Types of Hay for Horses

Oh… Hay There!

Whether you are a novice horse owner embarking on an exciting equestrian journey or a seasoned enthusiast well-acquainted with the equine world, understanding the different types of hay for horses is essential. As the backbone of equine nutrition, hay serves as a primary source of forage, providing essential nutrients and fiber. This comprehensive article aims to enlighten both newcomers and experienced horse owners alike, shedding light on the diverse array of hay options and their specific benefits.

Not all hay is created equal. From the lush green pastures of Timothy and protein-rich alfalfa fields to the coastal plains and orchard meadows, we explore the nutritional content and ideal horse candidates for each type of hay, empowering you to make informed decisions to support your equine companions’ optimal nutrition and vitality.

Why do horses eat hay?

Before we get into types of hay for horses, it’s important to understand why horses eat hay. As a crucial component of a horse’s diet, hay provides essential nutrients and addresses various aspects of their physiological and behavioral needs.

Primary Forage Source

Horses are grazing animals that are constantly foraging in their natural habitat, consuming grass and plants, for the majority of the day. Because domesticated horses are usual confined to stalls or pastures that do not always have endless grass for them to consume, hay serves as a substitute for pasture grazing, supplying the necessary fiber, vitamins, and minerals horses would naturally obtain from a range of grasses.

Maintaining Healthy Teeth

Chewing hay requires significant dental work, helping to wear down the horse’s continuously growing teeth. Regular chewing on fibrous material assists in preventing dental issues, ensuring proper tooth wear and reducing the risk of conditions like malocclusion. Learn more about equine teeth and general horse anatomy.

Digestive Health

Horses have a unique digestive system designed for continuous forage intake. The horse’s digestive tract relies on a steady influx of fibrous material to function optimally. Hay, being a source of long-stem fiber, promotes healthy digestion by stimulating the production of saliva, which buffers stomach acids and helps prevent issues like colic and gastric ulcers — two very common ailments found in stalled horses today.

Nutrient Balance

While hay might not contain all the nutrients a horse needs, it serves as a foundational part of their diet. Depending on the type of hay (ex: alfalfa, Timothy, etc.), it can contribute varying levels of protein, carbohydrates, and essential minerals. Check with your local feed store or hay dealer to get the nutrition content breakdown of the hay you are purchasing or ask your vet to recommend the type of hay to incorporate into your horse’s diet to meet their dietary needs and goals. Hay, when supplemented with concentrates, grains, and additional nutrients, allows for a balanced diet tailored to the specific needs of the individual horse.

Weight Management

Hay provides a calorie-controlled diet. For horses that need to maintain a healthy weight, especially those prone to obesity or metabolic issues, hay can be fed in controlled amounts to regulate calorie intake without compromising essential nutrients.

Behavioral Satisfaction

Chewing and grazing are natural behaviors for horses. Providing hay mimics the natural grazing behavior, offering mental stimulation and reducing stress. This is particularly important for horses kept in stalls or areas where pasture grazing is limited.

Horses are creatures of habit, and boredom can lead to undesirable behaviors. Access to hay provides a constructive and engaging activity for horses, reducing the likelihood of developing vices such as cribbing, weaving, or stall walking.

Regulating Gut Motility

The fibrous nature of hay helps regulate the movement of material through the horse’s digestive system. This is crucial for preventing issues like impaction colic, as the continuous intake of fibrous material keeps the gut functioning properly.

In summary, hay is a cornerstone of equine nutrition, addressing not only the horse’s physical health but also its mental and behavioral needs. With everything stated above, let’s discuss the most common types of hay for horses and break them down individually.

Types of Hay for Horses

Orchard Hay

This tall-growing perennial, cool-season grass is commonly found in shaded areas like orchards – hence the name – throughout the US and Europe, as well as parts of Northern Asia, Africa, Australia and New Zealand. Dactylis glomerata, its scientific name, may include grass species such as tall fescue, ryegrass, or Kentucky bluegrass, depending on the region and specific growing conditions.

Nutritionally, it’s higher in protein (10-12%) and calories with better fiber digestibility than Timothy but has the same balanced calcium to phosphorus levels. Equine nutrition enthusiasts will appreciate that while Orchard hay is lower in protein compared to legume hays like alfalfa, it can still provide a decent amount of protein for horses with average protein requirements. The fiber content in orchard hay is generally high, which supports healthy digestion and promotes proper gut function.

Color varies from green to bluish-green depending on maturity, but its texture is consistently soft and, because it’s not leafy, it makes less of a mess than some of the other types of hay for horses on our list.

Best for: horses in light work, that are retired, stall-bound, easy keepers, overweight, or may benefit from a grass and legume mix such as O&A (orchard & alfalfa).

Timothy Hay

Introduced to North America by early settlers, Timothy now grows throughout most of the US and Canada. Named after Timothy Hanson, who began promoting its cultivation as a hay in 1720, this cool-season, perennial grass is low in protein (8%), high in fiber (32%), promotes good digestion and bowel regularity, and is a good source of copper and zinc.

