OK we all know that there is a possibility of a hay shortage this year, so there are articles coming out about what to do about it. Here is one Horse owners find ways to stretch limited hay supplies By Kylene Orebaugh that I read today and actually I am disgusted with the expert from Colorado State University Karen Hansen. Here’s the first quote that I take issue with and let me say before I put my foot in my mouth this may not be her fault I have been misquoted and misinterpretted when giving interviews so I guess I am taking issues with the quotes. OK here we go -

“Alfalfa is a good forage type for horses because it is nutrient-dense; that is, it has a high concentration of nutrients such as protein, digestible energy and calcium compared to other forages,” Karen Hansen with the Equine Science Department at Colorado State University said. “Due to the nutrient density of alfalfa hay and processed alfalfa (cubes and pellets), this forage must be fed with good management skills to prevent overfeeding and possible digestive disorders.”

First things first Alfalfa is NOT a good forage for horses, for dairy cows sure for horses NO. It is acceptable for it to be in combination with other grass hays and for performance horses it helps in their weight maintenance. However I prefer a 25% or less alfalfa in the mixture. Why? Overfeeding and digestive disorders are only the start, how about urinary tract problems, and respiratory problems from the increase in Ammonia levels that need to be excreted when feeding alfalfa hay. Barns that are feeding alfalfa are easy to notice when you first walk into them – the smell can bring a tear to your eye especially in winter with the barn doors closed.

Now she does state a generic acceptable premise that horses should be fed at least 1% of their bodyweight each day in good, clean, long-stemmed (hay) forage per day. Just remember the “long-stemmed” part for a second.

She recommends pelleted and/or cubed hay or even a complete ration with forage in it as alternative sources for hay. I understand in a hay shortage you have to do what you have to do but she states …

Pelleted or cubed hay is usually a standardized good quality forage that is just put in another form compared to baled hay… Pelleted and cubed hay may be a good alternative if available in a producer’s area, and may be affordable.

No and No. A horse REQUIRES a 2 inch minimum forage length to maintain proper digestion and bacterial count in their digestive tract. If it is less than this length many behavioral problems begin to appear such as wood chewing, cribbing, chewing off tails and destroying trees. The reason is two fold – one the horse will feel less full. Fiber of less than 2 inches in length are quicker to digest leaving the horses intestinal tract feeling empty most of the day. Second, it can produce a condition in the intestinal tract called acidosis which has a negative effect on the bacteria which then produces an increase in digestive upset, ie colic.

Lastly she says here about complete feeds -

Complete feeds which often contain a mixture of grains and roughage sources, and are designed to be fed without hay. It should contain at least 15 percent fiber if no hay is fed, but nutritionists do not recommend no hay being fed. Horses must have forage.

Yes the reason that nutritionists do not recommend no hay being fed is the long-stemmed 2 inches or greater fiber requirement. Hay cubes are acceptable if they meet this requirement however most of the time they are chopped smaller than 2 inches.

Here is an article from Purdue that supports my case..Selecting Quality Hay for Horses by Mark A. Russell, Department of Animal Sciences and
Keith D. Johnson, Department of Agronomy

Off my soapbox and my apologies if certain parts of the interview were left out or if Karen Hansen was misquoted.