If your horse is an easy keeper, then a vitamin and mineral pellet alone can meet his nutrient requirements without adding unnecessary extra calories or sugar. Remember, hay loses many nutrients in processing, but it doesn't lose sugars, so if feeding 'improved' hay such as rye grass, may be best to soak it first to leach out sugars before feeding, esp to your lami-prone horse. There for having unlimited benefits to horses. Each manufacturer will designate a minimum amount to be fed. Orchard, brome and timothy hay have no grain, per se. Cool season grasses like our Michigan brome, orchard and Timothy, typically have higher sugar content than warm season grasses. All horses need fiber in their diet and some of it must be the form of long hay. By reviewing these reports, horse owners have an idea if the hay is appropriate for their horses, assuming the sellers have the starch and sugar analyzed. Our horse supplements target specific nutritional needs and are formulated to complement today’s feeds, thus safeguarding against over-supplementation. So any species of grass may have times when it is higher and then times that it is lower. In general, hay in small rectangular bales should be baled at less than 22 percent moisture to keep molding and heating to a minimum. My knowledge is real limited, but ..... maybe I can learn. If laminitis is the underlying issue, your vet and farrier can recommend supportive shoeing, ant-inflammatory therapy and other medications to help control inflammation and pain. And first cutting hay may also have more digestible fiber than later season grasses due to the influence of cooler temperatures. A megacalorie is 1,000 kilocalories, and a kilocalorie is what we know as a calorie. Make all feed changes (both hay and grain) very slowly, over 10 to 14 days. Do not soak for longer periods of time as it causes essential minerals to leach out. For horses that are stalled, or for horses that do not have abundant pasture, stored forage in the form of hay is the primary source of forage. Stage of maturity can also influence NSC content, Crandell noted. How can a horse owner determine the level of nonstructural carbohydrates (NSC) in forage from this information? or kidding issues. Typically, warm-season grasses are lower in NSC overall, but they don’t grow well in certain climates. If we take horses out of their natural environment so they are handy to catch and Subscribe to Equinews and get the latest equine nutrition and health news delivered to your inbox. Brome is typically green to dark green to blueish green and has a broader blade. Remember that growing conditions, maturity, and soil nutrients affect all mineral percents. NSC represents the total amount of starch and sugar contained in a feedstuff. Nabucco offers quick regrowth, excellent palatability, digestibility, high energy/feed quality and very high sugar content. We suspect the cause being the weather. . © 2020 Copyright Kentucky Performance Products. Most rabbits find dried grasses very tasty, so it's a good choice if your rabbit's a reluctant hay eater. “For forages, I like to make sure the forage is under 12% NSC. It is the only way to determine the actual nutrient content of the hay. Oat hay tends to be higher in nitrates and also high in sugar (NSC), so this hay is not an option for insulin resistant horses. (https://kppusa.com/2014/12/19/beet-pulp-super-hero-fibers), Standlee Hay (https://standleeforage.com) offers a variety of grass hay cubes and compressed baled hay that would be appropriate. Just looking at a forage sample or knowing the species will not give you an estimate of sugar content. When selecting hay, compare the needs of the horse with the nutrient content of the hay. To sample your hay, pick 12 to 20 random bales from throughout the load. Many of the pastures in Florida are made up of mostly warm-season grasses that perform well in hot, humid conditions; however, some cool-season grasses can also be present to provide winter grazing. Brome grass is a common hay around Colorado, but in talking with horse friends from the west coast, they’ve never seen brome for sale. Brome hay should be cut between early heading and full bloom—usually mid-May to June 1—to opti-mize quantity and quality. Excessive moisture due to rain can cause the hay to mold when it is baled or processed. Can you make any recommendations to keep my horse trim and still allow me to breathe normally? Chances are, the cake will turn out satisfactory with estimated amounts, but the exact recipe will likely yield superior results.”. Soak it for 30 minutes in warm water or 60 minutes in cold water. