Orchard Hay for horses??

Orchard is a very good hay for horses. It is a cool season grass that is very popular, and has great, standard nutritional qualities for horses. Some warm season grasses tend to be more prone to certain insects/bacteria/etc, which isn't a problem for most healthy horses but is just something to be aware of. Alfalfa is not a good hay to feed as the sole ration due to its unusually high amount of protein, and it also tends to through off the calcium-phosphorus ratio, which is vital in maintaining strong, healthy bones in horses. Timothy is also a good hay and is quite similar to orchard, but is generally more expensive and not as readily available as orchard. I would go with a good quality orchard grass and then use a ration balancer, such as one offered by LMF or Triple Crown, to fill in any potential nutritional gaps. This will ensure that your horse is getting all of the vitamins/minerals he needs :)

Where is this hay produced?

Grass hay is hardly ever one type of grass, in seed mixes we usually see a mix of several sees... including an annual that pops up as a cover the first season

Contrary to the resident expert .... grass nutrition is going to vary wildly depending on the soil it grows in.

Grass hay is high carb.... alfalfa is a legume with high protein content.

Yes... in some regions grass hay is low in nutrition.

Those of us who GROW it have the local AG extension test hay and soil so we can fertilize the soil properly and get the best results. Most grass hay will produce 5 seasons or more if he field is managed properly

How the hay is baled is a wild card. I like to turn it once... and try to bale at low moisture content. Dew and rain usually force baling.... so the hay gets raked several times pre baling to dry it out . Crimping helps.... but over handling breaks the fines away and leaves stems.... that reduces values in the final product

Some regions get 4 cuttings. .. the first is the best other places are lucky to cut twice.

the only way to know is have it tested... you cannot look and tell by looking alone