bermudagrass & impaction

["Michelle Fink" <michrowe@redwrench.com>]

I was perusing Feeding to Win II and found this blurb, hope it's applicable
to the previous feeding discussion which brought up bermudagrass and
impaction.  Susan brought up lignin, this gives a little more detail:

"Some believe horses grazing on bermudagrass will be susceptible to
impaction colic.  However, any grass which becomes excessively mature will
contain large quantities of lignin, a complex carbohydrate which is not
readily digested and has no nutritional value.  Lignin, when digested in
large quantities, can predispose the horse to impaction colic."

.. Another reason to pay extra attention to hay quality, eh?

Michelle
(Colorado)