The first consideration is local availability. Horses are kept from Maine to California and from Florida to Alaska. Crops that do well in one area may not be productive in other areas. Years ago when I was a young veterinarian recently transplanted from the Midwest to California, I was overheard by an older colleague recommending prairie hay to a client. In no uncertain terms he told me I had better do my homework. When I did, I found out not only that they hay I recommended was hard to come by and very expensive, but that the hays in common use locally were very good nutritionally. When choosing a hay, try to choose one that is available from several local sources, so that you don't have to change your program if you lose your source. Also, you want to be sure whatever hay you select is fresh, leafy and free from mold and dust. Your nose is a good barometer of quality. If the hay smells fresh and fragrant, it probably is. Hay varieties that are common in your area will give you more sources to select from and a better chance of finding clean safe hay.

When you look at cost, you should consider how the hay you select influences the overall cost of the ration. Grain based feeds are commonly called supplements, because they "supplement" the forage portion of the ration. It is always safer and better to provide the roughage and then add just enough grain to bring the total ration up to your horse's nutrient requirements. In general, legume hays, such as alfalfa, are much better nutritionally so that even though they may cost more, you will not need as much added grain in the ration as you would for an equal amount of grass hay. On the other hand, many horses do not need any more nutrients than those supplied by a good quality grass hay. In this case, paying more for legume hays would be a waste. Although moisture content is important in any hay, it is more so in legumes. Alfalfa that is baled too wet will mold and if it is baled too dry, you lose a large number of the leaves, which contain most of the nutrients.

Most mature pleasure geldings and non-producing mares doing only occasional light work need only the nutrients supplied by good quality grass hay. However, growing horses, lactating or heavily pregnant mares and horses in training or doing heavy work need large quantities of nutrients. These needs must be met by adding grains and concentrated protein supplements to the ration. Always remember, however that the horse is basically a grazing animal whose digestive tract is designed to deal with roughage. The better the quality (nutrient content) of the roughage, the smaller the amount of supplements that must be fed. For example, alfalfa is usually much higher in protein and energy that any of the grass hays, so less protein supplement and grain must be fed than when the roughage is a grass hay At times the nutrient requirements are so high that the horse actually has trouble eating enough to satisfy them. An example of this is the young horse in training that is both growing rapidly and working strenuously. In this instance, the roughage provided must be of the best possible nutrient quality.

Most of the concerns over dangers associated with hay center around alfalfa. Some of these concerns are of no consequence while some are very real. Many times I have been called to look at horses with "kidney problems" caused by alfalfa. Alfalfa does increase frequency and volume of urination but this is of no consequence unless the horse is deprived of water. The urine of horses fed alfalfa can develop a stronger ammonia odor and contain more crystals. This is because alfalfa is very high in protein and ammonia is a natural breakdown product when high protein levels are fed. The crystals are simply due to the fact that alfalfa has a high level of calcium and excess calcium is excreted this way. Alfalfa hay does not cause kidney problems. Changes from grass to hay should, however, be made gradually to avoid digestive disturbances. One potential problem with alfalfa is very real, however. Blister beetles are long, thin, brown striped beetles sometimes found in alfalfa They are very rare but quite serious if present as just a few dead bugs can be fatal to a horse. The insect's body contains a severe irritant that damages the gut and urinary system. They are usually easily seen if they are present, because there will typically be thousands in one flake of hay. The only sure way to avoid them is to look carefully at the hay you feed. They are not a problem in grass hays.

So, unfortunately, we come to the fact that there is no one perfect hay. The best choice for a racing trainer in California is different from that of a pleasure horse owner in Pennsylvania. Only by asking yourself the right questions, then digging out the answers can you do the best for your horses and yourself.