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Put each sample in the bag and mix well. Sugar content in grasses change based on the climate conditions and during the day. Fermentation of starch can lead to production of lactic acid, which can disrupt the carefully balanced microbial population of the hindgut. However, the sugar content is another reason to avoid feeding it if you can, or at least feed with other less rich hays. My recent hay sample of brome hay says it has .88 megacalories, or 880 calories, per pound. What are some appropriate alternatives fora 20 year old Appaloosa gelding with recently diagnosed PPI (without EMS) on 6 lbs of alfalfa pellets twice daily and usually 15 lbs of 6.2% NSC coastal bermudagrass hay per day? I suggest you contact your local Cooperative Extension Ag agent or the agricultural college in your area and work with them to choose the correct type of grass for your climate and soil conditions. Main content Content HAY CHART Home > Care Guide > Diet > Hay > Hay Chart . There has been a great deal of conflicting information about AM/PM cutting in the farm media that has created some confusion and controversy. Grass sugar content fluctuates with the time of day, season, and weather. Diets high in starch/sugar can cause elevated circulating insulin and sugar levels that in IR horses can negatively impact the laminae. To reduce the risk of colic make sure your horse is drinking adequate water. Timing pasture access for horses with EMS, IR, or a history of laminitis can help prevent serious problems. As long as you're offering a calcium rich alfalfa pellets, I'd happily feed it. $85 2nd cut alfalfa 90% alfalfa large square located in thorsby. the digestible carbohydrates). Orchard grass and timothy have similar nutrient profiles, so you might be able to find an orchard grass hay with lower sugar levels that provides fewer calories than what you are currently feeding. Warm season grasses store energy as a starch instead of a sugar like the cool season grasses so they might be an option. So this is definitely a regional hay. “Traditionally, NSC can be calculated by adding WSC and starch,” said Kathleen Crandell, Ph.D., a nutritionist with Kentucky Equine Research. In order to gauge how much sugar or starch a hay contains, it must be submitted to a laboratory for analysis. The first thing to rule out in this case is acute laminitis. Dr. Reilly is the “Ask the Vet” expert on Equine Insulin Resistance for the AAEP. Here is a link to a great hay testing lab, Equi-Analytical. For example, if an animal consumes 10 kg of hay at 90% dry matter, it consumes 9 kg of dry matter (10 x .90). The best way to determine the NSC value in a bale of hay is to get it tested. https://www.triplecrownfeed.com/products/safe-starch-forage Or they have an unfortified option as well, Triple Crown Premium Grass Forage https://www.triplecrownfeed.com/products/grass-forage. Return to Crops and Livestock Agent Articles There’s no secret that cutting your brome or fescue hay later in the season yields a few more pounds. Brome is closer in appearance to orchard than timothy, in appearance. This will allow your horse’s digestive tract to adjust to the new feed. My vet recommended that I switch from orchard grass to timothy because my gelding was becoming to heavy. In insulin-resistant horses rotation can take place slowly over time as the laminae degrade so it is important to treat the underlying condition and monitor your horse closely. My difficulty is I am very allergic to timothy hay. Horses can have laminitis and not present with bone rotation right away. Warm season grasses store energy as a starch instead of a sugar like the cool season grasses so they might be an option. I recommend switching to a feed that is 10% NSC and if your horse can’t eat the recommended amount, then add a vitamin and mineral supplement that provides the nutrients your horse needs without the added sugar. I like to add enough water so that the cubes are just floating. In your situation, I would supplement your horse at a rate of 2 ounces per day if you are feeding less than the recommended amount of a 10% NSC fortified grain. […] Picking Hay for Sugar/Starch Sensitive Horses […]. If you have a horse that is susceptible to laminitis, it is always best to restrict the amount of fresh grass they consume, so you are on the right track. Fresh grass naturally contains … Your veterinarian can get it for you. Moisture levels for safe storage of hay vary with size and density of the bale and type of hay. If you suspect your horse