Thursday, December 29, 2011

Equine: Hay is For Horses Too

A Conservation Education Initiative of Tri -County/City Soil and Water Conservation District
Journal
by John Howe, Extension Agent, Animal Science, Virginia Cooperative Extension
Tri-County/City Soil and Water Conservation District
Fredericksburg, Virginia ONSER VATIO N
Hay is for horses. Horses are a grazing species and
pasture and hay should be the major component of their
diet. A visual inspection and a chemical analysis of hay are
two methods that can be used to evaluate hay. A visual
inspection of hay includes evaluating quantitative
characteristics and requires the sense of smell as well as
sight. A visual inspection of hay includes; color, aroma, signs
of mold and dust, and the amount of leaves, stems and seed
heads.
The ideal color of hay is bright green. Hay cut at the
correct stage of maturity, baled without being rained on or
exposed to long periods of the sun will have a nice green
color. Beige and brown colors indicate hay that has been
bleached or exposed to the leaching effects of rain. Weeds
can contribute to a greener appearance but do not add to
the nutritional value and can reduce the palatability of hay.
Color is not a good indicator of nutritive value. Hay should
have a pleasant aroma. A musty smell is an indication of
mold or heating after harvesting and during storage. Molds
and the heating of hay during storage can cause hay to be
dusty, which can lead to respiratory problems in horses and
in some cases permanent lung damage.
Leaves contain the highest level of digestible nutrients in plants commonly used for hay. Two
factors affect the amount of leaves in harvested hay: the stage of maturity, and moisture levels
when the hay is baled. As forage plants mature, the amount of stems and seed heads increase and
the amount of leaves is reduced. Hay baled at the ideal moisture range of 17 to 20% will retain
more leaves than very dry hay. When hay is too dry, leaves shatter, fall off and are lost in the
baling process.
The amount of leaves compared to stems and seed heads is a sign of the stage of maturity at
harvest. Leaves contain highly digestible plant sugars, starches and protein. Stems contain lignin
and cellulose which are hard to digest. As the forage plants mature the level of digestible nutrients
decrease. The more leaves present in hay the more likely the hay will contain a greater level of
digestible nutrients. The appearance of seed heads and mature flowers indicate that the hay was
mature when harvested and that the nutritive value will be lower than less mature hay.
How does this apply to the horse or horses that you own? The answer depends on the horse
needs based on age, work requirements, growth, gestation and lactation and the quality of hay. As
grazing animals horses have adapted to using forages as their primary source of nutrition. A horse
can consume 1 to 2% of its body weight in dry matter. Dry matter is a measure, by weight, of how
much hay or grain remains after all moisture is removed. For example, a 50- pound bale of hay at
85% dry matter would have 42.5 pounds of dry matter. A 1,200 pound horse could eat 12 to 24
pounds of dry matter every day.
A horse needs 1% of its body weight in long-stem dry matter (hay) to maintain digestive
functions. The cecum and colon makeup 65% for the digestive capacity in a horse and they contain
a microbial population which helps digest fibrous feeds much like the rumen in cattle or sheep. In
addition to maintaining good digestive function the feeding of adequate quantities of hay help
reduce behavioral problems such as wood chewing and cribbing.
We should use hay first to meet the horses' nutritional needs and supplement with grain,
vitamins and minerals. At a minimum, hay or pasture should provide 50% of the dry matter part of
the diet. In many cases 100% of the horse's requirement can be met with hay.
The highest quality hay is not necessary for all horses. A mature horse that has a light or no
work demand can do very well on mid-maturity grass hay or mid to late maturity alfalfa hay. These
stages of maturity can be used to satisfy the dry matter intake requirement or in other words
satisfy the horse's appetite while meeting the nutrient requirements.
Nutrient requirements increase for horses with a heavy work load, during late pregnancy and
lactation and for young growing horses. These horses need higher quality forages to meet their
nutritional demands. Early maturity alfalfa and timothy hays are ideal for these horses. Grain
supplementation may be required depending on the nutritional demands of the individual horse and
quality of hay available.
Fescue hay is commonly available and can be fed to horses. It is true that most fescue hay
available in Virginia contains the endophyte fungus which can cause foaling problems and lack of
milk production. The adverse affect of the endophyte can be over come by not feeding fescue hay
or pasture during the last 90 days of pregnancy. For other horses fescue and fescue blends are
acceptable forage sources.
Hay that has been stored for more than one year will retain most of its energy, protein and
mineral content. The longer hay is stored the dryer it may become. As hay dries in storage it can
become more brittle which can result in higher leaf loss so more hay may be wasted in the
transportation and feeding processes. Also, the dust factor may increase with long-term storage.
Hay is in short supply this year, and horse owners who can only purchase and store a limited
amount of hay are handicapped. While it may be too late this year to increase storage capacity, in
the long run having the space to store a winters feeding of hay may be beneficial. A ton of hay
takes about 200 cubic feet of storage space. An 1,100 pound horse consuming 2% of its body
weight in hay will require 3 tons of hay in 9 months. This would require a 10 ft by 10 ft storage
space 7 ft tall.
Is chemical analysis to determine the nutritive value of hay worth the cost and effort? A
chemical analysis is the only way to determine the nutritive value of hay. The visual inspection is
informative but does not provide any absolute information on the nutritive value. A chemical
analysis of a large quantity of hay from the same field harvested and baled at the same time is a
valuable tool in planning a feed ration. For the horse owners making frequent purchases of small
amounts of hay that are not harvested from the field at the same time -- the time, effort, and cost
may outweigh any benefit. It takes time to gather representative samples, ship the samples to the
lab, and have the results returned to the owner.
Some final thoughts about evaluating and purchasing horse hay. When you can inspect the hay
prior to purchase, look for hay that has good color and aroma, lots of leaves from forage species,
avoid musty and dusty hay and discriminate against weeds and overly mature hay. Purchase hay
from a reliable supplier. Consider expanding storage capacity to enable the advance purchase of
large hay quantities and avoid hoof to mouth purchases.
Tri-County/City Soil and Water Conservation District
1802 Augustine Ave, Fredericksburg, VA 22401
Visit us on the web: http://tccswcd.vaswcd.org
(540) 656-2401- Fax your request to (540) 656-2403 or email: ellen.schwartz@vacoxmail.com
For more information on equine forage and grazing, please contact John Howe at
http://offices.ext.vt.edu/view.cfm?webname=spotsylvania&section=our_extension_staff&pid=jhowe