Its lower sugar content makes it a suitable choice for horses that need to limit their sugar intake. Horses with conditions such as metabolic disorders, insulin resistance, or laminitis may benefit from Timothy hay as part of a controlled and balanced diet. It is also commonly fed to horses with respiratory sensitivities, as it tends to have a lower dust content compared to other types of hay.

Additionally, Timothy hay provides horses with a good source of long-stem fiber, which supports natural grazing behaviors and aids in dental health. The long strands of hay encourage horses to chew thoroughly, promoting saliva production and helping to maintain proper dental wear.

The most nutrient rich Timothy hay is harvested early in the flowering stage, which runs June-August. It is coarse, green-to-tan in color, with bushy, cylindrical flower heads that horses love.

Best for: racehorses, horses prone to colic, that are over-weight, protein-sensitive, stall-bound, or can’t eat alfalfa alone. (T&A is a great mix).

Alfalfa Hay

Native to warmer temperate climates, Alfalfa – or Lucerne, as it is known outside of the US – is a legume packed with vitamins, minerals, and nutrients. It is high in protein (15-22%), contains easily digestible fiber (20-28%), and fewer simple starches may make it a good choice for horses with certain conditions.

Not all horses can handle hay this nutrient dense or with a calcium to phosphorus ratio as high as 8:1. Horses with impaired liver or kidney function, whose bodies have trouble processing and eliminating protein, should not consume Alfalfa. It’s best to consult with an equine nutrition specialist or board certified veterinarian before adding alfalfa into a horse’s diet.

Alfalfa, especially when freshly cut, is extremely aromatic, green, leafy, and contains small purple flowers.

Best for: performance horses, hard keepers, lactating mares, growing foals, seniors, malnourished rescues, horses kept out at pasture during the winter.

Perennial Peanut Hay

Perhaps the least common on our list, Perennial Peanut hay is a high-quality warm weather legume harvested in the south-eastern United States – typically in Florida, South Georgia and southern portions of the Gulf States. Nutrient rich and highly palatable, it packs on pounds fast and is the only hay that does not require the use of pesticides or chemical fertilizers, making it not only healthy, but also environmentally sustainable.

Perennial Peanut hay offers several benefits for horses. It tends to have higher crude protein content (10-15%) compared to grass hays, and generally provides a great balance of nutrients to support overall equine health. This can be advantageous for horses with increased protein and nutrient requirements, such as growing horses, pregnant or lactating mares, and horses engaged in intense athletic activities. Its high nutritional content also makes it a great substitute for Alfalfa.

Perennial Peanut does not produce peanuts and should not be confused with Annual Peanut. The latter, Annual Peanut, does produce peanuts and leaves behind a byproduct hay that should not be fed to horses due to it being sandy, dusty, and mostly made up of stems. It’s unlikely you’ll come across annual peanut hay at your local horse feed store. To put your mind at ease, make sure to always ask for Perennial Peanut hay and know what to look for. The horse-friendly version consists of small green-to-brown leaves and orange-yellow flowers. It falls apart easily and is super messy!

Best for: hard keepers, seniors, rescues, performance horses, horses needing to add nutrient content to their diet, horses kept out at pasture during winter.

Coastal Hay

Coastal hay is commonly grown in coastal regions, such as along the coastlines of the United States. It is primarily made from a warm-season grass known as Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon). While its nutritional value is typically lower than that of Orchard or Timothy hay, coastal hay still provides a good amount of vitamin A and D, calcium and phosphorus, and has moderate levels of energy and protein. On average, Coastal hay has a crude protein content ranging from 8% to 12% and an energy content of approximately 900 to 1,100 kilocalories per pound.

Coastal hay is one of the less expensive types of hay for horses compared to other varieties and is suitable for a wide range of horses, making it a popular choice for many owners. It can be fed to horses of various ages, disciplines, and activity levels, including pleasure horses, performance horses, and even some breeding stock.

Hard keepers or horses with a history of colic should steer clear of coastal hay. Though studies are divided on whether or not coastal hay causes impaction colic, a late harvest will yield hay that is extremely fibrous and can potentially put a horse at risk. Feed management practices as well as knowledge of dental conditions, eating habits of horses, and age is crucial and should never be overlooked. Know the horses in your care, ask owners for their history, or consult a veterinarian to minimize any risk.

Best for: Horses in light work, easy keepers, and those that do not require the higher nutritional content of other hay types.

Takeaway

Proper selection and management of the types of hay are key components of responsible horse care, and a well-balanced diet that includes quality hay is essential for maintaining a horse’s overall health and happiness.

The exact nutritional composition of each type of hay may vary depending on factors such as stage of growth, soil conditions, and harvesting techniques.

It is also worth noting that some horses with specific health conditions, such as metabolic disorders like equine metabolic syndrome (EMS) or insulin resistance (IR), may need to have their hay intake restricted or carefully managed. In such cases, it is advisable to consult with a veterinarian or equine nutrition specialist to create a suitable diet plan and when selecting types of hay for horses.

Remember, the specific dietary requirements of each horse should always be evaluated on an individual basis to ensure optimal health and performance. Please consult with your veterinarian before introducing new hay into your horse’s diet.