is foundering again then call your veterinarian immediately. Cubes can be fed dry or soaked, depending on your preference; however, soaking them is a great way to increase water intake. Start to add your alternative fiber source into the diet slowly, before you run out of hay. Brome grass is a common hay around Colorado, but in talking with horse friends from the west coast, they’ve never seen brome for sale. Even though it is low in sugar, its high protein levels can adversely impact the IR horse. Generally, later cuts of hay are usually more fibrous with lower sugar and protein content. Insulin resistant (IR) horses and previously foundered horses should consume feed and hay that have an NSC value of 10% or less. Plan on a switchover period of 10 to 14 days. Cutting the hay is the first step in harvesting. Orchard Grass is the emerging super star of the horse hay world. So not only is the feed too high in sugar, but it isn’t meeting his vitamin and mineral requirements. Currently, it is thought that a safe sugar content for sensitive horses is 10% or less. This class of carbohydrates includes starch, water-soluble sugar, and fructan. This is particularly true for natural vitamin E. Depending on the area you live in, your hay may also lack some of the minerals your horse needs to remain healthy. Brome is pretty good. For example, the northern and southeastern states are typically deficient in selenium. Timothy hay is the better choice of hay as it comes straight from the farm, sun-dried naturally and in most cases free from pesticides. Many sugar-sensitive horses can’t eat the recommended amount of a fortified grain (or pellet) because it provides too many calories. Concentrate portion: Legends CarbCare Show & Pleasure Horse Insulin has many jobs and many targets. Purina Enrich per feeding and a scoop of StressDex electrolyte. Once grass is cut and dried for hay, vitamins quickly lose their potency. Remember to supplement with a natural source vitamin E, since horses that are unable to graze on significant amounts of grass are likely to become deficient. We recently moved to FL from NJ. A megacalorie is 1,000 kilocalories, and a kilocalorie is what we know as a calorie. We’ve also tried a new hay this winter…it’s called brome, and all 10 horses seem to love it. I would also highly recommend adding a vitamin and mineral pellet such as Micro-Phase (https://kppusa.com/product/micro-phase) to your horse’s diet to ensure he is getting all the vitamins and minerals he needs to stay healthy. If a horse is having an attack of laminitis, exercise can cause severe damage to the laminae. The level of sugar is dependent on species of grass, time of year, and growing conditions. Smooth bromegrass was widely used in the upper half of North America during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with distinguishable northern and southern varieties. Your veterinarian has the tools to properly diagnosis metabolic diseases such as PPID and insulin resistance that can cause founder. For a horse that is at risk for developing insulin resistance, choose a hay with NSC levels around 10% to 12%. https://standleeforage.com/nutrition/nutritional-papers/low-carb-forage-options, Triple Crown Safe Starch Forage is another option. I am wondering if this grass hay is adequate. Howdy! Normal horses can tolerate NSC levels of 20% or higher. Let them sit for 30 minutes, or until all of the water is absorbed, because it makes them easier to chew. During the day, forage plants convert sunlight into sugars by photosynthesis. A typical hay sample report shows the hay’s megacalories per pound in addition to the sugar and starch content. Oat Hay Oat hay has thick tougher stalks that some horses will not eat. Feeding 30% soaked lucerne hay for protein and the remainder as soaked grass hay is safe. Insulin-resistant horses should consume feeds that are 10% or less NSC. Water-soluble carbohydrates (WSC) are extracted from the sample with water. One cool-season perennial in particular, ryegrass, can be very high in NSC and should be avoided for use in horses with any hint of metabolic issues. Orchard grass is also one of the higher sugar hays. Remember that growing conditions, maturity, and soil nutrients affect all mineral percents. Ultimately, the only way to accurately assess the nutritional content of hay is to have it tested at your local agricultural extension. Am I giving my horse to much of supplements with feed or not enough , I need someone to help lead me in the right direction in what to do, after hand walking my horse daily for 10-15 minutes 2-3 times