02/04/2025
Wondering how to read a hay test? 🧐 We’ve got you covered! ⤵️
As Sampled vs. Dry Matter:
As Sampled: Reports nutrients in the natural state (w/ moisture)
Dry Matter: Reports nutrients with moisture removed
Moisture: Moisture is the water content of the hay. Ideally around 10-15%; less than 10% may be on the drier side & contain less nutrients; higher then 17% risks molding.
Protein (Crude Protein): (For adult horses) ideally between 10-12%; for horses that are high-intensity, younger, or broodmares a higher CP is needed.
CP can range from 8 to 14% in grass hays - 14 to 17% in mixed hays - 15 to >20% in legume hay such as alfalfa.
Acid Detergent Fiber (ADF): ADF shows the cellulose and ligin; aka measures how digestible the hay is. Most ADF values should be between 30-45%. Lower the ADF is, the more digestible the nutrients of the hay are.
Neutral Detergent Fiber (NDF): NDF shows cellulose, hemicellulose, and ligin. The higher the NDF levels more then likely the less the horse will eat. Between 40-65% is generally the ideal ranges.
Non Structural Carbs (NSC)(WSC + Starch): NSC is the result of the analysis between the starches and sugars. To find out the NSC of the hay, it is
WSC + Starch = NSC
Typically, in order for a hay to be considered low NSC, it must have less then 12%.
Nitrates: Nitrates are a normal plant protein that is absorbed from the soil. High levels of nitrates can pose certain risks toward animals. Typically, it is ideal for hay to be under 1,000ppm.
DE: Digestible Energy is a calculation that take all aspects of nutrients into consideration and is used to balance the energy portion of a diet. Most hay will range 0.76Mcal- 1.1Mcal. However, horses is different working classes will require different measurements of DE.
🚨Remember every hay is different based off where it’s grown or how/when it’s harvested, etc.…which is why it is important to test and check!
We have tests available upon request for most of our hay offerings. Stop by and let us help you feed your furry friends right!
