Understanding Hay & Pasture Testing for Horses
Podcast # 35
Forage sits at the very heart of equine nutrition—yet for most horse owners, the numbers on a hay or pasture analysis can feel like a foreign language. In this deep-dive episode of the Happy Horse Nutrition Podcast, Dr Nerida sits down with Anthony Balzer and Kimberly Detmers from Feed Central and Local Ag for an eye-opening conversation about what’s really in our forage, how much it changes, and why testing matters more than most people realise.
Together, they explore how hay and pasture analysis can influence everything from basic health to performance, soundness, growth, and even foal development. You’ll hear:
What You’ll Learn
Why forage can make or break a horse’s health—and sometimes an entire racing stable
How hay and pasture testing actually works
The critical mineral shifts that dictate whether a youngster grows sound joints or ends up with OCD
Why nitrate levels matter (and the surprising ways they affect laminitis, broodmare health, and even athletic performance)
What “safe” NSC levels look like for laminitic horses
Why TEFF hay is not always the low-sugar safe option many believe
How ingredient and species diversity in forage protects gut health and reduces colic risk
How to dilute risk by feeding multiple, tested forages
What makes a “near perfect” performance horse hay—and why no single hay is perfect for every horse; and
Where to send hay and pasture for analysis in Australia or overseas
With practical examples, on-farm stories, and clear explanations, this episode makes hay and pasture numbers approachable for every horse owner—from broodmare managers to everyday riders.
If you’ve ever wondered what your hay is really doing inside your horse, this episode is essential listening. Understanding forage is one of the most powerful ways to keep your horses healthy, performing well, and protected from avoidable nutrition-related issues.
📱 Download the MyHappy.Horse app:
https://apps.apple.com/app/myhappy-horse/id6633422324
🔬 Find out more about hay and pasture testing or submit a sample: https://www.feedcentral.com.au/how-to-submit-a-feed-sample-for-testing/
🌱 Buy hay that has already been tested: https://www.localag.com.au/buy
🐴 Check out the analysis services from Equi-Analytical: https://equi-analytical.com
If this episode helped you feel more confident about what’s in your hay and pasture, a quick rating or review in your podcast app really helps more horse owners find the show, and more horses get fed the way that’s best 💗
