Can Horse Owners Trust that Attractive Hay Bales Are of Good Quality?
Unfortunately, no! The results of some field studies are alarming. Despite appearing visually appealing, many hay bales tested have been found to be of poor quality.
In 2007, the Agriculture Chamber of North Rhine-Westphalia collected 23 hay samples, and 60% were deemed unfit for feeding. A similar study by LMU Munich showed that only 35% of the hay samples were considered hygienically safe. These findings underline the importance of checking the quality of roughage.
What Does the Term "Hay Quality" Mean?
The term "hay quality" is broad and includes several aspects that are crucial for the health and well-being of the horse:
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Nutritional Value of the Feed
The nutritional value directly impacts the horse's health and performance. Good hay contains all necessary nutrients, such as proteins, vitamins, and minerals. -
Hygienic Status
This refers to the cleanliness of the hay, particularly regarding mold, bacteria, and other microbial contaminants that can be harmful to the horse. -
Microbial Status
The microbial contamination of the hay is an important factor. High bacterial load can lead to health issues for the horse. -
Feed Intake
How well the horse accepts and consumes the hay is also an important indicator of its quality. Excessive dust or foreign objects can impact feed intake.
Factors Affecting Hay Quality
There are many factors that influence the quality of hay, including agricultural practices such as plant variety selection, fertilization, care, and harvest conditions, as well as storage and conservation methods.
Microbiological and Chemical Contaminations
If hay is harvested or stored improperly, microbial contamination can occur. Particularly dangerous are poisonous plants such as ragwort, autumn crocus, or bracken fern, which may be present in the field and affect the hay. Poor storage conditions, like moisture or inadequate ventilation, can also promote mold growth.
Contaminants
Besides poisonous plants and mold, hay can also be contaminated with sand or soil during harvesting. These contaminants can cause gastrointestinal issues in horses. Furthermore, organic fertilizers on pasture fields can compromise hay quality.
Methods for Assessing Hay Quality
Hay quality can be assessed through chemical and microbiological laboratory analyses. In this process, samples are taken and sent to a lab where they are tested for parameters like nutrient content, microbial counts, mycotoxins, and harmful weeds. The results provide a detailed evaluation of the hay's quality, though this process can be expensive and time-consuming.
For horse owners seeking a quicker and more affordable option, a sensory test can be used. This involves assessing the hay's visual, olfactory, and tactile properties. Criteria include:
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Botanical Composition: Good hay should have a diverse mix of plants, including grass species and herbs. A balanced ratio of stems to flowers is important for nutrient content and chewing.
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Dry Matter: To prevent mold growth, hay must be dried to at least 84% dry matter. Excess moisture promotes mold formation. The hay should feel dry and soft with no more than 16% moisture content.
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Smell: Hay should smell fresh and pleasant. If the hay has a musty or moldy odor, it indicates contamination and is unfit for feeding.
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Dust Test: Dust-free hay is important to prevent respiratory diseases. When the hay is shaken, the amount of dust particles that are released can indicate its quality.
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Color: Color is not necessarily an indicator of quality. Hay harvested later in the season or from sunny fields may appear pale, but it can still be perfectly safe. On the other hand, gray hay likely indicates mold contamination and should not be fed to the horse.
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Feed Intake: Horses are selective feeders. If hay is consumed well, it is an indication of good quality. Horses will often avoid hay that is dusty, indicating that they are attempting to avoid harmful particles.
Conclusion
Visual and sensory inspection of hay can help identify basic quality indicators such as foreign objects, spoilage, or mold. However, microbial contamination and mold spores in smaller amounts can be harmful to horses and may not be detectable through visual inspection alone. To assess hay quality accurately, chemical and microbiological analyses are necessary, as they can detect factors such as bacterial load, mold contamination, and nutrient content.
Horse owners are advised to regularly check the quality of their hay and, if in doubt, rely on detailed analyses to ensure the health of their horses.
Source
- Böhnke (2018): Einfluss der Grobfutterqualität und Art der Konservierung auf die Futteraufnahme und Akzeptanz bei Pferden.
Dr. W. Sommer, J. Möllering (2008): Pferdeheu oft mit hygienischen Mängeln
https://www.landwirtschaftskammer.de/landwirtschaft/tierproduktion/pferdehaltung/fuetterung/pferdeheu-2007.htm