Can horse owners trust that good-looking bales actually represent good quality?
Unfortunately not! The results of some field studies are alarming. Despite their seemingly good appearance, many tested hay bales 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 human consumption. The analysis by the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU) reflected similar results. Only 35% of the hay samples taken were considered hygienically safe. This is due to the significantly increased bacterial load.
Unfortunately, these samples are not an isolated case. Many other studies have shown similar results. These findings only underscore the need to monitor roughage.
But how can a layperson recognize hay quality 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 significantly to the animal's well-being.
Many factors influence the quality of roughage. In addition to crop management measures such as variety selection, care, fertilization, and location, quality-determining factors also include harvesting factors such as compaction, storage, and harvesting.
In general, spoiled, microbially contaminated roughage should not be fed for the sake of animal health.
Basically:
If the forage is harvested improperly or from pastures/meadows infested with poisonous plants, there is a risk of contamination with harmful substances that can lead to illness. Only if the source material has the lowest possible microbial contamination (bacteria, fungi, etc.) can the preserved product be considered microbially uncontaminated.
It is therefore important to carefully inspect the hay for poisonous plants. If present in the harvested meadow, these plants are preserved and continue to have a toxic effect. This includes not only the well-known ragwort, but also autumn crocus, bracken, and marsh horsetail.
Furthermore, the visual inspection should be checked for contamination from sand or soil. Contaminants that enter 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?
Methods for assessing roughage
Special analytical methods are used to assess the quality of roughage. The assessment may be based on chemical and microbial laboratory analyses and/or sensory testing.
Microbial/chemical testing involves taking individual samples of the hay to be tested and sending them to a laboratory. This laboratory tests the hay for various parameters, such as nutritional value, characterized by general ingredients, minerals, trace elements, and appropriate feed hygiene, which is determined by bacterial counts, mycotoxins, and harmful weeds. Depending on the selected parameters, the horse owner receives a detailed report and analysis of the sample.
This method is very informative for the horse owner, but also time-consuming and expensive. Therefore, individual horse owners can use sensory testing of the roughage to get a rough overview of hay quality.
Sensory test:
- Botanical composition
We strive for the greatest possible plant biodiversity in our hay. In addition to the common grass varieties, such as the well-known German ryegrass and red fescue varieties, we also strive for a high density of herbs. Furthermore, our hay should have the most balanced ratio of stems to flowers. The stems are fibrous and provide plenty of chewing power, while the flowers provide the raw protein. Overall, the hay should be composed in such a way that it contains all the necessary nutrients for the horse.
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- Optimal dry matter
To prevent mold and mold spores, hay must be dried to at least 84% dry matter. Otherwise, mold growth will occur very quickly. Therefore, hay must also be stored away from water and rain. A residual moisture content of 16% is acceptable. The hay will still feel dry and soft.
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- Smell test
The hay should not smell moldy or musty. If this smell is present, the hay is already heavily contaminated and is considered unfit for feeding.
- Dust test
To protect our horses from respiratory diseases, we must ensure that roughage is as dust-free as possible. Shaking the hay quickly reveals how many dust particles have accumulated in it.
- Color
Color isn't necessarily a determining factor in assessing quality. It depends on the time of harvest, the technique used, 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 is safe to feed. Gray hay is a different story; this strongly indicates mold and should not be fed under any circumstances.
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- Feed intake
Feed intake is also categorically part of feed quality and plays a major role. Horses are highly selective in their feed intake. You've probably noticed this before when feeding concentrates. However, roughage preferences also vary. Have you ever observed your horse soaking hay in water before eating it? Or showing a preference for haylage when presented at the same time? Several studies demonstrate precisely 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, sensory testing only allows for assessing roughage for ingredients, foreign matter, and processes that indicate deterioration. Mold and mold spores cannot necessarily be detected through visual inspection. Smaller amounts, which are nevertheless harmful to health, cannot be smelled or seen. Therefore, please note that visual inspection initially only provides a rough assessment of 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/pferdehaltung/fuetterung/pferdeheu-2007.htm
