The difference between hay, pre-cut and silage

Roughage for horses comes in different forms. From small bales of dry herbal hay to large packages of plastic-wrapped silage or pre-cut silage. What are actually the differences in nutritional value between these various types of 'packaged grass'? And: what is the best for your horse?

Roughage is vital for horses. The fibers from roughage are the main source of energy for the digestive system. In the large intestine of your horse, a wide range of microorganisms convert the fibers into volatile fatty acids. These are then absorbed by the intestines and used for energy supply, heat production, building materials, and vitamins. Fiber-rich roughage is therefore super important for the health of a horse.

From ryegrass to natural hay

Most of the roughage we give to horses in the Netherlands comes from grassland. Sometimes it is monotonous 'cow grass' like English ryegrass, which grows in dense production pastures. Sometimes it is long-stemmed poor hay from herb-rich natural grasslands, or something in between. The difference in nutritional value between the two extremes is enormous. This is due to the composition of plants in it, the amount of sugar and protein, the amount of minerals and vitamins, and the packaging method. Horses naturally eat all kinds of herbs and plants, so roughage from only one or two types of grass does not align very well.

Packaging method

Dry hay is dried and turned for several days depending on the weather conditions. When it is really dry, the hay is 'baled' with strings and stored in a dry location. This requires several sunny days, sometimes up to a week. And it requires a covered hay storage. Silage grass is dried for a short period and then wrapped in plastic. Wet silage is suitable for cows, but not for horses. Pre-cut silage, also called wrapped hay, is dried and turned for several days and then packed in plastic bales. This is a kind of intermediate form between hay and silage.

Fermentation

All roughage that is packed in plastic bales will ferment a little (or more). Due to the lack of oxygen, lactic acid bacteria - naturally present in the grass - ferment the sugars in the grass. The grass must still be slightly moist for this to work properly, otherwise the process will not go well. Then mold develops. The fermentation helps to preserve the silage or pre-cut silage and makes it more durable. A bit like sauerkraut or yogurt. Real silage is too wet and acidic for horses and therefore unsuitable for feeding. Pre-cut silage varies greatly in acidity and moisture content. It is often purchased because it can be conveniently stored outside and is delivered in large bales. In addition, plastic-wrapped hay often contains less dust than dry hay.

Pre-cut silage: tasty but not great

Many horses find lightly fermented pre-cut silage very tasty. But this type of roughage is not very suitable for their unique digestive system. The pH (acidity) of pre-cut silage is lower than that of hay and grass. This causes acidification in the digestive system and a disturbance of the intestinal flora, which is crucial for fiber digestion. In addition, a lower acidity level causes your horse to use more minerals, such as magnesium and calcium. The minerals neutralize the acid. This can lead to your horse having a mineral deficiency and extracting them from its bones or teeth.

Nutritional value of hay and pre-cut

Pre-cut silage contains about 20% more water than dry hay. You will need to feed more kilograms of it to provide the same amount of fiber. Dry hay can be given unlimitedly because it mainly consists of fibers, this is convenient because you don't want your horse to be without roughage for more than a few hours. With pre-cut silage, which contains more proteins, the risk of overfeeding and having overweight horses is greater. Dry hay usually contains more sugar per kilo than pre-cut silage. In general, pre-cut silage contains fewer vitamins and minerals than hay. But only by doing a roughage analysis can you know the actual nutritional values! That's why we always recommend analyzing your roughage batch.

Conclusion: prefer hay over pre-cut for your horse

If you have the option to feed dry hay, that is the better choice for your horse. This is because of the more consistent quality of dry hay (no risk of molds, for example), the lower protein content, and the better digestibility. Pre-cut silage is often fed by larger stables because it is easier to store and cheaper than dry hay. Is your horse in a large stable where pre-cut silage is mainly fed? Then it is a good idea to give a semi-annual herbal cure that supports digestion. Herbs such as hawthorn, yellow gentian, wormwood, and cat's claw protect the intestinal wall, support kidney function, and promote internal cleansing.

Attention!
Have you also noticed that the hay this year is low in protein and in many cases high in sugar? Hay from Dutch soil really needs to be tested this year to see if it is suitable for horses!