The Importance of Forage Analysis for Your Horse's Health
- Honos Nutrition Co.
- Oct 24, 2025
- 4 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
Selecting suitable forage is the foundation of every feed program. Hay analysis plays a vital role in assessing forage suitability and balancing your horse's diet. As horse owners, we are becoming increasingly aware of the benefits of forage analysis. This awareness has led to many frequently asked questions. So, let’s dive into this topic together!
Understanding Hay Analysis
What is Hay Analysis?
Hay analysis involves testing hay samples to determine their nutritional content. This process helps us understand what we are feeding our horses. It can reveal important information about calories, protein, fiber, and minerals present in the forage. Knowing these details allows us to make informed decisions about our horses' diets.
Why is Forage Important?
Forage is essential for a horse's digestive health. It provides the necessary fiber that keeps their digestive system functioning properly. Without adequate forage, horses can face various health issues, including colic and laminitis. Therefore, ensuring that we provide high-quality forage is crucial for our horses' overall well-being.
Fact or Fiction: Common Myths About Hay Analysis
Fact or Fiction: I Can Estimate Nutrient Contents Based on Cutting and Appearance
Fiction: A chemical analysis is the only way to know the true nutritional quality of your hay. While visual appraisal can help identify the species and maturity of the hay, it cannot accurately predict mineral or sugar content.
Fact or Fiction: I NEED to Have a Hay Analysis Done
Fiction: While hay analysis is always recommended, it may not always be practical. If you frequently change hay types or cannot store hay for more than 2-3 months, repeated testing may not be feasible. In such cases, consider exploring alternative hay storage options. Consistency in forage can significantly reduce the risk of colic. Working with an equine nutrition professional can help you identify local mineral trends for the best-matched recommendations when hay analysis is not practical or economically feasible.
Fact or Fiction: Only Wet Chemistry Analysis is Accurate
Fiction: The accepted techniques for hay analysis include both wet chemistry and near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS). There has been recent concern regarding the accuracy of chemical analysis procedures. However, NIRS can be accurate when calibrated correctly with wet chemistry data. A study by Harris et al. (2018) found a good correlation between wet chemistry and NIRS analysis for all paired subsamples.
Most quality equine forage packages will cost between $65-75 CAD, depending on the lab. These packages typically use wet chemistry analysis for minerals and include equine-specific calculations. If you need help selecting a lab, feel free to reach out! I’m here to help you find the right direction.
Fact or Fiction: Hay Sampling Method Matters
Fact: If you're not sampling hay correctly, there’s no point in paying for a lab analysis. Reputable labs will reject samples that are not collected properly.
"Sampling is the major factor affecting the accuracy of forage quality analyses." - Fulgueira et al. (2007).
The correct way to collect a hay sample is by using a forage probe. This method samples at least 20 cores from multiple bales. Any other method will not provide an accurate, representative sample and is not recommended by evidence-based equine nutrition professionals.
A study by Bodner et al. (2016) compared chemical analyses of samples collected via forage probe versus the hand-grab method. The results showed that hand-grab samples often resulted in lower nutritional quality. Specifically, the study found:
73% (11/15) of investigated parameters were affected.
Higher fiber contents were noted.
Lower values of both macro- and microminerals were recorded.
Using the grab method can underestimate the nutrient content of your hay. This may lead to unnecessary supplementation, increasing the risk of excessive intake and potential toxicities.
Sending a sample from just one flake of hay is not representative of the entire hay lot due to variations between bales. That’s why a minimum of 20 cores is recommended when using a forage probe. Variation from sampling can be 5-10 times higher than variation in the lab (Fulgueira et al., 2007). So, if you’re investing in a hay analysis, ensure proper sampling procedures are followed.
"Never send in flakes or grab samples; it is nearly impossible for these samples to represent a hay lot." - Putnam and Orloff, NFTA.
As a NFTA Certified Forage Sampler, I am committed to following established best practices for hay testing.
How Honos Can Help
At Honos Nutrition Co., we strive to empower horse owners with knowledge. We want to be your go-to expert for science-backed, unbiased nutrition and care advice. Our goal is to help you improve your horse's health and happiness through personalized, evidence-based strategies.
Join The Forage Club
Consider joining The Forage Club! Full service hay testing & interpretation means you know exactly what's in your hay, and what you need to be balancing it with!
Explore The Feed & Forage Club [Ontario]
If you're in Ontario, you may want to check out The Feed & Forage Club! By combining individualized nutrition and hay testing, we get accurate and effective diets.
Check Out The E-Book: The Hay Factor
Don’t forget to grab the e-book, The Hay Factor! This resource is packed with valuable information on hay selection and analysis. You can find it here.
References & Recommended Reading
Bodner, A., Prunster, T., Reiterer, R., Peratoner, G. (2016). Hay sampling methods affect the results of forage analyses. Grassland Science in Europe, vol 21. 179-181.
Fulgueira, C.L., Amigot, S.L., Gaggiotti, M., Romero, L.A., Basilico, J.C. (2007). Forage Quality: Techniques for Testing. Fresh Produce 1(2). 121-131.
Harris, et al. (2018). Comparison of NIRS and Wet Chemistry Methods for the Nutritional Analysis of Haylages for Horses. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science 71: 13-20.
By understanding the importance of forage analysis, we can ensure our horses receive the best nutrition possible. Let’s work together to create healthier, happier horses!
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