What is the best hay to feed my horse?
There is no one ‘best’ type of hay, but there are logical decisions that will lead you to the best alternative. First, you have to feed what is available to your area. In Oklahoma, there are a vast variety of hays; the predominant types are alfalfa, bermudagrass, bluestem and native or prairie grass hay. These hays are grown in large quantities in Oklahoma and surrounding states. Each is different in its expected content of nutrients of energy, protein, minerals and vitamins, and different in cost. Alfalfa, a legume, is high in protein, and will contain more energy per pound than the others that are grass hays. As such, those owners feeding horses needing nutrient dense rations, such as producing and growing horses, will routinely use alfalfa as the sole hay or in combination with grass hays. Alfalfa, however, costs more and there is the possibility of undesirable insects (blister beetles) in alfalfa, so some use grass hays as the sole source of hay. Bermudagrass hay and other ‘improve
