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| How Good Is Your Hay? |
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Having your hay lab-tested would be the surest way to know its quality and nutritional
content. But this descriptive test can help you know if your hay is good or not. Take
a handful from the middle of a bale and answer these questions:
How does it feel?
Does it consist of young plants with short, easily bendable stems? This is best,
and will be easiest to digest and has the highest nutrient content. If it is a mix
of small and coarser stems, blooms, and seedheads, this is still acceptable, but
lower in quality. If it consists of large, coarse stems, weeds, or even sticks, it
is not good hay, and will lack nutrition and be harder for your horse to digest.
How does it look?
If it has a lot of leaves and a definite green color, you can be sure it has a high
nutritional value. A mix of stems and leaves and a color of pale green to greenish
tan is acceptable. Few or no leaves and dark brown, black, or white hay should be
rejected for mold and very poor nutrition.
How does it smell?
If your hay has a summery grassy smell, this is best. That tells you the hay has
been properly cured. If it smells pleasant, but not as intensely like fresh grass,
this is probably acceptable. Dank, musty, or unpleasant odors tell you the hay is
moldy and should be rejected.
Want a professional opinion?
You can have your hay tested by calling your local extension agent or going to
www.equi-analytical.com.
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