DEALING WITH HAY SHORTAGES STRETCHING HAY SUPPLIES

Hay Supplementation Considerations Horse = NON RUMINANT HERBIVORE 1. Gastrointestinal function 2. Behavior

Hay supplementation considerations How much hay is needed? 1. Minimum of 0.75 to 1% in dry matter or hay as fed? Not less than 50% of total diet? 2. Minimum of 24% NDF (13% Crude fiber) or 14% ADF? 3. Does form of hay make a difference? chopped, cubed, pelleted

Relationship of NDF & Crude Fiber Legume hays NDF = (Crude fiber % )/ Grass hays NDF = (Crude fiber % )/ 0.4

Know how much hay you are feeding Weigh hay to make sure it is not less than 0.75% of body weight. Limit time on round bales, i.e. will generally be full 1 to 2 hours AM & PM. Commercial feeds higher than 14% crude fiber, hay can make up 0.5% BW.

Hay – Roughage Substitutes Beet pulp Alfalfa cubes & pellets Soy hulls Haylage Cottonseed hulls Citrus pulp? Complete feeds ** Whatever is substituted make sure chew factor is present.

Beet pulp DE approximately 1.0 Mcal/lb, Crude protein 8-10%, NDF 40.5% Substitute up to 50% of hay.

Alfalfa Cubes & Pellets Remember you are feeding alfalfa. Cubes and pellets are consumed rapidly, chew factor and stem length of concern. Choke concern with pellets. Cubes up to 50% for long stem hay. Pellets up to 25% for long stem hay.

Soy hulls NDF 61%, C.P %, DE Mcal/lb. Booth, et al. replace up to 50% of forage in diet. Recommendation probably no more than 25% as sorting will occur, chew factor concern as no long term studies have been reported.

Cottonseed hulls DE.50 Mcal/lb, C. protein 3.8%, NDF 80%. Maximum of 20% of total diet. Mix with grain or can mix with chopped hay.

Haylage High moisture ensiled hay harvested at 40 – 60% dry matter. Highly acceptable, actually prefer over hay. Slightly more digestible than hay? Disadvantage with wet (high moisture), possibility of spoilage if not fed relatively quickly. Botulism rare but possibility.

Digestible energy comparisons (Hoffman 2004) FeedDE, Mcal/kgDE, Mcal/lb Hay2.15 ± ±.06 Pasture2.49 ± ±.06 Super fibers2.62 ± ±.06 Grains3.71 ± ±.06 CSH diets

Example Diet 1150 pound horse, light work POUNDS/DAY Bermudagrass hay4.90 Beet pulp4.90 Grain mix (10-12% Prot., 5-8% Crude fiber) 9.75

Light work, 1150 pound horse nutrient intake ITEMREQ.INUNITS% REQ.ST D.M intake Lb/day90.88OK D.E Mcal105.49OK C. Protein Grams101.30OK Calcium Grams179.16OK Phosph Grams142.54OK C. Fiber Lbs100OK

Example 2, 1150 pound horse doing light work POUNDS/DAY Bermudagrass hay6.00 Cottonseed hulls4.50 Grain mix (10-12% Protein, 5-8% C. fiber) 10.25

Nutrient intake ITEMREQ.IN.UNITS% REQ.ST D.M. intake Lb/day98.53OK D.E Mcals100.47OK C. Protein Grams95.70Marg Calcium Grams146.94OK Phosp Grams151.48OK C. Fiber Lbs142.92OK

Example 3, 1150 pound horse light work POUNDS/DAY Beet pulp5.00 Whole oats3.50 Cracked corn3.00 Alfalfa pellets2.00 Rice bran1.75 Ration balancer1.50

Nutrient intake ITEMREQ.INUNITS% REQ. ST D.M. intake Lbs/day78.22OK D.E Mcals OK C. Protein Grams100.80OK Calcium Grams213.07OK Phosp Grams200.25OK C. Fiber Lbs.99.41Marg

HELP GARY HEUSNER