What To Feed With Bluegrass Big Bales??

LKR · Postby **LKR** » Sun Nov 09, 2008 12:21 am

Bluegrass tests 10% protein. What, besides a bagged feed could be fed to beef up the protein levels fed?? I will be supplementing with a pelleted vitamin/mineral formulated for the NW area, salt blocks and mineral blocks free choice. Some of the horses don't need grain, they are easy keepers.

madelyn · Postby **madelyn** » Sun Nov 09, 2008 7:12 am

Soybean meal.

justatrainer · Postby **justatrainer** » Sun Nov 09, 2008 7:26 pm

alfalfa,21%

LKR · Postby **LKR** » Mon Nov 10, 2008 6:23 am

We have alfalfa and have been feeding it. However, it is $260 a ton right now and the bluegrass is $120.00 We plan on feeding a small amount of alfalfa with the bluegrass and feed grain to the pregnant mares and the young stock. The grain is 14% protein. Those getting grain will be fine, I just wanted to bump up the protein for the dry mares. Has anyone fed the
supplements that come in the 60lb, 125lb and 250lb tubs? IF so, how diid they work for you?

justatrainer · Postby **justatrainer** » Mon Nov 10, 2008 9:42 am

I think you are talking Bumuda Grass Hay. It is very low in Calcium. What about another Grass Hay Like Orchard Grass and Alfalfa? How many horses do you have? Sounds like too many to feed well. Sell some?

LKR · Postby **LKR** » Mon Nov 10, 2008 12:33 pm

Around here, and we are in the middle of Washington State, they call this bluegrass. I have fed orchard grass before and this isn't orchard grass. The horses are eating it. It is very fine stemmed and soft. 4X8 bales weigh 1000 lbs. each. What does bermuda grass look like??

Tiz · Postby **Tiz** » Mon Nov 10, 2008 5:21 pm

Is it bluegrass straw or hay? Does it have any color? I'm thinking of stretching our hay with it, but haven't seen it. What do you think?

justatrainer · Postby **justatrainer** » Mon Nov 10, 2008 7:57 pm

Horses don't like it they will waste it, you will see them walking on it. You will be wasting your money and they will lose weight. Besides it is not appropriate for young horses.You could get growth problems.

walaa · Postby **walaa** » Mon Nov 10, 2008 8:37 pm

which hay are you talking about for the wasting it, ? and the problems with young ones, the bluegrass they are talking about or the bermuda? or the orchard grass?

LKR · Postby **LKR** » Tue Nov 11, 2008 7:11 am

At this time, they are eating it just fine. It has a light green color and with grain and their vitamin/min. supplement, should do fine. The young stock is being fed top alfalfa hay and grain. I will update in a couple of weeks how everyone is doing on this.