Second cut hay???

[Firefilly]

Does anyone feed second cut hay to their horses? But in round bale form? Good idea? Bad idea? Why or why not???

P.S. I used to feed second cut hay to my aged thoroughbred mare that had ulcers, but that was in the small squares, and she has since passed on. However, I have the option of getting some second cut when it's ready - should I go that route? This is strictly for round bales.... someone who rescues draft horses told me that she strictly feeds second cut hay to the drafts - and drafts are what I have now.....

[Fantastic]

What kind of hay is it? 2nd cutting should be fine. Lots of people do it.

In general, the higher the cutting, the more fine, leafy, shorter stalked (length of grass) the hay is. More leafy means less roughage. Less roughage can mean loose stools, poopy butts, and poopy blanket straps. However, it depends on the horse and what you personally prefer.

I feed Orchard and Alfalfa. For Orchard, I personally prefer 1st cutting. It has more stem than 2nd or 3rd cutting. My top competition horse cannot stomach fine hay; he get's diaharea. The main reason that I prefer 1st cutting Orchard is because 1) no diaharea problems, and 2) they don't inhale it like it's cotton candy; takes longer to eat. If I end up with fine 2nd cutting for some reason, the horse with the sensitive tummy is also fed a bit of stemming alfalfa. That seems to firm up his poop enough to stop the runs.

If it is 2nd cutting Orchard in round bale form where they'll eat it free choice, the only hesitation I'd have is that they'll inhale it really fast and might get too fat on free choice 2nd.

[shakeytails]

Why would it be any different if it's round baled instead of square??? It the same hay, just a different baler.

Sure, I feed first, second and third cuttings. We don't round bale third (if we get a third) because I prefer to have that in squares for my inside crew. We square most of the second cutting too but we'll round bale it if it's the only way to get it before rain.

I tend to save 2nd cutting round bales for the dead of winter when they need higher quality hay, feeding 1st cutting for when they still have grass in the early winter and spring.

[deltawave]

I feed mostly first cutting, some 2nd or 3rd cutting, depending on which is the better quality each year. I get first dibs from my hay guy. :D

Typically the 1st cutting is lower in protein and calories, so I use it as my primary "staple" forage. The later stuff can be very high in nutrients so I usually don't feed as much, although it is more palatable and the mares eat it first.

FWIW, all my hay is orchard hay.

[Katy Watts]

I don't agree with anything anyone has said. Cutting does not matter. Fertilizer use and environmental conditions are far more important factors to nutritional quality of hay than cutting. Some of the lowest NSC hay I've seen have been second cutting grown in hot weather, properly fertilized and irrigated. Can be fed free choice to easy keepers with no problems. Here in Colorado, the first cutting grown under cool spring conditions is often higher in NSC, and often protein too because the farmers fertilize early spring. If they don't fertilize again mid summer, then N is too low to make protein. But if they topdress some N, second and even 3rd cutting may have high protein, too.
Katy

[deltawave]

Let me amend my post, then, to say IN MY AREA and FOR AS LONG AS I'VE BEEN BUYING HAY the 1st cutting is typically lower in protein (often half the value) and other nutrients, and calories, when compared to later cuttings. :) YMMV.

[Katy Watts]

DW, I think I remember you saying you buy alf/grass mix. The grass would grow earlier than the alfalfa, so first cutting usually has the most grass. If all the N was coming from organic matter recyling, CProtein would be higher in warmer weather later on, and there would be more alfalfa in later cuttings.

But for straight grass hays relying on application of fertilizer, those cuttings closest to the application would be highest in CP. So still, cutting doesn't matter across the board, although it might form a pattern IN AN INDIVIDUAL FEILD. Its about weather and management practices.

[pricestory]

Because of a very wet spring, all the first cutting local hay was put up late and was too mature. I'm waiting for 2nd cutting. Also hope that it is lower NSC because of the heat.

[deltawave]

Nope, straight orchard. Where I used to board they made their own and it was a combo of alfalfa/grass, though. Between you, me and the fencepost it was all fair quality at best no matter when it was cut. :)

Around here you can almost count on the first cutting coming out of the fields a little late because late May/early June are usually VERY wet. So a post-mature 1st cutting is routine. And I believe my hay guy fertilizes heavily after the 1st cutting, which would explain the glory of the 2nd cutting. And why my mares will fling entire flakes of the early stuff out of the feeder to get one mouthful of the later cuttings! :lol: