Forage alternatives

As we enter the dog days of winter, it is not uncommon for our hay stores to run low. For some, this poses a challenge if there is not a sufficient supply of quality hay for sale nearby. One might have to resort to a forage alternative, to make it through to spring when the grass again becomes prevalent.

There are a variety of forage alternatives available, and the best option will depend on a variety of issues, including the body condition of the horse, his/her physiological state, the quality of forage alternatives accessible in the area and, of course, cost. These forage replacements can help stretch hay supplies through the winter months, or they can even help in summer months when grazing is limited during times of severe drought. Some forage options available commercially are chopped hay, hay cubes/pellets, beet pulp, haylage, etc.

Chopped hay also called “chaff,” is becoming more common in equine diets. It can provide a mix of digestible and indigestible fiber to maintain proper function of the digestive tract. Chaff is also sometimes mixed with molasses to enhance palatability and sometimes has added nutrients to provide for a more complete ration.

Forage cubes/pellets simply are hay that has been chopped coarsely (or finely) and formed (with the addition of a binder) into scoopable, baggable pieces. They’re more convenient to move around than baled hay, and they have the advantage of a guaranteed nutritional content that is posted on the bag so you know exactly what you’re delivering in terms of essential nutrients. Hay cubes and pellets come in a variety of sizes and textures, from soft and crumbly to quite hard, and they can be all-alfalfa hay, all-grass hay, a mixture of the two, or even hay mixed with other products.

Beet pulp is one of the most commonly fed forage alternatives. The digestible energy and fiber content generally falls between that of grains and hays, the protein content is similar to a decent quality grass hay, and it is relatively high in calcium. You can feed it to meet up to 50% of the forage content of the diet, ideally limiting it to 10 pounds, on a dry weight basis per day. Beet pulp is usually fed soaked to mitigate any issues associated with choke.

Soybean hulls are high in fiber and are one of the most digestible hull types. They can be used to replace about 50% of the forage. They are rather lightweight and tend to blow away if not either pelleted or mixed with a binder, such as molasses. The biggest drawback to feeding hulls is they are usually dusty, have very low vitamin content and result in less overall chew time which can minimize the amount of bicarbonate produced that acts as a temporary stomach buffer.

Haylage is more commonly fed in European countries, although in recent years it has gained some popularity in the United States. Haylage is a form of chopped hay that is harvested and baled with a moisture content higher than traditional hay. It is sealed in plastic, allowing for some fermentation before being fed.

Advantages of haylage are that it is relatively dust-free because of its higher moisture content, and it is also slightly higher in nutritive value. The biggest concern with haylage is the development of mold and mycotoxins if it is not stored properly. It will mold quickly–usually within four to five days–once the package is opened and the forage is exposed to air.

Keep in mind that in order to maintain proper digestive health, roughages/forages must make up a minimum of 50% of a horse’s diet on a dry weight basis, or about 1 pound per 100 pounds of body weight. Also, make any changes to the horse’s diet gradually. Feed horses on the lower-fiber alternatives more frequently (four times a day) to satisfy the basic grazing requirements and to reduce boredom or less than ideal behaviors.