Forage analyses as a base of feeding of horses

The data from ten years showed large variation between years and samples in the chemical composition and feed values for both hay and haylage. For example, the average CP varied from 7.2 (sd=2.3) to 8.5% (sd=3.2), and from 8.7 (sd=2.6) to 10.7% (sd=3.6), for hay and haylage samples, respectively. Also the variation between the individual samples was quite large within year, with a coefficient of variation of 34.5% for all forage samples. Comparison of the forage feed analysis data to the needs of various horse categories showed that it is necessary to know the true feed values of the feeds to balance the diets. About 17% of the haylages and 6% of hays can be considered ‘high nutritional quality’ (average ME 9.9 MJ, CP ≥11%) and were suitable for forage-only diets of horses in training. About one fourth of both of the haylges and hays were of ‘medium nutritional quality’ (DODM 60-65, ME 9.1-9.9 MJ, CP 7-10%). Concerning phosphorus and many trace minerals the analyzed values were much lower than the values given in feed tables. The result show that there is a risk of under or over feeding of horses in various categories concerning many nutrients, if the real composition and feed values are not known or considered. Thus, a forage analyses provides a good tool to compose balanced diets of horses.