11/03/2026
🌾 Putting My Hay Test to Work
Last week, I shared the results of my hay analysis... so now what?
Gunner and Pumpkin are both easy keepers who are currently out of work, so I'm not looking to add unnecessary calories. I want to make sure they're getting the nutrients they need without overfeeding them in the process. For Pumpkin, this is especially important. Last winter, she wasn't under my management and became extremely overweight, which contributed to the progression of her arthritis. As she creeps closer and closer to 30 years old, keeping her at a healthy weight and managing the demands on her joints are my top priorities. I can't turn back the clock, but I can be more intentional about the things within my control.
Their diet is primarily free-choice round-bale hay with a slow-feed net,
and each horse receives roughly 1 lb of Gro 'N Win Alfa daily, along with free-choice salt and water. Why Grow N Win Alfa? For starters, I can get it semi-locally from Dreamers Lane Stables, and it's designed to compliment an Alfalfa based diet.
My hay analysis highlighted a few areas worth paying attention to, particularly the mineral profile:
🔎 Phosphorus: My hay tested at just 0.11% phosphorus on a dry matter basis. GRO 'N WIN ALFA contains phosphorus, making it a useful tool for supplementing this mineral.
🔎 Copper and zinc: These trace minerals are important for many functions in the body, and forage alone doesn't always supply them in adequate amounts. GRO 'N WIN ALFA provides both, along with other essential trace minerals and vitamins.
🔎 Vitamins and amino acids: Beyond minerals, the ration balancer supplies vitamins A, D and E, along with lysine, methionine and threonine - nutrients that contribute to meeting the horses' overall nutritional requirements.
That said, it's worth noting that feeding a ration balancer doesn't automatically mean the diet is balanced. Even with GRO 'N WIN ALFA in the mix, I'm still looking closely at the overall mineral picture. Luckily in my case, with it's addition to my hay, my horses needs are met based on their age, body type and workload.
This is exactly why I believe in testing forage and evaluating the whole ration. At some point it became 'the norm' to just throw supplements at our horses because it promises X, Y, Z, it comes in a pretty package, or a professional is slingin' it. The reality is, most people are over-supplementing and wasting their money. In evaluating the entire diet, we can save ourselves a lot of time and money.🌱
