Hay Testing Options
- Complimentary Hay Testing - (only available predetermined dates in the fall)
- Lab Analyzed Hay Testing - (available year round, minimum $40 charge)
Complimentary Hay Testing (only available predetermined dates in the fall):
A broad overview of the hay to give a baseline in balancing a horse’s diet
- Offered in house at The Mill
- Customers will need to:
- Call either Michelle Jennings or Kelley Nash to arrange for testing
- Michelle Jennings (410-952-4681)
- Kelley Nash (443-981-1352)
- You will be instructed to bring a quart sized, Ziplock bag sample of your hay to The Mill store nearest you on a specific day, as arranged by your conversation with Michelle or Kelley
- Call either Michelle Jennings or Kelley Nash to arrange for testing
- Results, typically, within a week
- Complimentary = No Charge 😊
- Results include:
- Crude Protein – A very important number to know that is used in balancing the protein aspect of a horses’ diet
- ADF – (Acid Detergent Fiber) Reveals the DIGESTIBILITY of the hay. Example: Of the hay that the horse actually consumes, what percentage of that hay is the horse able to digest
- NDF – (Neutral Detergent Fiber) Reveals the CONSUMABILITY of the hay. Example: What percentage of the hay is the horse most likely to eat
- Equine Digestibility Fiber or kcal/lb – (Digestible Energy) Another very important number to know that is used to balance the calorie aspect of a horses’ diet
Lab Analyzed Hay Testing (available year round, minimum $40 charge): A detailed analysis of the hay for more finetuned and specific diet balancing. Highly recommended if managing horses with metabolic conditions.
- One of our Equine Specialists will come to your farm and core several bales of hay
- Samples are sent to an outside laboratory for analysis
- Results, typically, within 2 weeks
- $40
- Results include:
- Crude Protein
- ADF
- NDF
- Digestible Energy
-
Complete breakdown of the micronutrients
- Calcium
- Phosphorus
- Magnesium
- Potassium
- Sodium
- Iron
- Zinc
- Copper
- Manganese
- Molybdenum
- Nonstructural Carbohydrates – Sugars and Starches are VERY important to be aware of and to manage, especially for horses with metabolic issues or are prone to tying up.
