Forages for Horses

Question 1

what is a forage?

Answer 1

edible plant part, excluding the grain, to feed to livestock that can be harvested/stored

Question 2

forage may include what?

Answer 2

leaves, stems, and some roots

Question 3

how can forage be stored?

Answer 3

hay, silage, balage, stockpiled

Question 4

how are forages classified?

Answer 4

growing season, growth cycle, family

Question 5

why do we care how forages are classified?

Answer 5

quality, meeting horses needs, avoiding issues or toxicities

Question 6

perennial vs. annual?

Answer 6

annuals only live for a year

Question 7

what about biennials?

Answer 7

lives for 2 years

Question 8

what qualities are important?

Answer 8

leaf to stem ratio, CP

Question 9

forage systems for horses utilize what?

Answer 9

pasture and hay

Question 10

forage systems for horses are usually what?

Answer 10

overstocked and overlooked

Question 11

pastures are the most important part of the ____ that are usually overlooked?

Answer 11

diet

Question 12

what do pastures provide?

Answer 12

areas for exercise, low-cost method for providing nutrients, socialize time

Question 13

what is the proper stocking rate?

Answer 13

1.5-2 acres per horse

Question 14

how can we improve our pastures?

Answer 14

proper stocking rate to avoid overgrazing, pasture rest, drag pastures to spread manure

Question 15

what is the moisture range for hay?

Answer 15

12-15%

Question 16

hay is best for what class of horses?

Answer 16

non-lactating and maintenance (others may need more supplementation)

Question 17

name a few misconceptions about hay?

Answer 17

color does not equal quality; unpleasant odors or colors, fine-stemmed hay, avoid dust

Question 18

what is the main form of forage supplementation?

Answer 18

cubes and pellets

Question 19

why is forage quality so important for horses?

Answer 19

they are hindgut fermenters so without forage the cecum isn’t efficient, smaller stomach=limited intake= higher quality feeds needed

Question 20

nutritional needs vary based on what?

Answer 20

age, working class, stage of production

Question 21

T/F: TDN for cattle is the same as TDN for horses?

Answer 21

false

Question 22

hare energy requirements for horses the same as other species?

Answer 22

no; we use DE, Kcal, etc.

Question 23

what is the rule of thumb for TDN?

Answer 23

horse TDN is usually 14 points lower, but no true way to convert it

Question 24

crude protein in plants ____ with age?

Answer 24

decreases

Question 25

fiber in plants ____ with age?

Answer 25

increases

Question 26

how do we measure quality of CP?

Answer 26

grasses vs. legumes

Question 27

how do we measure quality of fiber?

Answer 27

NDF and ADF

Question 28

RFQ takes what into account?

Answer 28

fiber digestibility

Question 29

how do we measure forage quality?

Answer 29

hay test from the same lot (know how to sample round vs. square bale)

Question 30

Alabama is what temp range?

Answer 30

humid

Question 31

upper south ulitizes what forages?

Answer 31

cool-season (orchardgrass, KY Bluegrass, timothy)

Question 32

lower south uses what forage?

Answer 32

warm seasons (bermuda and bahia)

Question 33

the south has plenty of rainfall which means what about the soil?

Answer 33

very acidic (important to soil test)

Question 34

how do we manage forage availability and quality?

Answer 34

soil testing and grazing plants

Question 35

when it comes to soil testing, hay fields require more or less than pastures?

Answer 35

more; pastures every 3-4 yeatrs

Question 36

what is the cheapest way to improve your forage system?

Answer 36

lime; creates more neutral pH

Question 37

what is pH critical for?

Answer 37

longevity and growth

Question 38

what is the pH range for forages?

Answer 38

5.8-6.5

Question 39

orchardgrass?

Answer 39

cool season, perennial (not grazing tolerant)

Question 40

timothy

Answer 40

cool-season perennial (sensitive grass)

Question 41

kentucky bluegrass

Answer 41

cool-season perennial (propagates via. rhizomes; tolerant of close grazing)

Question 42

bermudagrass

Answer 42

warm-season perennial (spreads by stolons, sprigging)

Question 43

bahiagrass

Answer 43

warm-season perennial (rhizomes)

Question 44

tall fescue

Answer 44

cool-season perennial (Dr. EN Fergus 1931)

Question 45

alfalfa

Answer 45

cool-season perennial legumes

Question 46

clovers

Answer 46

cool seasons

Question 47

what is a common issue with red clover?

Answer 47

slaframine=slobbers (fungus found incudes savliation_

Question 48

name cool-season annuals/cereal grains?

Answer 48

wheat, oats, cereal rye, triticale

Question 49

annual ryegrass

Answer 49

cool-season annual (will grow under any conditions)

Question 50

what to be aware of with ryegrass and horses?

Answer 50

high in non-structural carbs

Question 51

what forages do we avoid with horses?

Answer 51

warm-season annuals like sudangrass, sorghum, johnsongrass (perennial), pearl millet and endophyte infected tall fescue

Question 52

Ywhy do we avoid these warm-season annuals?

Answer 52

susceptible to metabolite accumulation like prussic acid and nitrates

Question 53

what forage is assoaciated with fescue toxicosis?

Answer 53

KY 31 Tall Fescue

Question 54

the endophyte in KY 31 produces what fungus?

Answer 54

ergovaline

Question 55

what does ergovaline affect?

Answer 55

vasoconstriction, reproduction, hair shedding (mainly cattle)

Question 56

who is at risk for fescue toxicosis?

Answer 56

pregnant mares (abortion, prolonged pregnancy, agalactia)

Question 57

how do we mitigate fescue toxicosis?

Answer 57

grazing non-endophyte infected varieties, use other forages