Ask the Nutritionist: Dr. Getty's Forum for Equine Nutrition
Welcome to my forum.
Here you will find more than 6 years of questions and my answers. It is searchable and offers a great deal of information.
Currently, I am discontinuing new questions. This may change in the future, but in the meantime, please know that It has been a true pleasure serving you.
Take a look at my Nutrition Library and Tips of the Month for a variety of answers on selected topics. Be sure to sign up for my monthly e-newsletter, Forage for Thought.
I also have a growing number of recordings on "Teleseminars on Nutrition Topics that Concern You" as well as the new, Spotlight on Equine Nutrition Series -- printed versions of favorite teleseminars.
And finally, look for my articles in a variety of local publications and online newsletters, as well as the Horse Journal, where I am the Contributing Nutrition Editor.
All the best,
Dr. Getty
Hi Wendy,
Thank you for writing and posting this interesting question. You're correct about oat hay -- it is high in starch and sugar and isn't particularly nutritious. However, the only way to know the levels in your hay is to have it analyzed. You can have this done by your local county extension agency or send it off to be analyzed by Equi-Analytical. Here is their website: www.equi-analytical.com Email them or call for a free forage collecting kit and send a sample back to them with your order. Choose the "Equi-Tech" test -- it is thorough and most economical ($29).
Keep me posted!
Dr. Getty 
Where are you from? Bayfield, CO