Dengie is a commercial name that originated in the UK for chopped hay. The Dengie company pioneered the use of high temperature drying to conserve forage for horses in the United Kingdom.
Chopped hay AKA Dengie
Dengie is a commercial name that originated in the UK for chopped hay that is harvested at an early, immature, pre-bloom stage of growthand then undergoes a unique drying process that âlocks-inâ the nutrients that can be lost during the traditional sun-curing process.
© 2015 by Lucerne Farms
When the Dengie company was founded, it was the only producer of high temperature dried alfalfa. As research on equine nutrition confirmed the benefits of a high fiber diet for horses, other feed manufacturers followed with their products and now, chopped hay/Dengie is readily available in the USA.
To make Dengie, the hay is harvested at an early, immature, pre-bloom stage of growth. Then the hay undergoes a unique drying process that âlocks-inâ the nutrients that can be lost during the traditional sun-curing process of drying hay. This high temperature drying process eliminates harmful mold spores that can lead to respiratory allergies including heaves.
After harvest the hay is then chopped into pieces two to three inches in length. Next it is lightly misted with either molasses or soy oil which greatly reduces the dust factor and bumps up the fat and palatability.
It is then packed and compressed into air-tight bags at the peak of freshness. The bags weigh between 35-50 pounds depending on the manufacturer. Because all of this occurs within hours of harvest when the hay is at peak leafiness it is chock full of nutrients, highly palatability (tasty) and the digestibility is really great.
Dengie is used as a complement to your grain, as a supplemental fiber source, for a nutritious treat or to replace hay completely.
All types of hay can be chopped to be used as Dengie but the most common ones sold commercially are Alfalfa, Timothy, and Orchard Grass or a combination of these. Additional options include chopped hay mixed with oat hay, beet pulp, or with a vitamin/mineral supplement.
Almost all have added molasses and/or vegetable oil depending on the purpose of the formulation (is it for weight gain? Is it for a laminitic pony?) and some companies have a blend with chopped straw to boost up the fiber.
Different manufacturers have chopped hay blends for specific needs; for example Triple Crown Nutrition has a Safe Starch Forage that is formulated specifically for horses and ponies needing low starches and sugars. It is blended with vitamins and minerals and also soy oil and ricebran for added fat so it supplies the horse with its entire diet. The grass hay used in Triple Crown Safe Starch is specially selected for low NSC levels and to keep the NSCs low the product is molasses and grain free.
Lucerne Farms has a product that is targeted at the older horse or just maintenance needs. It is a blend of timothy, oat and alfalfa hay chopped really short for easier chewing and digestibility. Itâs mixed with a little molasses to make it tasty and the fat is super low at 1.5% so the horse wonât gain too much weight.
Dengie, the original manufacture of chopped hay, has a Healthy Tummy product specifically designed for horses with gastric ulcers. It is chopped alfalfa (known to help ease stomach issues) with added prebiotics and live yeast for gut health. In addition they add an herbal blend that is full of powerful antioxidants to help improve the immune system.
Just as with baled hay the digestible energy level varies between different types of Dengie. Some brands using alfalfa or a sugar beet mix can contain as much energy as a grain concentrate. Because the hay crop is harvested much earlier for Dengie it is more digestible and higher in energy and nutrients than other forms of hay.
Some brands add mannanoligosaccharides which stimulates the immune system as well as omega 3 fatty acids which can reduce inflammation of intestinal cells. In addition, L-Carnitine, an amino acid, is added to some chopped hay blends can help increase the metabolism of nutrients which will improve cellular repair.
As far as specific values of various nutrients, you need to check the brand of chopped hay you are considering feeding but your horse.
Another reason to feed Dengie as a supplement to your grain is that it takes the horse much longer to chew fiber so there is an increase in saliva production and that helps buffer the stomach.
If your horse is prone to ulcers this is a big plus. Many horse owners find adding the alfalfa chopped hay provides a buffering effect for horses during pharmacological treatments like anti-biotics or ulcer meds.
Chewing the fiber not only helps with digestion but it can help satisfies a horseâs psychological need to chew, keeping them occupied and happy. Less boredom generally results in less stress and destructive behavior such as wood chewing.
Some horse owners soak the Dengie and feed a bucket full of this mush to add extra water in the diet. While other horses might need a complete hay replacement due to respiratory or other medical issues.
Because the high temperature drying process eliminates harmful mold spores that can lead to respiratory allergies (heaves) many horse owners rely on Dengie to give these horses fiber without the risk of their horse breathing in dust and mold spores common in baled hay.
Another equine medical issue that can benefit from a diet of chopped hay are horses with metabolic issues such as Cushingâs or Insulin Resistance. Knowing the non-structural carbohydrate (NSC) value of the diet is important in controlling these conditions.
Dengie hay is tested and the NSC values are known therefore it can be fed as the sole ration to horses that require closely managed NSC levels, or it can be used as a supplement to lower the overall NSC % in the total diet. The Triple Crown Safe Starch Forage is a great example of how to use chopped hay for these horses.