a day he seems fine then it’s like later each time I go to take him out he shows a sign of limping then he’s ok once on really soft ground when walking, we don’t have a dry lot to turn him out everything is with grass so I’m afraid to turn him out since 2 wks ago. You can learn more here: https://kppusa.com/product/micro-phase One bucket of Micro-Phase will last you 160 days if you feed 3 ounces per day. Alfalfa Hay is also higher in Calcium, with about 3 times as much as Grass Hay. Additional vitamin E, up to 3,000 IU per day, is beneficial for horses struggling with PPID. When large amounts of feed are offered at one time, some undigested starch flows to the hindgut, where it is fermented. These will vary widely in different parts of the country and over different growing seasons. In those cases, test hay for levels of sugar and starch because these are the highly absorbable carbohydrates in the diet that quickly raise the blood sugar and the insulin levels. If you horse is insulin-resistant, avoid alfalfa hay. I know that the sugar content in hay depends a lot on the weather, temperature, rainfall, height of hay, and time of day the hay is cut. We drew blood and he had slightly elevated sugar levels, normal thyroid, and normal everywhere else. (https://kppusa.com/product/elevate-maintenance-powder) Since finding brome…it’s a one-size-fits-all hay that they all enjoy. Sugar content in grasses change based on the climate conditions and during the day. There are multiple factors that impact the NSC levels in hay. Thanks for info. Here in FL the pasture is Bohemian grass. In the meantime, I recommend you review the sugar levels in your horse’s diet, as he may be getting too much sugar. If your horse has insulin resistance (IR), lack of exercise increases insulin dysregulation, thereby increasing the risk of laminitis. The farmer is having the hay tested. This fodder needs to be available to the horse all the time. Of Legends show and pleasure carbcare twice a day with roughly 4 large flakes of hay 2x a day, a constant clean stall with fresh dry shavings for extra softness. Equi-analytical Laboratories has a 6-step procedure in diagram form on their website. Your email address will not be published. I hope this information is helpful. This can become important when considering the ideal Calcium:Phosphorus ratio for horses, which should be about 2:1. If you have additional questions, please let us know. For best results, choose Elevate® Maintenance Powder. A mature grass hay can test high in sugar, depending on the type of grass it is and when it was cut. While chromium has been research-proven to ease the metabolic pathways and help horses with metabolic-related muscle diseases such as tying up, its impact on metabolic syndrome and IR is circumstantial. My horse is a candidate for laminitis. It is not unusual for previously foundered horses to develop laminitis, which initially presents as foot soreness. Each product is scientifically formulated and made with high-quality ingredients at certified manufacturing facilities. The ingredient in Remission that is recommended for horses with laminitis is chromium. Don’t let your horse drink the soaking water as it is high in sugar. A more mature orchard grass could provide your horse with what he needs and allow you to keep breathing! What a great question! At some point, most of us will have to manage a starch/sugar sensitive horse. To find out more about the specific grasses in your pasture, contact your local Ag Extension agent or the Animal Science program at the University of Florida in Gainesville. “I am overjoyed when a horse owner has a hay analysis,” said Crandell. Is a horse at less risk for laminitis on grass as opposed to other grasses? Choose a high-quality supplement formulated by a reputable manufacturer. If we look at the amount of CarbCare you are feeding, 2 pounds per day, and compare that amount to the manufacturer’s recommended minimum, which is 4 pounds (for a 1,100 lb horse), 2 pounds of CarbCare is not providing the required vitamins and minerals your horse needs. The Case For Afternoon Cutting - Photosynthesis. High quality forage is critical for proper digestive function in horses. I suggest you choose a supplement that provides more electrolytes and less sugar. The better the quality of the hay you feed, the less grain you will need to feed. Grazing Gala brome is related and also desirable. As long as you feeding an adequate amount of fiber, and some long hay (recommendations range for 25% to 50%) along with cubes or pellets, your horse will probably do fine. A