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 Expert
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| Had some " orchard " grass hay delivered today. It doesn't look like i was expecting. There is a spattering of wide blade orchard grass BUT the bale primarily looks like Bermuda! I called and they insist its orchard. I only fed a handful of it with their regular alfalfa and they seem to love it. I don't want to be over dramatic but I don't like Bermuda and that's sure what it looks like to me. Have you ever heard of thin stemmed orchard? Thanks! |
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 Tried and True
Posts: 21185
Location: Where I am happiest | Absolutelly. You most likely got second cutting which would be thin blade. |
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Expert
Posts: 5290
| Ok. Perfect. I guess I have always had first cutting orchard that was wider stem and flatter. Not so fine. So here is my next question, will thin stemmed second cutting orchard ball up in the intestine just like Bermuda can? |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 851
Location: West Texas | FLITASTIC - 2015-12-21 8:12 AM
Ok. Perfect. I guess I have always had first cutting orchard that was wider stem and flatter. Not so fine. So here is my next question, will thin stemmed second cutting orchard ball up in the intestine just like Bermuda can?
Here is an opinion on Bermuda for consideration:
Just like all the bad press that alfalfa has gotten over the years, I think Bermuda is getting some misinformation out there. Do you know how many horses are fed Bermuda daily in this country? I am not Bermuda's biggest fan, I will assure you, but I do want to point out it is not the colic death trap that has been floating around. Not all Bermuda is fine bladeded. Also, I do think that Bermuda does have a higher risk of impaction colic, BUT...I believe it is the coarse, low quality, late cut grass that is mostly responsible for this. In most parts of the country that grows Bermuda, it requires a lot of fertilization for high protein, high digestibility. Also, if it is not cut early enough, it loses quality quickly. Therefore, most of the colics that occur with it, are due to late cut, low digestible hay. If it is heavily fertilized and cut early, I don't think it has near the risk. I think this is true with almost all grass hay, but Bermuda especially. My favorite Bermuda is Tifton and it does seem to be much coarser.
Edited by Tdove 2015-12-21 9:26 AM
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Expert
Posts: 5290
| I don't doubt it. I guess out here in CA we get the type of Bermuda that does cause more problems. My vet says that certain breeds also are more prone like Arabians. But I also live close by to one of the most premier equine hospitals in the country and they strongly advise against it. In wish I could feed it as its so much cheaper than my 25.00 a bale orchard alfalfa mix! Lol I started mixing my own and that's what got me to this point. Lol I'm not against Bermuda. Just the stuff we have out here that is soooooo fine stemmed. |
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The Advice Guru
Posts: 6419
| FLITASTIC - 2015-12-21 8:12 AM
Ok. Perfect. I guess I have always had first cutting orchard that was wider stem and flatter. Not so fine. So here is my next question, will thin stemmed second cutting orchard ball up in the intestine just like Bermuda can?
I have fed second cut orchard grass, never had a problem.
I also don't think you would have any problems with any sort of grass hay because of your feeding program.
Since 80 percent of performance horses have ulcers, this tells me the hind gut is not working properly, with your program you have now got that hind gut functioning at an optimal level, therefore your horses should be able to digest the hay properly.
I can't remember if yours are fed 24/7, if they are this also reduces a risk, as horses who have access 24/7 eat slower allowing for more time to digest versus a horse who only gets fed 2/day.
If I remember correct you also feed a bit of alfalfa, which also has laxative properties which would help move the grass hay through.
On another note can you post a picture of the hay as I am having a hard time visualizing a thin stemmed orchard grass. |
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 Champ
Posts: 19623
Location: Peg-Leg Julia Grimm | Orchard grass is a very common type of grass grown for hay around here. The first cutting is more coarse and stemmy. The second and third cutting is soft and can be fine flat blade with very little stem. I would think that there is more to it than just the type of grass hay you're feeding. Like how much water is the animal drinking, what condition are their teeth and are they in good health digestion wise. |
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Expert
Posts: 5290
| cheryl makofka - 2015-12-21 9:10 AM
FLITASTIC - 2015-12-21 8:12 AM
Ok. Perfect. I guess I have always had first cutting orchard that was wider stem and flatter. Not so fine. So here is my next question, will thin stemmed second cutting orchard ball up in the intestine just like Bermuda can?
I have fed second cut orchard grass, never had a problem.
I also don't think you would have any problems with any sort of grass hay because of your feeding program.
Since 80 percent of performance horses have ulcers, this tells me the hind gut is not working properly, with your program you have now got that hind gut functioning at an optimal level, therefore your horses should be able to digest the hay properly.
I can't remember if yours are fed 24/7, if they are this also reduces a risk, as horses who have access 24/7 eat slower allowing for more time to digest versus a horse who only gets fed 2/day.
If I remember correct you also feed a bit of alfalfa, which also has laxative properties which would help move the grass hay through.
On another note can you post a picture of the hay as I am having a hard time visualizing a thin stemmed orchard grass.
My only question here is if different cuttings of orchard hay look different. Lol I am a devout Curost user for the past 4 months and my horses look and feel amazing. Their hind guys are working at an optimum level as we speak. Very clean diet! Whole oats, Curost, and small amount of rice bran with 24/7 access to alfalfa and orchard grass hay. It's all good! I had just not seen this type of orchard and my question was answered. It's first cutting. |
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Meanest Teacher!!!
Posts: 8552
Location: sunny california | I got some timothy hay in that has a bunch of meadow type grass in it as well. it was supposed to be premium timothy and it is not. it is nice hay but the fine stuff has a little bit different seed head on it, so it is not timothy. what stage was yours cut at? if it has seed heads check those and see if they are the same |
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 Double Standards Don't Fly
Posts: 1283
Location: At the barn | Orchard can be pretty fine but it's not round like Bermuda. And I agree about disliking Bermuda, its notorious for impacting horses. But fine orchard can too. So I feed some Alfalfa with it. |
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