Forage Quality II: Quality ofHorse HayC. Norman McGlohonProgram Development CoordinatorANR NE District

Quality: Horse or Owner????

OwnerLimiting factor:PerceptionKnowledgeExperience

Intelligence is normally not a limiting factor.

Where do buyers of horse hay get their information? FriendsVeterinarianFarrierTrainerBoarding Stable OperatorsTV ShowsPopular Press Articles published outside the SE.

State of MindAnthropomorphism = to ascribe or give human attributes

If you take a horse out of its natural environment and treat it like a human, then it creates stress, illness, unsettledness ..

What are the owners looking for?Color OdorTextureVariety Alfalfa vs Grass Fescue vs BermudaWeedsPrice

What Mistakes Do They Make?They smell it, taste it, touch it and dont know what is in it.

Approximate digestible energy values of hays for horses

HAYCRUDE PROT. %NDF %CRUDE FIBER %DIGEST. ENERGY MCAL/LBDIGEST ENERGY KCAL/LBAlfalfa20< 30< 231.21200Alfalfa16-1830-4724-281.11100Alfalfa< 1547281.01000Bermudagrass12< 65< 300.9 900Bermudagrass8-1266-7231-350.8 800Bermudagrass< 772350.7 700Fescue12< 65< 260.95 950Fescue7-1266-7027-300.83 830Fescue< 770300.75 750Orchardgrass12< 60< 260.99 990Orchardgrass7-1260-6526-300.85 850Orchardgrass< 765300.75 750

What is the horse looking for?Quality: Based on their activity or maturity classQuantity: Based on their size and age.

Is it good enough?http://nrc88.nas.edu/nrh/Animal RequirementsDietary Supply

Quantity

CLASS OF HORSEDAILY FEED INTAKE(% OF BODY WEIGHT)RELATIVE FORAGE QUALITY (RFQ)Maintenance1.5-2.0%75 or greaterGestating mare1.5-2.0%80 or greaterLactation2.0-3.0%90 or greaterGrowing (weanlings)2.25- 3.25%100 or greaterWork (performing)1.75- 3.25% 100 or greaterStallions (non breeding)1.5-2.0%75 or greaterStallions breeding1.75-2.5%80 or greater

Other Issues A Producer Can AddressSeasonal SalesThey dont think about buying it till they need itThey have limited storage.DeliveryBale Size

One point to remember:Stage of maturity at harvestColicBehaviorPalatability QualityPrice

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