Nutrition of the horse is an important aspect of horse care. For those that have horses and are feeding them, chances are they are making use of at least one form of hay or chaff. Perhaps they’re even feeding both. It’s worth considering why these variations in roughage are fed to the horse.
Aren’t Hay and Chaff the Same?
Compare lucerne hay with lucerne chaff. Surely they’re the same thing. With regards to what the horse is consuming, lucerne chaff and lucerne hay should generally offer the same properties – a high amount of calcium and protein as well as a good source of roughage.
The difference comes in how they are prepared that may play a bearing on why one is chosen over another. Some prefer to feed their horses hay whilst others lean towards the use of chaff.
Feeding Hay to the Horse
Hay can be particularly beneficial for horses that aren’t given a lot of feed, are stabled or in a yard or don’t have a lot in their paddock. This is because hay takes awhile for the horse to consume. Consequently, they’re eating longer and given less opportunity to be bored, get into trouble or consume things that they shouldn’t, such as bedding or dirt.
For those focused on price, hay can also be a more cost effective source of roughage for the horse. The downfall may be that to save money, large amounts often need to be purchased and then storage may become an issue. How the hay is provided to the horse should also be considered.
Considering Chaff as the Roughage Source
Feeding the horse chaff over hay can be beneficial as it provides a roughage source that can be mixed in with the horse’s usual grain, pellets or other feedstuffs. Chaff can be particularly good to mix with some molasses and water, concealing a medication that needs to be administered orally to the horse.
It is easy to increase or decrease the amount of chaff the horse is being fed without too much bother. A downfall may be the price of bags of chaff and considering where the feed can be kept so that it is away from the wet and any possible vermin that may chew through feed bags.
Whether feeding hay to the horse or chaff, a few factors will obviously come into play. The quality of the feed should be seriously considered, with the colour being healthy and dust and mould not evident. After this, consider the horse’s preference and the environment in which it is being fed, the cost of the feed and any storage concerns.
Chris Thomas - C. Thomas has studied and worked with horses since 2001. She teaches horse studies part time and is undertaking an Equine Science ...
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