Enter our 12 Days of Christmas Giveaways here!
SubscribeGift a Sub
Enable cache 100
Horse Nutrition

Video: How to Evaluate Hay Quality

Do you know how to evaluate hay quality to determine if the hay you are purchasing is really right for your horse? As we move into fall and winter, horse owners need to make sure they have enough hay of good quality to feed through the cold months. Amy Burk, PhD, MS, an associate professor in the Department of Animal and Avian Sciences at the University of Maryland has put together a new video lecture on how to evaluate hay quality and what kinds of hay are best for different horses. This is one of the most requested presentation topics on horse care at the University of Maryland.



The presentation covers:

  • When to feed hay
  • Types of hay
  • How hay is made
  • Ways to predict hay quality
  • Differences in hay cuts and what to look for when choosing hay
  • How to get a chemical analysis of hay
  • How to help the horse when you have low-quality hay
  • Nutrient requirements of horses
  • How to match hay samples to a horse’s nutrient requirements



Knowing more can help you purchase the right type of hay for the winter and all year round.

Read more:

Horse Illustrated

Horse Illustrated is the magazine for people who are passionate about horses. Each issue offers advice on horse health and care, plus user-friendly training tips for both English and western riders and engaging lifestyle features for horse lovers.

Recent Posts

Barn Banter – Episode 39

Welcome to Barn Banter, the official podcast of Horse Illustrated. In Barn Banter episode 39, hosts Susan Friedland and Horse Illustrated…

15 hours ago

Debunking 5 Common Horsemanship Myths

Have you ever wondered why your horse seems reluctant to be caught, or why he feels tense under saddle? The…

16 hours ago

EquiFest of Kansas 2026 Features an Exciting New Lineup, Cultural Showcases, and More

EquiFest of Kansas 2026 returns with its most dynamic and culturally rich program to date, featuring brand-new entertainment, elite competitions,…

4 days ago

ASPCA Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week: Tundra

Welcome to Horse Illustrated’s weekly installment of the Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week, offered in partnership with the…

4 days ago

New Year Riding Goals

Learn how to set and achieve your New Year riding goals with this excerpt, adapted from Fit & Focused in…

5 days ago

How Jessie Dowling’s Mongol Derby Adventure Paved the Way to More

The Mongol Derby—the longest horse race in the world—is undeniably an adventure of a lifetime. Riders cover over 1,000 kilometers as…

1 week ago