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Feeding Hay to
Older Horses
(More
information on hay and forage)
Most equine senior feeds are described as
"complete feeds." The term "complete feed" implies that a
horse can maintain good health on that feed alone. While there
are some Toothless Wonders that are physically unable to eat
anything but a soaked complete feed, all horses require roughage to
maintain optimal gut function and good health.
Insufficient roughage is a common cause of soft droppings in elderly
horses. Many dentally
challenged horses live happily for years on a diet of only "complete
feeds," but there is nothing like good ol' roughage to keep things
moving along in a healthy manner.
The most common sources of roughage for horses
are pasture and baled hay, although beet pulp, alfalfa or hay cubes,
and bagged chopped forage are viable options in many circumstances.
For horses just beginning to experience dental
problems, choice of hay and the manner in which it is presented can
mean the difference between eating the hay or "quidding" (wadding
the hay into balls, then spitting it out.) First cutting grass
hays and alfalfa hays are usually quite coarse and stemmy.
Second cutting grass hays are generally very leafy, with few stalks
or seed heads, and easier to chew.
When serving hay to elders, it sometimes helps to
"shake out" the flakes or books. A loose pile of individual
strands allows a horse to pick up smaller mouthfuls than a compacted
hay flake permits. (One disadvantage, however, to loose hay
piles is their tendency to travel long distances on windy days.
Choose a sheltered location when possible.)
Placement of hay can be very important when
feeding several horses in one field. Divide the hay into more
portions than there are horses, and place the portions several horse
lengths apart. Appropriate spacing of enough hay piles ensures
that timid or weak horses will have access to their share.
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The horses shown grazing above have
voluntarily chosen approximately three body lengths each as their
comfort zones. Placing hay portions in a comparable pattern
ensures all three can eat in comfort.
In this photograph, the two
mares on the left are young, dominant animals who are very
comfortable with each other. The mare on the right is
a more timid elderly animal. She needs a greater space
around her to eat in a relaxed manner. (Note the
loosely piled hay as mentioned above.) |
Spacing numerous hay piles some distance apart has a
second benefit. It allows horses to mimic the meandering fashion
in which they graze. Horses wander from one pile of hay to another
just as they wander from one patch of grass to the next. It is
unnatural for a horse to stand in one spot to eat for long periods of
time. The horse's digestive system evolved to serve an animal "on
the move," and functions best when he is allowed generous opportunity to
perform that movement at will.
More
information on hay and forage
Choosing Hay for Horses - University of Kentucky
Evaluating Hay For Horses: Myths and Realities
Forage Information
System - Oregon State University - information on species,
varieties, grazing, hay, and silage systems, management, quality and
testing, and livestock utilization.
Frequently Asked
Questions about Hay - Extension.org
Graze
Aanatomy - Handling horses on a small acreage
Hay for the Surburban Pleasure Horse -University of Illinois
Extension
Healthy Land and Healthy Horses -smallfarm.org "Yes, it is
possible to have too many horses if you have limited land."
How To
Select Quality Hay - NC State University Cooperative Extension
Managing Fescue for Horses - University of Arkansas
Managing Forages and Horses - University of Illinois Extension
SaferGrass.org
Selecting Quality Hay for Horses - Purdue University
Timothy
Hay for Horses - Canadian Hay Association
Trends in Horse Hay
Using
Forage Analysis Reports - NC
State University Cooperative Extension
NOTE: Material presented by
Traveller's Rest Equine Elders Sanctuary on equineelders.org or in any
other manner is for information purposes only. It is in no way
intended to replace the services or advice of your veterinarian. |
