Ask the Nutritionist: Dr. Getty's Forum for Equine Nutrition
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Dr. Getty
Hi Dr. Getty:
I am confused...I have always been told 1st cut hay is best for horses...now there is talk that this may not be so? Apparently 1st cut hay may contain more stem and weeds...while second cut has more leaf to stem, and next to no weeds, being more nutritious?
I have been told before that 1st cut is best for horses, as 2nd cut may be too rich?
If you could clarify a bit, that would be helpful. I just got in my winters' stock of 1st cut orchard/timothy mix for my 2 horses!
Perhaps I should be waiting for 2nd cut instead? Thank you.....
Tamara 
Where are you from? Ontario, Canada
How did you locate this forum? In my Favourites!
Hi Tamara,
Actually, the cutting is not as significant as the stage of maturity at each cutting. Typically, the first cutting is made late in May or early June due to wet spring weather in many areas. And the second cutting is done later in the season, with drier, more sunny weather. So, the second cutting is often higher in quality than the first.
You see, as the temperatures rise, and the days become longer, the hay will mature faster. So, the first cutting is actually more mature, because it has had a longer growing season. The more mature a plant is, the more stem content it has, and the lower leaf content it maintains, making it less nutritious.
So, the bottom line is a matter of amount of rain, sunlight, and maturity level of the plant. If hay is harvested at a too mature stage, regardless of the cutting, it will be lower in protein and higher in fiber.
So, look for hay that has plenty of leaves, is of good color, free of mold, and was baled before maturity. If you have access to Horse Illustrated magazine, there is an article in the September 2005 edition on Hay Selection where I discuss the best ways to select hay.
Thanks for writing!
Dr. Getty
Where are you from? Bayfield, Colorado
Super! Let me know if you have any more questions.
Dr. Getty
Where are you from? Bayfield, Colorado