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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 

 



Ask the Nutritionist: Dr. Getty's Forum for Equine Nutrition
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Author
Comment
Fresh cut hay

Hi Dr. Getty,
how long do you have to wait to feed fresh baled
hay from the field to the horses? I'm running out
of my old hay and the farmer I got my hay from is
just cutting and baling hay this week. Some people
say to wait at least 3 weeks for the hay to cure.
Some people feed it right away. I have 2 Morgans both
on the fatter side. One of them is IR. They look
good right now. I do feed free choice hay in hay nets
and would mix it with the rest of the old hay. Still
I'm concerned about colic. Please give me advice.
Sincerely
Ursula

Where are you from? North Carolina

How did you locate this forum? long time ago by browsing the net

Re: Fresh cut hay

Hello Ursula,

When grass is cut to make hay, it is dried for a few days prior to baling. So it has already "cured." It is safe to feed. However, my concern is whether or not the hay has the appropriate %NSC (non-structural carbohydrate) level for an insulin resistant horse. It is very important for you to have it analyzed.

I discuss this at length in my book, Feed Your Horse Like A Horse, so I hope you've had a chance to read it. But, please send a hay sample to a reputable lab such as Equi-Analytical Labs.

If you need any assistance interpreting your report, let me know.

All the best,

Dr. Getty
Author of Feed Your Horse Like A Horse

Ursula Kleimeier
Hi Dr. Getty,
how long do you have to wait to feed fresh baled
hay from the field to the horses? I'm running out
of my old hay and the farmer I got my hay from is
just cutting and baling hay this week. Some people
say to wait at least 3 weeks for the hay to cure.
Some people feed it right away. I have 2 Morgans both
on the fatter side. One of them is IR. They look
good right now. I do feed free choice hay in hay nets
and would mix it with the rest of the old hay. Still
I'm concerned about colic. Please give me advice.
Sincerely
Ursula

Where are you from? Bayfield, CO