Wheat in Hay....could it make my horse hypo

walkandtrot

Well-Known Member
Joined
31 January 2008
Messages
204
Location
Scotlandshire
Visit site
My own hay finished, so bought a large Square bale from my local supplier, he commented when he brought it that it had some wheat through it, not sure why, it has like the Rusks of oats, (dont know technical term) and is very straw like, the horse loves it, but he now seems to have an abundance of energy not seen before, I prefer the old him!! Any experts out there, could it have energy giving affects or maybe just spring fever....?????? any thoughts??
 
I wouldn't feed it. To start with you dont know whether its wheat or oats, just that it has grains, it could be anything.

Horses are not usually fed whole grains they are always crushed or cooked as in rolled oats or barley rings.

If its barley you could be taking a risk as its actually dangerous to feed whole. I have never heard of wheat being fed but that probably for a very good reason.

Our cob had a severe allergic reaction to whole barley grain which she found in some straw.

All that aside, cereals of any kind are like to give the horse more energy
 
Sounds like a first year seed hay,it is quite common to find volunteer plants from the previous crop. Absolutely nothing to worry about. My guess is that the reason your horse has so much energy is the quality of the grass itself.
 
Agree it doesn't sound like hay. Also the fact that we have our hay from the field far earlier then when the straw is cut makes it hard to see how the two can be mixed.
Anyway I wouldn't feed either.
 
It is possible to get wheat hay, its quite straw like, but a lot paler in colour, more like a grey colour.
If its got oat head in it, its more likely oaten hay, I can't feed this to my horse if there are any oat heads in the hay as he cant handle it and turns loopy.
If its oaten hay people commonly feed it here as a cheap energy feed.
Kx
 
Top