Hay for Horses

When purchasing hay for your horse, assess its freshness; it should not be dusty or smell moldy or musty. Moldy hay contributes to respiratory ailments in horses. The more mature the hay is when it’s harvested, the more stemmy and high in fiber/low in protein it will be. While this may be nutritionally adequate for lightly ridden horses and easy keepers, it is also less palatable and may not get eaten at all.

Hay cut earlier has more leafy material, calories and protein. Horses are usually quite eager to eat it, but it may also lead to weight gain if fed free-choice. A good idea is to feed the “younger,” tastier hay at meal time and leave the more mature hay available free-choice for snacking on whenever the horse wants something to keep him busy.

The two types of hay are grass and legume. Examples of grass hay are orchard grass, Bermuda grass and timothy. Legume hays include alfalfa and clover. Many hay producers grow mixed fields for “combination” hay—for example, orchardgrass and clover.

In addition to considering the type of hay, it’s important to think about the horse’s age, activity level, and specific health needs or conditions. Younger or more active horses may require richer hay for optimal energy, while older horses might benefit from softer, easier-to-chew options. Always consult with a veterinarian or equine nutritionist to tailor the hay selection to your horse’s individual requirements.

In summary, choosing the right hay for your horse involves careful consideration of freshness, nutritional content, and palatability. Balancing different types of hay can help meet your horse’s dietary needs while preventing health issues and ensuring they enjoy their feed.

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This article originally appeared in the 2010 issue of Horses USA.