Hay is the basis of your horse’s diet, but do you know what to look for when you’re evaluating your horse’s hay? Here are some characteristics to consider.

Color and Feel

When you’re evaluating your hay, take note of the color and feel. The hay should still have a greenish color to it, but shouldn’t have a fresh green appearance. The hay should feel dry, should be relatively free of dust, and should still have a good amount of leaves. Hay should smell sweet, not like mold or mildew.

Sunlight Bleaching

If hay has been left to sit in the sun for too long, you may observe areas of sunlight bleaching on the bale where the hay’s color has turned from green to a yellowish brownish tinge. Sunlight bleaching strips the hay of nutrients, so avoid buying any hay where sunlight bleaching is apparent.

Weeds or Sticks

Good hay should be relatively free of weeds and sticks. Depending on what age the hay was harvested at, weeds and sticks may be prevalent. This can affect the hay’s quality, and some horses may not like to pick through dense sticks in the hay. Additionally, some weeds can be poisonous to horses. If you’re choosing the hay you purchase, stay away from hay with too many weeds and sticks.

Mold

Mold is a common issue with hay. When mold occurs the hay has usually been cut and baled when it was too wet. This moisture trapped inside the bale leads to mold.

Moldy hay is dangerous on many fronts. Moldy hay can make horses sick if ingested, and hay that is moldy is also typically very dusty, which may irritate horses with sensitive respiratory systems. Additionally, as hay molds it builds up heat. If moldy hay is stored in a barn, it has the potential to get so hot that it catches fire, making moldy hay a serious barn fire hazard.

Insects

If you’re feeding alfalfa hay, it’s important to check each bale for the presence of blister beetles. If ingested, these beetles can be toxic to horses. Blister beetles have a long abdomen, a black body, and some feature a silver line down the middle of their backs. If you see blister beetles in the hay, do not feed it to your horses.

It’s important to carefully evaluate any hay that you feed to your horse. Keeping an eye out for potential issues in your hay can help you to prevent hay-related medical issues in your horse.

Original Source: What You Should Look for in Your Horse's Hay