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Which hay is best for the money?

You decide!                      We have 4x4  Fescue that is $29 per bale fob the barn.

                               We have 4X5 Orchard Fescue that is $39 per bale fob the farm.


4X5 Orchard Fescue @ $39 We can load 42 of these on a 53 ft trailer and they
are said to weigh about 825lbs or so by our customers.

4X4 Fescue @ $29 We can haul 50 of these on a 53 ft trailer and they are
said to weigh 685 lbs or so by this driver who had 46 on this 48 ft trailer below.

Doing the math based upon the above information:
50 bales x 685lbs = 34,250 lbs and 50 times $29 = $1450 Cost of a load of 4X4 Fescue.
42 bales X 825lbs = 34, 650 lbs  and 42 times $39 = $1638 Cost of a load of 4X5 Orchard Fescue.
Trucking is $2.35 per mile for a 53 trailer. @ 1000 miles = $2350 per load
Then the trucking cost of 50 bales of 4x4 = $47 per bale trucking
And the trucking cost of 42 bales of 4X5 = $55.95 per bale trucking.
Total cost of a 4X4 for a 1000 miles = $29 plus $47 = $76 per bale.
Total cost of a 4X5 for a 1000 miles = $39 plus $55.95 = $94.95 per bale.
By what we have been told from truckers concerning what these bales weigh the 4X4 is the best bale for the money.  We are not saying these bales will average what is shown here but enter this information based upon trusted sources that have hauled our hay and ran the scales and others that are using the hay.

Call Al 210-782-9055 or Ken 423-943-2847 to order or for more information. 

Lipan Texas Bound!

Call your order now 210-782-9055 or 423-943-2847

Horse Hay to Midland!

                                         34 Bales on a 48 ft trailer.
                                         The best for the west!
                                         He is truly on the road to Midland, Texas.
                                         Many will want some of this hay between here and there.

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Study long Study wrong! Here goes another load...

The Hay Train is Leaving  All Aboard!

                                         South Texas Bound 40 bales on a 48' trailer!
                                       Some of the best cow hay in the round!
                                         The time is now to call for a load of this hay!
This is where they were!  We have some more over the hill but I would not study too much longer about calling Al @ 210-782-9055 or Ken @ 423-943-2847 if you want some good hay this winter. 

