Voluntary intake, digestibility, and subsequent selection of Matua bromegrass, coastal bermudagrass, and alfalfa hays by yearling horses

Matua bromegrass (Bromus willdenowii Kunth. cv. Grasslands Matua) was intro duced in 1973, but little information exists concerning its potential as a hay for horses. Thus, voluntary intake and apparent digestibility of OM, CP , and fiber components of Matua by 18 Quarter Horse yearlings (mean initial BW 354 kg; SE 5.8) were compared with alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) and coa stal bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon L.) as bays in a randomized block desig n. A 15-d adjustment period was followed by a 5-d collection period during which the hays were consumed ad libitum. Voluntary intake of DM was greater (P < .01) for alfalfa (10.9 kg/d) than for the mean of the grasses, and in take of Matua (10.0 kg/d) was greater (P < .001) than that of bermudagrass (7.4 kg/d). Apparent digestibility of OM was greater (P < .001) for alfalfa (74%) than for the mean of the grasses but did not differ between Matua (6 4%) and bermudagrass (60%). At the end of the digestion trial, each yearlin g was offered each of the three forage hays during an 11-d period to determ ine subsequent preference and effect of previous hay experience. Yearlings preferred alfalfa over the grass hays and generally selected more Matua tha n bermudagrass. All yearlings consumed less of the forage species to which they had been previously exposed compared with unadapted yearlings. The Mat ua hay fed in this trial was palatable and met most of the nutritional need s for yearling horses.