Using either type of hay—organic or conventionally grown—is not going to be a problem for your horse or community, provided they are grown responsibly, said Emily Glunk Meccage, MS, PhD. | Photo: iStock

Q.Are organic or nongenetically modified hays better for horses?

—Via e-mail

A.This is a hotly debated and emotionally charged topic that Emily Glunk Meccage, MS, PhD, says comes down to personal preference. Meccage, an extension forage specialist and assistant professor at Montana State University (MSU), in Bozeman, co-owns Field and Fodder Consulting LLC, a private equine nutritional consulting company. Since 2014 she has been studying the forage-animal interaction, as well as best management practices for forage production