Good Quality Hay
My horse has been very finicky lately when it comes to eating his hay. I am not sure if he likes it or not. How can I tell good quality hay?
You raise a very good question! I am glad to see that you are paying attention to what your horse is telling you about what he eats.
Good quality hay is green, not yellow or brown. You should break the bale of hay open and spread it out so that you can get a good look at it. The hay should have a lot of leaves and not much stems. There should be no weeds present in the hay. The smell of it should be light and fresh, and there should be no dust or mold on it. By looking for these clues, you will be able to assess if this will be good hay to feed your horse.
You can also have the hay analyzed for nutrient values. You can contact your county extension agent, local feed company, or nutrition specialist for an evaluation of the hay you will be feeding your horse.
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