I called and talked to my hayman this week. I usually buy a combination of alfalfa/blue grass and orchard grass for my pregnant mares. This year he said that his first cutting would have some chickweed in it. I Googled it and seems it is okay for horses to have some, especially to roll in for parasites but is it okay for pregnant mares to eat? I really don't find anything that says one way or the other about it. With the drought here last year and hay in short supply and expensive I don't know whether to pass on this or not? Is chickweed something that would go away by second cutting (assuming we have one that is?). He did not say how much he had in it. This man has always supplied me with very high quality hay and I appreciate him giving me the heads up on this before he drives up with 1000 bales and then tells me. Maybe the chickweed is a result of the drought conditions we had.
I would appreciate any information on this. I would hate to pass up hay if it would not be a problem. Then again, I don't want to lose foals or mares if it is.
I would appreciate any information on this. I would hate to pass up hay if it would not be a problem. Then again, I don't want to lose foals or mares if it is.