spotty_pony
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Hi, not sure if this is the right place to post this but are there any Equine Nutritionists/Scientists on here? I need to speak to one about mixed views to do with haylage.
Thanks
Thanks
Equine Nutritionists/Equine Scientists
- Thread starter spotty_pony
- Start date
arwenplusone
Well-Known Member
Equine Scientists? You have to get someone to admit to that first.
Seriously, what's the question?
Seriously, what's the question?
spotty_pony
...
Basically, without going into too much detail there are mixed views between people I know about the amount of haylage/hay which should be fed overnight. They seem to think it is ok to leave them with a little bit of hay/haylage at about 8pm and once have finished this (about an hour later) that is it until morning ... I have always been told to feed ad lib hay/haylage as a horse can get colic if it does not have enough fibre. This person who said this was ok also said horses sleep most of the night anyway ... I was sure they didn't sleep constantly all night
What are your views on this?
What are your views on this?
arwenplusone
Well-Known Member
I think most people on here would say that ad-lib hay is best unless you re restricting the diet.
You can work out how much your horse will eat compared to his weight etc and depending on how much work he is doing, what % of that should be forage (PM if you want the calculations) but tbh, ad lib is the best way forwards.
A horse is unlikely to get colic as a result of not having hay but as they are 'trickle feeders' eating little and often, it is better to have constant supply to keep the system working& healthy bacteria in the gut happy.
In the wild, horses would graze all day long so we should try and replicate that.
I feed all of mine as much as they will eat overnight. Usually I have some left in the morning - if not then i put a bit more in!
So, in short, you are right (sorry - I rambled a bit).
Oh and it is worth remembering that haylage has a higher water content /is less dense so you need to feed more of it than you do hay, to get the right amount of fibre.
Hope I helped!
You can work out how much your horse will eat compared to his weight etc and depending on how much work he is doing, what % of that should be forage (PM if you want the calculations) but tbh, ad lib is the best way forwards.
A horse is unlikely to get colic as a result of not having hay but as they are 'trickle feeders' eating little and often, it is better to have constant supply to keep the system working& healthy bacteria in the gut happy.
In the wild, horses would graze all day long so we should try and replicate that.
I feed all of mine as much as they will eat overnight. Usually I have some left in the morning - if not then i put a bit more in!
So, in short, you are right (sorry - I rambled a bit).
Oh and it is worth remembering that haylage has a higher water content /is less dense so you need to feed more of it than you do hay, to get the right amount of fibre.
Hope I helped!
spotty_pony
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thank you, yes that helped a lot!
Shilasdair
Patting her thylacine
I'd like to add a few comments (although I wouldn't like to admit to an ES degree
).
Horses are thought to graze for around 18hrs a day in the wild...so probably do sleep for at least a few hours during the night.
And you should feed haylage in the same amounts that you feed hay...yes it has a higher water content....but it also has slightly higher nutrient levels...so unless you want fatties, feed the same amount.
S
Horses are thought to graze for around 18hrs a day in the wild...so probably do sleep for at least a few hours during the night.
And you should feed haylage in the same amounts that you feed hay...yes it has a higher water content....but it also has slightly higher nutrient levels...so unless you want fatties, feed the same amount.
S
arwenplusone
Well-Known Member
Lol - obviously they have to sleep sometime.
Not sure I agree with the haylege/hay thing but it depends if you are feeding by weight or by nutrient amounts.
In any instance - ad lib is the way forward.
Not sure I agree with the haylege/hay thing but it depends if you are feeding by weight or by nutrient amounts.
In any instance - ad lib is the way forward.
scotia2k7
Well-Known Member
Hello! - Im not either...but Id offer this. I agree with the previous replies. Horses in the wild are trickle feeders, little and always! Stabled horses, or on livery dont get this choice. We pop them out in the morning, we bring them in at night (usually at a time to suit ourselves, especially if its dark, yukky & winter!). Of course there are piggy ponies, and horses who will overstuff!
Good quality hay is a godsend these days! - if you can find it, thats fab - but there are more and more yards able to get hold of decent quality haylege (like mine). Haylege does have a higher sugar content than straight hay, and so over the winter months *can* help keep wieght on a previously poor doer with less weight in the net. However, regardless of whether you feed hay or haylege, horses are better off with stuff to munch overnight.
If your yard doesnt offer late night checks, invest in more haynets - Im not a fan of them, but if thats all your allowed - go for it!!! - get more haynets, stuff 'em yourself, (the average overnight haynets can easily go up to around 22-30lbs in weight). Bear in mind GOOD haylege DOES give more sugar & energy content than rough hay, and ask your yard owner/manager if they'd mind popping the last net in when they do late rounds. If you dont have this facility - bung two full packed nets in there - but go for the small weave nets to limit pigging!
Scotia
Good quality hay is a godsend these days! - if you can find it, thats fab - but there are more and more yards able to get hold of decent quality haylege (like mine). Haylege does have a higher sugar content than straight hay, and so over the winter months *can* help keep wieght on a previously poor doer with less weight in the net. However, regardless of whether you feed hay or haylege, horses are better off with stuff to munch overnight.
If your yard doesnt offer late night checks, invest in more haynets - Im not a fan of them, but if thats all your allowed - go for it!!! - get more haynets, stuff 'em yourself, (the average overnight haynets can easily go up to around 22-30lbs in weight). Bear in mind GOOD haylege DOES give more sugar & energy content than rough hay, and ask your yard owner/manager if they'd mind popping the last net in when they do late rounds. If you dont have this facility - bung two full packed nets in there - but go for the small weave nets to limit pigging!
Scotia
Lonesome_Dove
Well-Known Member
I think any equine nutritionist will advise to feed more in weight of haylage than hay due to it having such a high water content compared to hay. Otherwise you would be restricting fibre.
JenHunt
Well-Known Member
PM me if you need help!