Storing round bales outside

Posted in Feed Management|Horse Articles on by omega

Written By: Krishona Martinson, PhD, U of M Storing round bales outside on the ground is a very common practice and represents the most economical method of hay storage. However, it also has the greatest potential for loss due to weather. Round bales typically have a higher storage loss than small square bales, especially when […]

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Purchasing and using certified hay

Posted in Feed Management|Horse Articles on by omega

Written By: Krishona Martinson, PhD, U of M There is a growing demand for the use of certified noxious weed seed free forage as a prevention to limit the spread of noxious weeds. Noxious weeds compete against native plants, degrade ecosystems, and ultimately pose a threat to wildlife. A common characteristic of all noxious weeds […]

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Complications with feeding clover

Posted in Feed Management|Horse Articles on by omega

Written By: Mike Murphy, DVM U of M Clover is a desirable feed source for most horses whether used in pasture or in hay because it provides useful energy and acceptable protein and fiber. Problems may rarely arise with clover, just as they can with most desirable feed sources. Clover may be “too rich” at […]

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Make better use of round-bales

Posted in Feed Management|Horse Articles on by omega

Written By: Krishona Martinson, PhD, University of Minnesota Drought conditions have severely reduced the supply of hay and other feedstuffs, escalating the demand and driving up prices. Horse owners can reduce hay waste by using feeders and properly storing hay, especially when feeding round-bales. In a study conducted in MN, feeding round-bales to horses without […]

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Choosing forages for horses

Posted in Feed Management|Horse Articles on by omega

Written By: Jennifer Earing, PhD, University of Minnesota Forage selection should be based on horse needs, as there is no one forage best suited for all classes of horses. For example, providing a nutrient-dense forage like vegetative alfalfa hay to ‘easy keepers’ can create obesity issues; however, that same hay would be a good option […]

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