No. There is not an issue with impaction colic and typical bermuda hay. There was one specific variety and only under certain growing conditions was there found to be an issue. Look at the bales before you purchase. You do not want extremely fine hair or thread like stems that are soft. I never had issue in TX. I did have issue with one batch of hay from a specific farmer that grew that variety under adverse conditions resulting in parts of the round bale containing that superfine and supersoft stem here in AL. I still feed bermuda but do check the bales. I also know the variety in the bale. I no longer purchase from that farm.

 

Why not alfalfa? Here in the northwest, it's the main hay grown. The vast majority of horses here eat alfalfa their entire lives. There is timothy, but as many growers found out, their workers were severely allergic to it, as am I. I tried it, and will never put it in my barn again, it completely shuts me down. Teff is getting to be more grown here. We are raising it outselves, along with alfalfa. It's a good hay.
Still most horse owners here prefer alfalfa.
Guess it's a location thing.

 

You can get Timothy here: Hay USA Timothy Hay, Bermuda Hay, Coastal Hay, Feed for Horses
I think they are in Weatherford, which if I recall where you moved isn't that far for you, maybe? They also might deliver to you.
Some places might have teff.

 

I’m on the west coast and feed Bermuda without any problems. I don’t think it’s coastal though, I’ve read that’s more common in the southeast. My current batch of teff actually looks a lot softer and finer, long stemmy-ish, than the Bermuda.

 

When I get more than just a minute I was going to go through mh files and get the specific variety associated with it. Most of Yx will be Coastal, some Alicia if I remember.

 

Thank you guys! Makes me feel a bit better!




I would really appreciate that thank you! Just for the peace of mind and knowledge! Everything I was reading about coastal freaked me out a little haha.

You can get Timothy here: Hay USA Timothy Hay, Bermuda Hay, Coastal Hay, Feed for Horses
I think they are in Weatherford, which if I recall where you moved isn't that far for you, maybe? They also might deliver to you.
Some places might have teff.

Thank you! Weatherford is about 40 mins North-ish of me so that would work! It would give me an excuse to go get Panera Bread once in a while (guilty pleasure haha) When I'm off of work I'm going to look through the links.

 

Pardon my phone for deciding it knows how to spell....

Russell and Alicia are the worst. It is typically when overmature. It is very fine and soft. Happens during drought as well. Young, irrigated or good rain season and no problems. If you are still wanting to be proactive salt your feed so the horses are going to drink. I use electrolytes with a high salt content or loose white salt on feed. Most of Tx will be Coastal. Ask the variety and ask the cut. Learn to tell the difference between the maturity stages. My son said about the hay that caused one of mine to colic that petting the bale felt like petting a cloud it was so soft. It is literally so thin it is like hair. Really, thinner than dental floss. If you see that and it is soft to touch then it doesn't matter the variety I would stay away. Realize though at the time I had 16, maybe 18 horses all eating the same. Only one had colic and she is prone to it. There are other factors like hydration level of the horse and whether are not tape worms are present plus tendency to colic. It was enough of a scare as it was an impaction colic that I stick to coastal that is irrigated and a young cut.

 

I personally had a filly on coastal free fed by net when i was in Texas no issue.

i currently do the very same with bermuda. Have ages ranging from 3-17.I do know a lot of people who swap to cubes in Texas because of inconsistency in hay/ability to get good quality hay.
you should be fine with a mix of grass/alfalfa though just be sure to provide salt/electrolytes and i personally would not use an automatic water so that you can properly monitor how much water is actually being drank and react accordingly.

 

Thankfully I do not have auto waterers I just use tubs that I refresh daily.

My old boy is so stubborn about drinking, always has been unfortunately. I could have him in a stall for 24 hours and he'd drink maybe 2 inches of water from his bucket. He has salt in his pen and I'm scared to keep adding salt/electrolytes for fear he won't replenish his water intake to balance it out. If there are any secrets to getting a horse to drink more I'm all ears haha because I've tried almost everything short of sticking him with IV fluids 😂 His food is already SOUP which he hates but begrudgingly eats.

I'm thankful my appy is a water vacuum 😂

 

I live relatively close to you, i generally try to feed tifton and coastal is usually my back up for round bales. I don't think i generally see tifton in squares.

There is a lot of cheap sudan in the area for cows, don't feed it to a horse.

 

Thank you!

If you don't mind me asking, where are you located? I literally know no one out here other than my landlord and one neighbor who doesn't really ride so I'm trying to find riding buddies haha

 

Relatively close, not super close. I am in North Dallas, horses are near Seagoville. Close enough for an occasional trail ride though if you have a trailer too. There are also several events that happen in the area, I have been eyeballing a few that I havent made it too yet. Not sure how far you are willing to haul to go do something. I've looked at play day practices and obstacle courses mostly besides trail rides. So far the trails I have done have been south or east of dallas. I have one newish horse trimming acquaintance out in stephenville that I am riding to Illinois with next week for more trimming classes. She may have more suggestions for your region.

You can PM if you have anything more specific you want to ask.