Feeding Fescue Hay To HorsesUPDATENow It's Crested Wheat

fairhavenranch

We are being forced to buy hay from out of state due to the hay shortage here.

The only acceptable hay we have found to replace our regular orchard grass hay is an orchard/brome/fescue mix from Nebraska.

I've heard a lot of negative things about fescue. We do not have any broodmares or foals.

If you know anything about fescue please let me know as soon as possible. We are going to pick up a month's worth to see how it feeds tomorrow. They have to eat something and it's this or moldy alfalfa cow hay. Both their grass mix and straight alfalfa hay look excellent and they expect to be able to bring it by semi all winter so at least it would be consistient.

Worst year I've ever seen here for hay and it's only October. First cutting is not until late May or early June of 2010. First time in 7 years we have had to change hay dealers and the last one we only had to change because he retired.

I will have to have this hay tested and start all over with the minerals, etc.

But my main concern is the fescue - so please let me know.

Thanks,
Traci

becky b

I have fed fescue or a fescue mix for 12 years now. It is what is readily available in my area. My hay dealer passed away and I was forced to find a new hay dealer this year. I ended up with a guy from my Parelli play group and it is the best hay I have ever purchased. It is a Bahai (sp?) grass/fescue mix. As long as you are not keeping brood mares it should not be a problem if it is clean, cured properly and baled good. Just my opinion...

fairhavenranch

This is beautiful hay. But you can't tell endophyte infected hay or endophyte free hay by sight.

I could have the first batch tested I guess.

That does make me feel better though that you have not had any problems. Thanks for replying. I know there are a lot of people who do feed fescue.

becky b

Around here you have to watch for people baling it before it is cured and it molds on the inside. They usually get mad when you cut a bale open to check the inside. My current (new) hay guy offered me his knife to cut open a bale to see how good it is. He even guaranteed it. I bought several months worth at one time out of the field and he even said if over the winter I find a bad bale he would replace it. I think having the first batch tested is a great idea.

fairhavenranch

They guarantee their bales. I asked! I asked percent proteins and a lot of other technical questions and I am going to flat out ask tomorrow if it is endophyte free fescue. They seem knowledgeable. They own a boarding farm just a few miles from me. I had never heard of them but he said they just bought the place a year ago. It's all brand new barns, stalls, runs, etc.

Changing hay is so scary! It sucks you can't trust people.

PasoBaby_CarolU

http://www.caf.wvu.edu/~forage/fescue_endophtye/Story.htm

fairhavenranch

Here is the article that freaked me out.

http://www.bayerequineconnection.com/Main/General_Care/fescue_diet.cfm

The only place so far I can find to have it tested is in Oregon for $35 plus shipping.

PasoBaby_CarolU

Traci, if you aren't feeding broodmares, I don't understand what your concern is.

Becky, endophyte is a fungus particular to fescue grass. The mold you are thinking of could be in any hay that is baled or stored too wet.

http://www.uwex.edu/ces/forage/wf...edings2001/mold_growth_in_hay.htm

fairhavenranch

Carol: I was not that concerned until I read the Bayer article. (Above link.)

Just because they are not breeding and you won't have endophyte induced problems means that whatever this endophyte does still affects them in some way though (hormonal?) - you just don't "see" the effect. Then there was the thing about risk of laminitis, diarrhea, profuse sweating, and reduced body condition.

It's got to be safer than moldy cow hay, right? Not to mention straight alfalfa moldy cow hay. I usually only feed straight grass.

Wow, this is stressful!

PasoBaby_CarolU

I would not feed moldy hay to a horse. Period.

I don't worry about fescue. I would if I had pregnant mares.

fairhavenranch

That's my point exactly. Feeding any even questionably moldy hay is NOT an option. I'd soak hay cubes first at twice the price of baled hay. The rule around here has been and always will be, "When in doubt, throw it out!"

As long as they are not pregnant mares or foals, well, they have got to eat and this is all I can find right now. So unless there is any other evidence that ~15% of their diet coming from fescue is going to kill them then this is what we are going to do.

PasoBaby_CarolU

Traci, I'd try not to worry about it. When you get the hay your county extension agent (or a local farmer) should be able to help you identify what kind of grasses are in it. Most hay grasses are brome, timothy, rye, and orchard. Tall fescue usually comes in as a weed although it can be planted. Chances are there isn't a lot of fescue in it.

If you are really worried, order timothy from Standlee in Idaho. It's about as clean hay as I've ever seen. It's expensive though.

Leah

Fescue is an issue with broodmares in the last 30 days.

I have fescue fields. Most hay grown in GA is fescue.

I think the panic is overrated.

Pyrgirl

My horses graze fescue 1 hour/day. They are mares, but not breeding. It hasn't been a problem.

fairhavenranch

Well much ado about nothing. Turns out this is the last load he will have with fescue in it.

But it is good to know it would have been OK as it may come up again this season as finding hay is going to be crazy.

The next load he is getting has orchard/brome/crested wheat.

Anybody know about feeding crested wheat to horses?

PasoBaby_CarolU

Crested wheat is the most common range grass here. I've never heard of it being a problem to horses. Know horses who live on crested wheat pastures 24/7. No problem.

fairhavenranch

Sounds good to me. We just unloaded the hay and the orchard/brome/fescue looks mostly orchard. Good. Their alfalfa has some orchard in it and the bales are light for the price. We will see what they have next time.

I sure have been spoiled all these years.

Thanks for your input!

Feeding Fescue Hay To Horses**UPDATE**Now It's Crested Wheat

Feeding Fescue Hay To HorsesUPDATENow It's Crested Wheat