Hay serves as the primary source of fiber and nutrients in the equine diet. Unlike hay produced for cattle, which often prioritizes bulk yield, horse hay must meet high standards for safety, digestibility, and specific nutritional profiles. It must be free from mold, dust, and toxic weeds to prevent respiratory and digestive issues in sensitive equids. The goal is to manage the entire process, from seed selection to final bale, ensuring a clean, palatable, and balanced product.
Selecting Forage Species for Equine Nutrition
Forage species selection dictates the nutritional profile, particularly concerning non-structural carbohydrates (NSC). Low-NSC grasses are preferred for horses, especially those with metabolic concerns like insulin resistance or laminitis. Timothy grass is a premium choice due to its palatability and consistent, moderate nutrient content. Orchardgrass is another popular cool-season option, offering good yield and high digestibility, and is often more heat tolerant than Timothy.
Warm-season grasses, such as Bermuda grass, are grown in southern climates and provide fine stems and good fiber, though their protein and mineral content varies. Fescue grass is challenging because an endophyte fungus in some varieties produces ergot alkaloids toxic to pregnant mares, potentially causing agalactia or prolonged gestation. Growers must select endophyte-free or novel endophyte varieties to ensure safety.
Legumes, primarily Alfalfa, offer high protein and calcium, making them suitable for growing horses or lactating mares, but they must be used cautiously for other equines. Mixing a legume with a grass, such as a 70% grass to 30% Alfalfa blend, offers a balanced compromise. This blend provides enhanced palatability and better protein while mitigating the risks of excessive calories or calcium.
Soil Preparation and Establishing the Stand
Before planting, a comprehensive soil test is necessary to determine existing nutrient levels and pH. This test reveals deficiencies in phosphorus, potassium, and micronutrients that require correction. For most forage grasses and legumes, a soil pH between 6.0 and 7.0 is required to maximize nutrient availability and encourage robust growth.
If the pH is too acidic, agricultural lime must be applied and incorporated into the soil months prior to planting to allow the chemical reaction to occur. Seedbed preparation involves tillage to create a firm, fine surface free of large clods and existing vegetation. A firm seedbed ensures good seed-to-soil contact, which is necessary for uniform germination and successful establishment.
Planting can be achieved through drilling, which places the seed precisely at the correct depth and spacing, or by broadcasting, which spreads the seed over the prepared surface. Drilling often results in a more uniform stand and better initial establishment rates compared to broadcasting. Late summer or early fall is often preferred for planting cool-season grasses, allowing roots to establish before the stress of winter or summer heat. Spring planting is an alternative but requires vigilant weed control during the first season.
Managing Growth and Field Health
Ongoing management focuses on replenishing nutrients removed by each harvest and maintaining a weed-free environment. A fertilization schedule should be implemented based on the initial soil test and the estimated nutrient removal rate. Nitrogen is the primary nutrient driving grass yield and is typically applied in splits following each cutting to encourage regrowth. Phosphorus and potassium levels are maintained according to recommendations.
While hay production is often rain-fed, supplemental irrigation may be necessary during extended dry periods. This prevents the stand from becoming stressed, which can reduce yield and potentially increase the concentration of NSC. Stressed plants are also more susceptible to disease and pest damage.
Weed control is paramount because several common field weeds are toxic to equines, even when dried and baled. Plants like tansy ragwort, common groundsel, and various nightshade species retain their toxicity in hay and must be eliminated. Safe herbicide use, strictly following label instructions, is generally required for effective control. Growers must ensure the selected product is safe for the forage species and adheres to the required pre-harvest interval.
Field health also involves monitoring for invasive grasses or perennial weeds that can choke out the desired forage species. Proper mowing heights and grazing management, if applicable, help suppress unwanted growth and maintain the vigor and density of the hay stand. Monitoring throughout the growing season ensures the field remains high quality.
Harvesting and Curing for Optimal Horse Hay Quality
The timing of the harvest is the most important factor determining the hay’s nutritional value and digestibility. For grasses, the optimal time to cut is during the late vegetative or early boot stage, just before the seed head fully emerges. Cutting at this stage maximizes the leaf-to-stem ratio, resulting in higher protein and energy content while providing sufficient structural fiber.
Once cut, the curing process begins, aiming to reduce the forage’s moisture content quickly and uniformly. The cut hay is typically spread in a wide swath to maximize sun exposure and air circulation. Raking or tedding (mechanically turning the hay) is necessary to expose the underside to the sun and ensure even drying across the entire field. This action must be performed carefully to avoid excessive shattering of the leaves, which contain the majority of the hay’s protein and energy.
The moisture content must be reduced below 15% before baling to prevent mold growth and the risk of spontaneous combustion in storage. Baling hay above this threshold creates an anaerobic environment where microbial activity generates heat, degrading quality and posing a significant fire hazard. Growers use electronic moisture meters to test samples across the field and confirm the hay is safe to bale.
Once baled, the hay must be stored in a dry, well-ventilated location, ideally elevated off the ground. This maintains the low moisture content and prevents mold development from ground moisture. Proper storage preserves the palatability and nutritional integrity that was carefully cultivated in the field. Monitoring the temperature of the hay stack for several weeks after baling is a final safety check against excessive heating.