Meadow Hay (Trifolium / Graminae / Medicago Species)

Meadow hay, pasture hay or mixed grass and legume hay, as well as clover hay, is available in the better rainfall, pasture improved areas throughout Australia, particularly where good spring rainfall results in a surplus of quality pasture growth.

Meadow hay contains a mixture of pasture grasses, with a variable content of medics and clovers.
Horses will normally select palatable species out of the hay as they eat it, leaving the more mature, coarse or prickly pasture plants. This is often a high wastage factor with meadow hay, but hungry horses will usually consume more than those being given the hay as a supplement at pasture.

Nutrient Composition of Dry Roughages
(Average value as fed, 90% Dry Matter, unless otherwise stated)

Source: AFIC (1987), NRC (1989), Ensminger at al (1990), Lewis (1995), Frape (1997), Feedstuffs Annual (1997)