Hay for Polo Ponies

Horses require hay to allow for normal activity of the digestive tract.

Selecting a Grass Hay

The best and most natural source of roughage is good pasture grass and dry hay. Although inactive or idle horses will subsist on good pasture or a good quality hay, working or growing horses should receive grain in addition to hay. The harder the work, the more grain required.

Grass hays, like Alfalfa, Timothy or Orchard Grass, are a staple of basic equine nutrition. Alfalfa is typically much higher in protein and calcium than other hays.

Good quality hay is:

• Young-cut
• Green in color
• Weed-Free
• Mold-Free
• Moisture content 15% or below

Hay that is cut before it reaches full maturity is more nutritious because when the seeds are growing, the hay loses protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals.

You can tell a lot about hay from its appearance, texture and aroma.

Appearance

Since the leaves are the nutrient rich part of hay, the greener it is, the more nutritious it is. Good hay has more leaf than stem and contains very few weeds.

Texture

Good hay is lightweight, pliable, and contains fine grass. When you drop a bale of good hay on end it should bounce. Hay that contains an abundance of stems is difficult to digest.

Aroma

Good hay smells fresh and slightly sweet. It shouldn't smell moldy or mildewed.