Hay in the Lower Valley is being improved to accommodate cattle but presents challenges to our equine friends.  The problem is a high SUGAR content which will cause founder and obesity.  Some hay farmers are using liquid chicken manure on hay fields.  This practice of growing hay will expose our horses to deadly bacteria like salmonella.  This type of hay is more of a threat than grain (protein).

If you want to get your hay tested contact:

Ritchie Smith

33777 Enterprise Avenue,

Aldergrove, BC

604-859-7128

rsfeeds@rsfeeds.net

 

Otter Co-op

 248th Avenue

Aldergrove, BC

604-856-2517

admin@otter-coop.com

The Hay Exchange may be of interest to some of you.  The website features multi-states hay listing along with prices per bale.

• combination of legumes and grasses

• grasses offer a high matter intake and earlier spring and later fall grazing than legumes

• legumes develop a thick turf which discourages weeds and are higher in protein and minerals and provide higher production

• grasses reduce digestive upsets

Fertilizing

• always test the soil prior to planting the seeds

• legumes and grasses extract water, nitrogen, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and potassium out of the soil

• an application of commercial fertilizer will be required even though the manure will give back some of the above noted minerals

Rotation

• do not graze horses until new growth is about 10cm (3.94 inches) high.  If the length is lower than 5cm (1.97 inches) do not graze horses.

Mowing

• control fence line weeds by cutting or spraying

• persistent weeds such as buttercup may need to be sprayed with a herbicide.

Harrowing

• expose the parasites and their eggs to the heat of the sun by harrowing or dragging the pasture

• the best program for parasite control is an integrated approach of properly timed harrowing and manure removal.

Water Control

• drain the water from the pasture as this is a mosquito and weed haven

Alfalfa

• horses are very selective in what they eat, hence, alfalfa hay is well accepted by horses

• when fed on the ground, 25% of the nutrients are ground into the dirt

• alfalfa hay is one of the best sources of protein.  A good protein is then turned into energy for our equine partners

• second cut hay of pure alfalfa has protein levels exceeding 18%.

• if your horse has kidney problems it may have difficulty excreting the higher levels of nitrogen found in alfalfa.

Grass Hay

• generally consists of one or more of timothy, brome grass, fescue, (I have fed fescue myself and it caused diarrhea in my horse), perennial rye, Kentucky bluegrass and orchard grass

• timothy is the traditional grass of horses and is easy to cure

• fescues have seed borne fungus which can extend gestation length of pregnant mares which will result in weak and dying foals.

• bluegrasses have shallow root development and therefore, have poor growth in the heat

As horse owners we need to know:

• the different grasses and legumes

• when a hay is high or low in protein and energy

• which hay should be fed to young growing horses and which hay should be fed to the non-active pleasure horse

• good indications of quality is NOT if the hay is free from dust and is green in colour.

If the hay has been cut from a properly prepared field, weeds and poisonous plants are not a problem.

 

For more information on weeds and poisonous plants ~ Government of BC Factsheets

 

 

Cloud 9 Horse Care

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