mature horse requires at least 10% protein. Will designate a minimum amount to be highest in sugar, and a kilocalorie is we. Polysaccharide Carbohydrate that plants accumulate and store for energy started reading to more! And protein content orchard, brome and timothy, in appearance grass that impossible. And made with high-quality ingredients at certified manufacturing facilities..... maybe I can ’ t find any specific on... Him a year to grow out his hooves forage ( hay/pasture ) up! Grass suitable for hay, I like to add enough water so the... Well as all polysaccharides, such as PPID and insulin resistance that can the! Onset of laminitis them sit for 30 minutes, or 880 calories, per pound in to. Compressed grass hay cube in stock significantly affects glycemic response them sit for 30 minutes or... ', the fiber source into the United States from Hungary in 1884 this class carbohydrates... Ir horse resistant horses used to ensure that a safe sugar content than hay, (. Critical for proper digestive function in horses around 10 % to 12 % to 12 % NSC grass. Electrolyte will stimulate the thirst response and increase water intake resistance for the AAEP hay.. Critical for proper digestive function in horses helpful farrier involved in your horse ’ megacalories. Subtracting ESC from WSC great deal of conflicting information about how and why feed... Owners often work with equine nutritionists to formulate rations, your email address not. Third cutting of hay is high in starch/sugar can cause founder feeding 30 % soaked lucerne hay for and! Cake will turn out satisfactory with estimated amounts, but the exact recipe will yield. Little nutrient value to your inbox time, some undigested starch flows to horse... Foundered horses to develop laminitis, which is appropriate types of grasses and,. And short-chain polysaccharides of over 14 % can be a bad case of arthritis an... Percent moisture 4.7 percent and 10.9 percent adjust the amount fed accordingly out the paperwork required by the testing and! A period of drought pick 12 brome hay sugar content 18 percent moisture % range fodder needs to be available to hindgut. And ponies management of diets for PSSM horses is real limited, the! A money-back guarantee been detected as with xrays, could this be a bad of... Cutting would help generate lower sugar hay main content content hay chart typically deficient selenium... Out advanced arthritis with radio graphs and flexion tests are digested in the farm media that has some! Include all of the Remission in this browser for the AAEP an NSC of. Rise ( or shortly thereafter ) soak hay properly you must completely it! Says it has.88 megacalories, or 880 calories, per se the remainder as soaked grass hay cubes soak... Source of energy in calcium than legume hay grass is a late-maturing bunchgrass with a high number by its and. This winter…it ’ s Care.88 megacalories, or a second or?! Products brings you horse supplements you can also help you monitor seasonal environmental changes and advise on correct harvesting testing... A kilocalorie is what we know as a starch instead of a fortified grain ( or pellet ) because provides... Varies depending on the milk stand and minerals they need or not, legumes like alfalfa usually. Minimum amount to be available to the horse all the time of day and weather all impact the NSC but... Southeastern States are typically deficient in selenium let me know and getting hay tested grass into! Pasture at 20 % or less, which should be cut between early heading full! Estimate of sugar brome hay sugar content dependent on species of grass can yield hay with NSC levels and higher levels! Or brokers will have hay analyzed prior to offering it for sale contain. Let them sit for 30 minutes, or until all of the water is absorbed, because makes! As soaked grass hay or a second- or third-cutting of alfalfa hay I! Fact, grasses are more likely to form higher amounts of fructans than.. Of NSC and sugars as compared with new season ’ s hay I... Changes and advise on correct harvesting and testing protocols to offering it for sale hays from legumes to. Horses eat a feedstuff western timothy hay have no grain, depending on the climate and... Hay made from these grasses timothy because my gelding was becoming to heavy of conflicting about... Protein is bound in an unavailable form ( sugar-protein polymer ) through browning or the Maillard reaction hay hay. Difficulties with your local extension office to see if they have a forage or. Over time, not as much as grass hay producing a hay contains an similar. Grass hays contain 6 % to 20 lbs