Hay Analysis: Making Sense of Those Confusing Numbers - A Horse Owner's Guide

Hay Analysis: Making Sense of Those Confusing Numbers - A Horse Owner's Guide

As horse owners, we know good hay when we see it – or do we? While that sweet-smelling, green bale might look perfect, appearances can be deceiving. The only way to truly know what's in your hay is through proper analysis. Let's break down those confusing lab results into practical, useful information that will help you make better feeding decisions for your horse.

Why Test Your Hay?

Before diving into the numbers, let's address why testing matters. Your hay likely makes up 50-100% of your horse's diet, making it the foundation of their nutrition. Regional soil differences, weather conditions, cutting timing, and storage all affect hay quality. Without testing, you're essentially guessing at what nutrients your horse is actually getting. Hence, in order to create a balanced diet for your horse, you need to know the nutritional values of what you are feeding.

Understanding the Basics: Dry Matter vs. As Sampled

When you read a hay-analysis report, you'll notice results are typically shown in both "As Sampled" and "Dry Matter" basis. Dry matter results show nutrient levels with all moisture removed, allowing for direct comparison between different hay types. As sampled numbers represent what's actually in your hay, including moisture. For practical feeding purposes, you'll usually work with as sampled values.

Breaking Down Key Values

1. Crude Protein (CP)

The protein percentage is often the first number horse owners look at, but context matters. Mature horses at maintenance typically need hay with 8-10% protein, while growing horses and lactating mares might need 12-16%. Higher isn't always better – excess protein is simply excreted, making your horse drink and urinate more.

2. Fibre Components: ADF and NDF

- Acid Detergent Fiber (ADF): This represents the least digestible plant components. Lower ADF (30-35%) indicates better digestibility and higher energy content.

- Neutral Detergent Fiber (NDF): This measures insoluble fibre content. Higher NDF means lower intake – horses simply won’t eat it. Ideal ranges are 40-50% for grass hay, but less than 65%

3. Energy Values

Digestible Energy (DE) is crucial for determining if your hay meets your horse's energy needs. Most maintenance horses need hay with 0.8-0.9 Mcal/lb DE. Performance horses may need higher energy hay or supplemental feed to meet their needs.

Sugar and Starch Content:

- Water Soluble Carbohydrates (WSC)

- Ethanol Soluble Carbohydrates (ESC)

- Non-Structural Carbohydrates (NSC)

For metabolic horses or those prone to laminitis, these numbers are critical. Generally, look for combined WSC + starch levels below 10-12% for sensitive horses.

4. Critical Mineral Ratios

Calcium:Phosphorus Ratio

The ideal ratio is between 3:1 and 1:1. Inverted ratios can cause serious developmental problems in young horses and general health issues in adults. If your hay's ratio is off, you'll need to balance it with appropriate supplements.

Red Flags to Watch For

1. Mould and Mycotoxins

While visual inspection helps, lab testing can reveal harmful mould levels not visible to the naked eye. Any detectable mycotoxins are concerning and may make the hay unsuitable for horses.

2. ARGT Testing

Ensure ALL hay is tested for Annual Ryegrass Toxicity. This will be a separate test conducted by the Department of Agriculture and Food. Tests must come back negative to the toxin, otherwise this disease can be fatal for livestock. 

Making Practical Use of Your Results

Once you have your analysis, how do you use it? Start by comparing the results to your horse's requirements based on:

- Age

- Activity level

- Reproductive status

- Health conditions

This comparison will help you:

1. Determine if you need additional supplementation

2. Choose appropriate concentrate feeds

3. Adjust feeding rates

4. Make cost-effective purchasing decisions

Working with Professionals

While understanding your hay analysis is important, working with an equine nutritionist can help you:

- Interpret borderline results

- Balance complex mineral interactions

- Create custom supplementation plans

- Address specific health concerns

The Bottom Line

Understanding your hay analysis helps you make informed decisions about your horse's nutrition. While the numbers might seem overwhelming at first, they provide valuable information that can help you maintain your horse's health, prevent problems before they start, and potentially save money on unnecessary supplements.

Remember: no single hay analysis number tells the whole story. Look at the complete picture and consider your horse's individual needs when making feeding decisions. When in doubt, consult with your veterinarian or a qualified equine nutritionist to help interpret results and create an appropriate feeding program.