Alfalfa/Orchard Grass hay forage is another blend of mixed hay forages, quite popular in the Eastern United States in particular.  It is getting more known in the Pacific Northwest within the last few years.  This particular blend of hay forages would be and should be considered a maintenance level to a performance level of forage.  This blend of hay forages is challenging to grow, as one type of forage can be aggressively dominant in different parts of the hay field, making for bales of hay with similar dominance.  A common blend would be 70% orchard grass and 30% alfalfa.  Animals needing a specific diet regimen would not be recommended for this type of forage, with potential variances because of the blends of hay forages.  This type of forage is not recommended for animals that are insulin resistant. Animals needing extra energy requirements would be an excellent choice for this type of hay forage.  Standlee Hay Company has two cuttings of this hay forage blend, 1st and 2nd cuttings only.

Protein - Not Less Than 14%
Crude Fat - Not Less Than 1%
Crude Fiber - Not More Than 32%
Moisture - Not More Than 12%

*Persons requiring a more detailed analysis to make informed decisions about their animals feeding regimen should have their own individual analysis completed.

The most important thing in a horse’s diet is water. Provide plenty of fresh clean water at all times.  All forage grazing animals need long stem forage in their diets. The long stem forages can be supplemented with hay forages made into cubes and pellets. We recommend that you feed by weight and not by volume.  1-2% of a horse’s weight should be fed daily in hay forages.  This amount may vary depending on the animal’s needs and the horse’s activity.  Therefore, if a horse weighs 1,000lbs and is a performance horse, 20lbs of forage would be sufficient, however, consult with a veterinarian or nutritionist for selected forage types and specific needs for your animal(s).  Make feed changes gradually over a period of 7 days.