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At HayLoft, we take great care in inspecting for moisture, damage, weeds, and other undesirable material. Our focus is on providing you the best available hay at competitive prices.
Known as “Florida’s alfalfa,” peanut hay is a magnificent substitute for alfalfa due to its remarkably similar nutritive qualities. The protein content is typically 13-18%. Like alfalfa, it is a legume, but it is restricted to the warm, near-tropical climate of Florida and south-Georgia due to its intolerance of cold. It is a great choice for Florida’s equines when it comes into season as the summer rains develop.
Alfalfa is an extremely nutritious and high-quality hay suitable for horses of any activity level. The protein content is typically 16-20%. It is frequently mixed with other grasses in fields to achieve other desired characteristics and most horses will eat it with gusto, whether mixed or not. Alfalfa cubes can reduce feed wastage and provide consistent nutrient quality.
Here in the Southeast, Coastal is the most prevalent type of hay. It typically has a protein content of 12-14% and is a great hay for horses with a low caloric demand. It is readily available throughout the region, and its affordability makes it one of the most popular hays around. Coastal is often used as the main forage for horses and can also be fed to goats and other animals, used as bedding or ground cover in a garden.
Orchard Grass hay is a great staple or variety hay. It is super soft and green and is a highly palatable grass with a high nutrient content. Orchard Grass is higher in protein (10-12%), higher in calorie content and contains the same balanced levels of calcium and phosphorus as Timothy grass.
Timothy hay is a good main staple. It is the most digestible of all hays and is one of the most popular hay for horses. The hay is a late-maturing high fiber bunchgrass with a relatively low protein content (typically 10%). Horse owners have found that Timothy hay promotes a shiny coat, good digestion, bowel regularity, and a healthy weight.
Choosing the right hay impacts lifespan, productivity, and performance.
Benefits:
Legumes are higher in protein and calcium than grass hay, and may also provide more energy and a higher level of total digestible nutrients, such as vitamin A. The high protein and mineral content may prompt your horse to drink more, keeping him better hydrated overall.
Downsides:
It may be necessary to add a high-phosphorous mineral supplement to better balance the calcium-to-phosphorous ratio found naturally in legume hays. Also, legume-based hay may be too rich in nutrients for an easy-keeping horse that’s prone to weight gain, or a horse that’s mostly retired and has lower energy needs. Due to the high calcium content, alfalfa may contribute to enteroliths in breeds that are particularly susceptible.
Best for:
Horses that require a nutrient-dense hay, such as lactating mares, growing foals or horses that need to ingest a plentiful amount of calories. Performance horses in heavy work often benefit from legume hay that can provide calories and energy while satisfying their forage needs.
Benefits:
Grass hay is lower in protein and energy than legume hay, but it is also higher in fiber which can make it a good choice for many horses. Since it is less nutrient-dense than legume hay, horses have to eat more grass to fill their bellies, which makes grass hay a good tool for keeping a stall-bound horse from getting bored.
Downsides:
Grass hay alone may not be enough to sustain a hard-keeper horse, a growing horse or a pregnant or lactating mare. Additionally, horses in heavy work will need more energy and nutrients than can be found in grass hay alone.
Best for:
Easy keepers, horses in light work, retired horses, and as a tool to help buffer stomach acid and add roughage without adding too many calories or excess protein. Providing nutrient-light, bulky grass hay can closely mimic the horse’s natural pattern of grazing slowly and processing fibrous feed equally slowly and steadily through the digestive system.