Oaten Hay Round Bales 4’ x 3’
Oat is a cereal crop and oaten hay is considered as a reasonable fodder option for horses. This is a premium quality full-flavored hay with high fiber content and is a good source of digestible energy depending on the stage of maturity at harvest. Though it has got a nuty and crunchy flavor, it's hard, thick and rough stalks make it quite chewy which is why some horses prefer other hay over oaten.
Despite its rough texture, oaten hay is a superior fodder option for horses as it helps digestive health and promotes enhanced teeth quality. Though these are easily digestible due to its high fiber content, some often reject these due to high starch level.
This is a good source of energy but oaten is often avoided by some horse owners and in some cases the animal itself rejects feeding on it.
Pros
- Oat hay is good for horses who are underweight, growing, sensitive to carbohydrates, have gastric ulcer, breeding, lactating or late in pregnancy.
- Oats are perfect for animals, especially herbivores who need high fiber and low protein.
- Regular consumption of oat hay improves gut health of the horses.
- Oats increase chewing time with gnawing activity which keeps teeth clean.
- Besides high fiber content, oat hay is rich in vital nutrients, vitamins, minerals and other supplements.
- Pure oat is rarely sold, rather it is blended with wheat, barley and other crops to enhance its nutritional value.
- These are not only beneficial for horses but also advantageous for cattle, sheep, goats, camels, rabbits and guinea pigs if included in their regular diet in specific amounts.
Cons
- Firstly, pure oaten hay is pricier and not easily available. Rather, oat blended with other hay is nutritionally beneficial, pocket-friendly and readily available as well.
- Due to its thicker and harder strands some horses refuse to eat oat hay.
- Oats have the ability to store more starch than any other hay. It has 30% more starch and water soluble carbohydrates(WSC), which is collectively known as Non-Structural carbohydrate or NSC. Hence, these for those horses who require a low NSC diet.
- Oat hay is high in fructan levels. But high fructan might cause behavioral changes among horses, excessive gassiness and mild colic as well.