What Edmonton Horse Owners Should Know About Hay Analysis Report Before Ordering

When you're ordering hay for delivery to Edmonton, you often can't walk through the field or squeeze a bale before it arrives. That's exactly why a hay analysis matters.

A hay analysis is a lab test that tells you what's actually in the hay, rather than relying on how it looks in a photo or listing. For Edmonton-area horse owners sourcing hay from elsewhere in Alberta, this becomes one of the most useful tools for buying with confidence.

This guide breaks down what a hay analysis report includes, how to read it, and what questions to ask before you place an order.

What Is a Hay Analysis?

A hay analysis is a laboratory test performed on a hay sample to measure its nutrient content and quality. Instead of guessing based on colour or smell alone, you get real, documented numbers.

Suppliers typically pull a sample from a specific hay lot and send it to a forage testing lab. The results come back as a report you can review before or after you buy.

This matters most when you can't physically inspect the hay yourself, which is common when you're ordering hay to be delivered rather than picking it up from a farm you can visit.

Why Does Hay Analysis Matter for Edmonton Horse Owners?

Hay analysis Edmonton buyers rely on becomes especially important because much of the hay reaching the city is grown and baled elsewhere in Alberta. You're trusting a supplier's description of hay you likely haven't seen in person.

A documented analysis takes some of the guesswork out of that trust. It gives you a way to check that the hay matches what you were told, and to compare it against your horse's actual needs.

This is especially useful for bulk or first-time orders, where getting it wrong means a lot more than one bad bale.

How Do You Read a Forage Test Report?

A forage test report can look intimidating at first, with rows of numbers and abbreviations. Here's what the main sections generally cover.

Moisture Content

Moisture content shows how much water is left in the hay after baling. This matters because hay that's too wet is far more likely to develop mold once it's stored.

General agricultural extension guidance suggests small square bales are usually safer around 15% to 20% moisture, while round bales are typically safer somewhat lower, closer to 12% to 18%. These are general ranges, not guarantees, since actual safe levels can shift with hay type, growing conditions, and how the bales are stored.

*These are general guidelines based on agricultural extension sources. Actual safe ranges can vary by hay type and storage conditions.

Crude Protein

Crude protein reflects the protein content of the hay. Higher-protein hay, like alfalfa, is often chosen for animals with greater protein needs, such as growing or lactating horses.

There's no single "correct" protein number for every horse. The right level depends on your horse's age, workload, and overall diet, so it's worth comparing this figure to your horse's actual needs rather than assuming higher is always better.

NSC (Non-Structural Carbohydrates)

NSC refers to the sugar and starch content in the hay. This number matters most for horses with certain health conditions, such as insulin resistance, Cushing's/PPID, or a history of laminitis.

There isn't one universal safe NSC number that applies to every horse. If your horse has a metabolic condition or a history of laminitis, it's best to work with your veterinarian or an equine nutritionist to determine an appropriate NSC target for that horse specifically.

Digestible Energy

Digestible energy, often shown as DE, is a measure of how much usable energy the hay provides. It gives you a sense of how "hot" or filling the hay is likely to be for your horse.

Higher DE hay may suit a hard-working or hard-keeping horse, while a lower DE option might be a better fit for an easy keeper or a horse that needs to maintain a leaner body condition.

Mineral Ratios

Mineral ratios, especially the calcium-to-phosphorus ratio, show how balanced the hay is in these two key minerals. A reasonably balanced ratio generally supports healthy bone development, particularly in young or growing horses.

Extreme imbalances over time can contribute to health issues, which is another reason a documented analysis is more useful than a visual guess.

How Does Choosing Hay by Nutrient Content Help You Compare Suppliers?

Choosing hay by nutrient content gives you a fairer way to compare two suppliers, rather than relying on price or appearance alone. Two bales that look similar can have very different nutrient profiles.

This is particularly useful for Edmonton buyers comparing hay from different parts of Alberta, since growing conditions and hay type can vary even within the province. A documented analysis lets you compare based on what the hay actually offers, not just where it came from.

If you're weighing hay types against each other, our comparison of timothy hay vs alfalfa hay is a useful starting point alongside any analysis you're reviewing.

What Should You Ask a Supplier About Their Hay Analysis?

Before you order, it's worth asking a few direct questions about how a supplier handles hay analysis.

• Is every hay lot tested, or only some?
• Can I see the full report before I order?
• Is this analysis specific to the exact lot I'm buying, or a general average?
• How recent is the test?
• Who performed the lab analysis?

A supplier who can answer these clearly and share the actual report is generally easier to trust with a bulk or first-time order.

Does a Hay Analysis Replace a Visual Hay Inspection?

No, a hay analysis and a visual inspection work best together, not as a replacement for one another. A lab report won't tell you if a bale has visible mold, excessive dust, or weeds mixed in.

Colour, smell, and texture still matter, especially once the hay arrives and you're checking it in person. Our guide on 7 signs you're buying bad hay covers what to look for during that hands-on check.

Together, the analysis and the visual check give you a fuller picture than either one alone.

How Does Horse Creek Hay & Feed Provide Hay Analysis to Edmonton Customers?

At Horse Creek Hay & Feed, every hay lot we sell is tested, with a full lab analysis covering moisture content, crude protein, NSC, digestible energy, and mineral ratios. This means Edmonton customers ordering hay from us aren't buying blind.

Our hay is grown and sourced from Alberta farms, where dry harvesting conditions generally support good curing and hay quality. You can read more about how this works in why Alberta's climate produces high-quality export hay.

You can browse current lots in our hay collection, including options like our 2026 Horse Creek Hay timothy and alfalfa hay. If you'd like to see the analysis for a specific lot before ordering for delivery to Edmonton, contact our team directly.

Conclusion

A hay analysis takes the guesswork out of buying hay you can't inspect in person, which matters most when you're ordering for delivery to Edmonton. Reading the report, asking the right questions, and pairing it with a visual check once your hay arrives gives you the clearest picture of what you're actually feeding.

Frequently Ask Question:

Is a hay analysis the same for every bale in a hay lot?

An analysis is based on a sample taken from the lot, so it represents the lot as a whole rather than guaranteeing every single bale is identical. Some natural variation is normal, even within a well-tested lot.

Can I request a copy of the hay analysis before I order?

In most cases, yes. A reputable supplier should be willing to share the report for the specific lot you're considering, especially for bulk or first-time orders.

What NSC level is safe for a horse with laminitis or metabolic issues?

There isn't one safe number that applies to every horse. It's best to talk to your veterinarian or an equine nutritionist, who can recommend an appropriate NSC target based on your horse's specific health history.

Is hay tested every time, or only occasionally?

This depends on the supplier. Some test every lot before it's sold, while others test less consistently, which is worth asking about directly before you commit to an order.

Does hay analysis affect the price of hay?

It can, since testing adds a step to how the hay is prepared for sale, and higher-quality, well-documented lots are sometimes priced accordingly. Exact pricing varies by supplier, so it's best to ask directly for current rates.