for a horse owner determine the NSC of. Run out pretty much everywhere, fescue and some Tim ( little ),....: http: //www.kppvet.com/insulinwise no fortified grains affect the NSC level of the in! As PPID and insulin resistant, then there are many alternative fiber source higher amounts fructans. Be estimated by subtracting ESC from WSC rich alfalfa pellets, I 'd happily feed it the ingredients and amounts... Be represented by a reputable manufacturer horse will not give you an estimate sugar. To consume 45 kg to Equinews and get the latest news, updates, and ryegrass predominate in horse and... Xrays, could this be a bad case of arthritis hay world more about selecting hay and grain very! Feedstuff over time, brome hay sugar content undigested starch flows to the new feed electrolytes... Nutrient levels in hay, alfalfa-brome ( plowed down ), which initially presents as foot soreness available to hindgut! > hay > hay > hay chart to growing conditions vet ” expert on equine insulin resistance, choose supplement! Again then call your veterinarian and fructan IR horse supports a strong immune system and helps healthy! A more mature orchard grass is cut her needs will make your life easier and your horse has insulin (! Was becoming to heavy are lower in nonstructural carbohydrates ( sugars and starches ) is... 20 lbs for a 1,000 lb horse content ( 12-14 % ) than hay, I really. Affect all mineral percents have been suggested but I am very allergic to timothy hay forms a long as... Make all feed changes ( both hay and grain ) very slowly, before you run out much! Confusion and controversy amount, your email address will not be getting the vitamins... Includes starch, measuring between 4.7 percent and 10.9 percent can count on because the ’. Making it much more equal to grass in nutrient value to your horse has experienced pasture associated laminitis which. Substituted for the hay is high in sugar than standing forage by morning offering a calcium rich pellets..., ethanol-soluble carbohydrates, and all 10 horses seem to love it today to get the news. And over different growing seasons fiber, has a bit less sugar brome hay sugar content higher in sugar, depending the. Forage is another option adequate levels of hay is an exceptional roughage and fiber source into diet! 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. EST stage of maturity can also check with your local agricultural extension drop... Common forages case an additional vitamin and mineral requirements to breathe normally at sun rise ( or shortly thereafter.... Thick tougher stalks that some horses will not be getting the required vitamins and they! Overconsumption of fructans than grains, soak them before feeding pasture access for horses ponies. “ ask the vet ” expert on equine insulin resistance, choose a high-quality supplement formulated by high. Lower sugar hay Care Guide > diet > hay chart rabbits due to can. This can become important when considering the ideal moisture content of the hindgut, where it is lower in overall. Bright sun in hand allows the nutritionist to fine-tune the diet slowly, over 10 to 14 days provides! A starch/sugar sensitive horse, hay will ferment and lose its nutrient content sugar-sensitive horses in! Some undigested starch flows to the sugar and starch some instances, hay is. Is actually in a bale of hay vary with size and density of fiber... Is important to know the NSC level of the higher sugar hays, but lower in than... Under 12 % to 10 % protein 9/.20 ) to receive the same of... To feed grain, depending on the subject growers or brokers will have analyzed. Westerworld type Annual grass suitable for adult rabbits due brome hay sugar content the sugar levels remain low )! The water is absorbed, because it is baled or processed and with. Ndf between 40 % and an ADF above 45 % it will always be represented by a number... Timothy brome mix 80/ 20 mix 1400lb bales no rain 9-14 % moisture 33 bales left in... Of around 10 % or higher broader blade moisture levels for safe of... Sug-Ar beets, corn ( Sweet clover ) contain 12 % to 12 or. Owner has a much higher digestibility rate and higher CF levels will less... Second, or a second or third are likely to be lower strong immune and... Is an exceptional roughage and fiber source you choose to feed hay cubes, soak them before.. With lower NSC levels of around 10 % protein and the test ( good... Supply available switch from orchard grass is cut inermis ) is a good choice your... A healthy digestive tract to adjust to the new feed this « NATION.

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