Can horse owners trust that good-looking bales really are of good quality?
Unfortunately not! The results of some field studies are alarming. Despite the apparently good impression, many of the hay bales tested turn out to be of poor quality.
In 2007, the North Rhine-Westphalia Chamber of Agriculture took 23 hay samples, 60% of which were deemed unfit for feeding. The analysis by the LMU in Munich reflected similar results. Only 35% of the hay samples taken were deemed to be hygienically safe. The reason for this is the greatly increased bacterial load.
Unfortunately, these samples are not an isolated case. Many other studies have shown the same results. These results only underline the need to check roughage.
But how can the layman recognize the quality of hay and what exactly does the term “hay quality” mean?
What does the term "quality" mean when it comes to hay?
The concept of feed quality is broad and includes:
- the nutritional value of the feed
- the hygienic status
- the microbial status and
- feed intake
The quality of the feed is the main focus of animal health and contributes to a high degree to the well-being of the animal.
Many factors influence the quality of roughage. In addition to crop cultivation measures such as variety selection, care, fertilization and location, the quality-determining factors also include harvest factors such as compaction, storage and removal.
In general, spoiled, microbially contaminated roughage must not be fed for the sake of animal health.
Basically:
If the preparation is incorrect or if the pastures/meadows used to harvest roughage are infested with poisonous plants, there is a risk of contamination with harmful ingredients that can lead to illness. The preserved product can only be considered microbially uncontaminated if the source material has as little microbial contamination as possible (bacteria, fungi, etc.).
It is therefore important to examine the hay carefully for poisonous plants. If they are present on the harvested meadow, these are preserved and continue to have a toxic effect. This includes not only the well-known ragwort, but also the autumn crocus, bracken and marsh horsetail.
Furthermore, when visually inspecting the crop, you should pay attention to any contamination from sand or soil. Contaminants that get into our roughage during harvesting can lead to gastrointestinal problems.
The pasture should also be free of organic fertilizers.
But how can the horse owner determine the quality of his own roughage?
assessment methods of roughage
Special analytical methods are used to assess the quality of roughage. The assessment can be based on chemical and microbial laboratory analyses and/or be subject to sensory testing.
Microbial/chemical testing is a process in which individual samples of the hay to be tested are taken and sent to a laboratory. This tests the hay for various parameters such as nutritional value, characterized by the general ingredients, minerals, trace elements and the corresponding feed hygiene, which is determined by germ counts, mycotoxins and harmful weeds. Depending on the parameters selected, the horse owner receives a detailed list and evaluation of the sample.
This procedure is very informative for the horse owner, but also time-consuming and expensive. Therefore, the individual horse owner can use sensory testing of the roughage to get a rough overview of the hay quality.
Sensory test:
- Botanical composition
We strive to have as much plant diversity as possible in our hay. In addition to the grass varieties that are present, such as the well-known German ryegrass and the red fescue varieties, we also strive for a high density of herbs. Furthermore, our hay should have as balanced a ratio of stems to flowers as possible. The stems are fibrous and provide enough chewing, while the flowers cover the raw protein part. Overall, the hay should be composed in such a way that it contains all the necessary nutrients for the horse.
- Optimal dry matter
To prevent mold and mold spores, the hay must be dried to a dry matter content of at least 84%. Otherwise, mold will form very quickly. The hay must therefore also be stored away from water and rain. 16% residual moisture is acceptable. The hay still feels dry and soft.
- smell test
The hay should not smell moldy or musty. If this smell is detected, the hay is already heavily contaminated and is considered unfit for feeding.
- dust test
In order to protect our horses from respiratory diseases, we need to ensure that their roughage is as dust-free as possible. When you shake up the hay, you can quickly see how many dust particles are stored in the hay.
- Color
The color is not necessarily decisive for assessing quality. It depends on the time of harvest, the technique, the dry matter content and the botanical composition of the pasture. Hay harvested later or from sunny meadows usually has a paler shade of green, but can be fed without hesitation. The situation is different with gray hay, which is a strong indication of mold and should not be fed under any circumstances.
- feed intake
Feed intake is also categorically part of feed quality and plays a major role. Horses are highly selective when it comes to feed intake. You've probably noticed this before when feeding them concentrate. But roughage preferences also vary. Have you ever seen your horse dip the hay in water before eating it? Or when it is presented with haylage at the same time, does it prefer it? Several studies have shown exactly this selective roughage behavior. It can be assumed that horses want to avoid the dust in their roughage.
Conclusion:
The nutritional value as well as the microbial and hygienic status of the roughage can only be visually determined to a limited extent by the individual horse owner.
In this context, the sensory test only allows the roughage to be assessed for ingredients, foreign bodies and processes that indicate spoilage. Mold and mold spores cannot necessarily be detected by visual inspection. Smaller quantities, which are nevertheless harmful to health, cannot be smelled or seen. Therefore, please note that the visual inspection initially only represents a rough assessment of the hygienic quality and nutritional content.
Ideally, chemical and microbial analyses should be included, as factors such as bacterial contamination, mold infestation, reheating, nutritional values, etc. are not recorded but still contribute significantly to quality.
Sources:
- Böhnke (2018): Influence of roughage quality and type of preservation on feed intake and acceptance in horses.
Dr. W. Sommer, J. Möllering (2008): Horse hay often has hygienic deficiencies
https://www.landwirtschaftskammer.de/landwirtschaft/tierproduktion/pferdehalte/fuetterung/pferdeheu-2007.htm
