Sage-Tips

Is hay or straw better for horses?

While straw is not as nutritious as hay, it is safe for horses to eat and can be a source of beneficial roughage. In contrast, the horses on wood shavings paused less frequently while consuming their hay meal and did not have anything to eat once finished.

Which is better straw or hay?

Straw Versus Hay Hay is harvested while it is still a live, healthy plant. Straw is the dead stalks of plants after the valuable parts of the plants have been harvested. Hay provides a good nutritional value for animals who are going to be eating it, while straw provides little nutrition.

Is straw hay bad for horses?

If horses eat a large volume of straw, this lignin fiber accumulates in the digestive system and it can plug (impact) the digestive system. This results in severe colic and even death if not properly treated.

What is a good bedding for horses?

Straw comes from cereal grains such as wheat, barley and oat, with wheat being the most common type that is used for stall bedding. Although straw may not be as absorbent as wood based products such as shavings or wood pellets, it is still a good bedding choice for your horse.

What is the cheapest horse bedding?

Sorbeo is the most cost-effective, high-quality pellet bedding around and will probably cost you less than any cheap horse bedding on the market. Why? Because Sorbeo is highly absorbent, 100\% natural, and you get more for your money.

What happens if a horse eats too much straw?

While straw may look very similar to hay, due to subtle differences, if a horse eats a lot of straw this can lead to colic and blockages in the digestive system. If they are eating the bed bare, they also risk hurting themselves if they decide to lay down or roll on the floor.

Is hay a good bedding for horses?

Mature grass hay is an alternative to straw that horses can eat with less risk of colic. Coleman explains, “In Kentucky, a lot of farms sell mature grass hay as bedding. The horses eat a little of it, but it doesn’t cause the kind of impaction problems we see with straw.

What can you feed horses instead of hay?

Six Hay Alternatives for Horses

• Bagged chopped forage. It can replace all of your horse’s hay, if necessary.
• Hay cubes. Chopped cubed hay (usually alfalfa or timothy or a combination) is another 100-percent replacement.
• Hay pellets.
• “Complete” feed.
• Beet pulp.
• Soybean hulls.

Can I use hay as bedding for horses?

You might be tempted to use old hay for bedding. Horses will eat even spoiled hay that may give off mold dust that can result in lung damage. Hay is also more expensive than straw or other beddings. Hay for bedding is not a good idea.

Should I feed straw to my horse?

People consider feeding straw for a variety of reasons such as reducing caloric intake, providing an alternative to horses that want to eat constantly, saving money on hay or substituting for hay when there is a shortage. Before doing it, there are some things you should know.

What types of hay can I Feed my horse?

There are many types of hay that you can feed to horses. Different types of hay for horses can vary in nutritional value, taste or texture. *When in doubt about what hay is best for your horse, consult your vet or an equine nutritionist to determine the best hay for your horse* The two main types of hay for horses are grass hayand legume hay.

Do you buy hay or straw for chickens?

Since hay is more nutritious but more expensive, we buy hay solely for the horses to eat. Since straw is cheaper, dried and therefore less likely to mold or attract moisture, we buy straw for the backyard chicken coop and nesting boxes.

Is straw bad for horses with EGUS?

There is no evidence that straw included at levels up to 30\% of the total diet causes any issues in relation to EGUS. Do horses eat straw? Although straw is often not the most palatable source of fibre, most horses will eat it, particularly if they are on a restricted diet. It can easily be mixed in with hay and soaked or steamed if necessary.