Horse Hay at its best!

Order yours now!
                                     Green Orchard Timothy @ $6.50 fob this barn.
                                      Another 560 bales on their way to Texas! 
Call Al 210-782-9055 Ken 423-943-2847

Monday, December 26, 2011

Arkansas Horse Hay! 560 Bales Fayetteville bound!

                                         Orchard Timothy @ $6.50 per bale fob barn.  Green!
                                         It is a long way into this 53 ft trailer..
                                         It holds several wagon loads!
                                         Had to bring it out where the truck would stand up.
                                          Wagon after Wagon and the horses will love it.
Who ever wants the next truck load of 560 Orchard Timothy Horse Hay small squares call Al 210-782-9055 or Ken at 423-943-2847 while they last.  Two truck loads are going to Central Texas!  First load loads 12/27/11 at 10 AM. 

Friday, December 23, 2011

Hico Bound 4X5 Net Wrapped!

Call the cows here they come!
                                        40 bales loaded in a tight spot with the ground wet.
                                        Tool box on trailer kept us from stacking 42.
                                        We pushed em up as much as possible
                                         Legal and ready to put on the straps.  
Ring around the edges but look at the hay inside.

Loads for Madisonville and South Texas!

                                        The load above went to Madisonville, Texas!
                                        This load is one of 8 going to South Texas.
The hay from this barn has all been loaded and is on the way to a South Texas ranch that has already ordered six more truck loads from another location.  Get yours now call Al 210-782-9055 or Ken 423-943-2847.  4X5 Barn hay is now $44 per bale.  4X4 barn hay is $34 per bale.  4X4 hay under the tarp is now $29 per bale.  4X5 Net Wrapped hay outside is still $39 per bale.   The rain is for sure slowing us down getting into some locations where we still have hay.   Your order needs to be on the board when it is dry enough to load and we have a truck available.   Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the White House Farms.

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Horse Quality Orchard Timothy Small Squares @$6.50 fob barn.

                                         1680 were sold today!  3 More loads and they are gone!
                                         Show your horse this and listen!  He will speak!
Get your group together and order now if you want some of these.  If you have your own truck & trailer come and get em at $6.50 per bale fob barn.  These will not last long.  560 per 53 ft trailer load.  Call Al 210-782-9055 or Ken 423-943-2847 to get on the loading board.                                                                            

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

We have the hay for today!

                                          How long will this last?  It is your call.
                                         They are all lined up and ready to be loaded up!
                                          Order now while we can get into this field.
2011 Orchard Fescue Net Wrapped @$39 per bale while they last.  Over 500 bales when we started loading here.   Some of the best cow hay we know of in these parts.  Call Al now 210-782-9055 for delivery cost to your farm or business.  All hay is subject to prior sale.

Monday, December 19, 2011

Horse Hay to Texas!

This hay is going to Hico!
Get it while it last! 
                                         38 Bales of Orchard Timothy Horse Hay!
                                          From the inside of the bale. 
Call Al 210-782-9055 or Ken 423-943-2847

Sunday, December 18, 2011

This Hay is coming out of the barn this week!

First three loads to Madsonville, Texas!
                                         Here is a close up below! 
                                         Out of the Barn Orchard Fescue now $44 fob barn.
Winter is coming!  Order Now!
Call Al 210-782-9055 or Ken 423-943-2847
We have a few more in the barn...
Follow us on face book at Whitehouse Farms.

Friday, December 16, 2011

Trucks to Texas!

                                          McKinney Bound with Outside Orchard Timothy.
                                         These measure 4X5.6 for some reason only 38 will fit.
                                         Yoakum Bound with 50 4X4 Fescue!                                   
 
                                          These are 4X4 right on the mark!  $29
                                      50 Bales on the 53 trailer. Loader here has less reach                                        
                                          44 will fit on sit on some trailers with this loader.
                                          Salado Bound and this barn is nearly gone!  Call now!
                                        Yeap even in the barn some have to sit on the ground.
                                          42 packing up for Salado.
                                          These bales are full. 
                                          McKinney bound truck again.  Outside hay.
                                        We can do 44 with some trailers.  This is Tyler Bound!
                                         
The rush is on in the hay patch!  Some still in the barn but call now while they last.
Al 210-782-9055 or Ken 423-943-2847  Follow us on face book at White House Farms
email hay@loveamericaback.com
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