Alfalfa hay is notably high in starch, and Timothy and Bermuda hay also contain significant starch levels when compared to other common hay types like oat hay.
Understanding the starch content of different hays is crucial, particularly for horses with specific dietary needs, such as those prone to laminitis or insulin resistance, where low-starch diets are often recommended. The amount of starch can vary based on the type of forage.
To illustrate the starch content, here is a comparison of various hay types:
| Hay Pellet Type | % Starch + % ESC |
|---|---|
| Alfalfa | 14.5 |
| Timothy | 10.6 |
| Bermuda | 9.3 |
| Oat | 6.0 |
As shown in the table, Alfalfa hay stands out with the highest starch content among the listed varieties at 14.5%. Following Alfalfa, Timothy hay has a considerable starch percentage of 10.6%, and Bermuda hay also presents a notable level at 9.3%. In contrast, Oat hay has a lower starch content, registering at 6.0%.
For horse owners managing diets, these figures highlight that not all hays are equal in terms of their starch contribution. Selecting hay with appropriate starch levels is an important aspect of equine nutrition and health management.
