarding against over-supplementation. Each product is scientifically formulated and made with high-quality ingredients at certified manufacturing facilities. Kentucky Performance Products is proud to offer a quality assurance promise backed by a money-back guarantee. Kentucky Performance Products brings you horse supplements you can count on because the horse that matters to you, matters to us.