How Good is the Hay You Feed Your Horse?

During the colder months, many horses are kept stabled longer and therefore require more hay as a key part of their diet. Ensuring you feed your horse good quality hay is vital to maintaining their respiratory health and digestion throughout winter's challenges.

To assess hay quality, the classic method remains the best: open a bale and inspect it. This reveals the hay's dustiness and allows you to check if it has a clean, sweet, fresh smell. Avoid hay that is too green as this can cause scouring and digestive issues for your horse.

Excellent hay is characterised by a light green colour inside, avoiding dull yellow or brown hues. Hay with clover, which darkens with age, should still be evaluated by its leaf content – plenty of leaves signals earlier cutting and superior nutrition compared to stalky hay laden with stems and weeds.

Characteristics of Good Quality Hay

Good quality hay has a pleasing sweet aroma—not musky or musty. If mould (light or dark) is present, the hay should be discarded as it can cause respiratory and health problems.

Feel a handful of hay and squeeze it gently: soft, pliable hay is better, while prickly, stalky hay indicates a late cut and lower nutrient levels. Dust is a significant problem; some owners dampen hay before feeding to reduce irritation, but ideally hay should be clean and dust-free. Sometimes, hay cut too close to the ground by the harvester also becomes dusty despite cutting at the right stage.

While visual and smell inspections are useful, the only sure way to know the nutritional value is via laboratory analysis, though this may not be practical for most horse owners.

Feeding Amount: How Much Hay Does Your Horse Need?

Under normal conditions, horses typically require 1-2% of their body weight in forage daily. This means a 500kg horse might eat between 5 to 10kg of hay. Weighing hay is the best way to ensure adequate feeding, but many owners use haynets or racks without precise measurement.

Horses evolved as grazers and need to chew fibrous plants for at least 12 hours a day. Sufficient good quality hay when stabled supports not only digestive health but also their natural urge to chew, reducing boredom and decreasing the risk of developing vices such as crib biting.

Continuous Access and Feeding Routine

It is preferable to offer hay constantly when horses are stabled rather than feeding a few large meals. Continuous nibbling mimics natural grazing and supports digestive health.

Proper Hay Storage is Crucial

Storing hay in a dry, clean area is essential to maintain quality and nutrient content. Poor storage leads to moisture build-up, mould growth, and nutrient loss, resulting in wasted feed and potential health problems. For many owners, buying smaller amounts and ensuring proper storage is better than bulk buying that may cause deterioration.

Summary

Feeding high quality hay is key to maintaining your horse's health over winter when stabled for longer periods. Good hay is soft, greenish, sweet-smelling, and free from mould or dust. Feeding adequate amounts helps maintain digestive function and lowers additional feed costs. Remember, proper storage is as important as selecting good hay to ensure your horse receives the best nutrition possible.