What a Hay Analysis Can Tell You About Your Horse's Needs

In this episode, Dr. Chris Mortensen shares a personal story to illustrate the importance of nutrients in hay for horses. He explains the critical need to test hay to ensure it meets the nutritional requirements of horses, emphasizing that visual appraisal alone is insufficient.

Dr. Mortensen discusses the methodology of hay sampling, the role of different nutrients, and the implications of soil nutrient content from various locations. He provides an overview of essential measurements in hay tests, such as dry matter, crude protein, fiber content, non-structural carbohydrates, and minerals. Lastly, he stresses the role of equine nutritionists and the necessity of supplementation to fill nutrient gaps in a horse's diet, advocating for regular hay testing and balanced nutrition for optimal horse health.

Podcast Timeline 

00:00 Introduction and Personal Story

03:01 The Importance of Hay Quality

04:06 Nutrient Gaps in Forage

05:13 Regional Differences in Hay Nutrients

08:35 The Necessity of Hay Testing

21:15 How to Take a Hay Sample

25:52 Understanding Hay Test Results

45:11 Conclusion and Resources

Visit https://madbarn.com/mad-about-horses/ to learn more about the Mad About Horses podcast.

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