Feeding Hay to Horses

Hay is an important feed for horses. Even when supplemental feed is provided, it is desirable to furnish horses with hay because it tends to prevent colic and digestive problems. The digestive system of a horse differs considerably from cattle and sheep. Because of the small stomach size and characteristics of their digestive system, horses need to be fed frequently. They need to consume good quality hay or pasture that will be easily digested and move rapidly through their digestive systems. How a horse is fed will greatly influence its growth, reproduction, speed and/or strength, as well as its appearance. Horses need to receive about 1 to 2 lb of high quality hay per day per 100 lb of body weight. High quality hay can be defined as soft, leafy, and fine-stemmed with a pleasant aroma.

~Southern Forages, Fourth Edition, by D.M. Ball, C.S. Hoveland, and G.D. Lacefield-pg. 243

Equine Diet

The basis of all equine diets should be forage (hay or pasture). The equine digestive system is designed to process the continual passage of small amounts of high-fiber roughage. By feeding large amounts of starchy, sugary grains, or feeding indoor horses just two meals per day, you increase the risk of digestive disturbances, such as colic. Another mistake might be feeding only small amounts of extremely rich hay.

"If your horse isn't working very hard, he doesn't need to be fed rich alfalfa hay," says Bob Coleman, Ph.D., assistant professor and equine extension expert at the University of Kentucky. "I would recommend a mostly grass hay; that way your horse can consume the 2 percent of his body weight he needs over a longer period. For a horse kept in a stall or dry paddock, this foraging time is extremely important to his mental state as well as his digestive health."

~ Excerpt from Menu Matchup by Holly Werner
Horse Illustrated: February 2010

******ADDITIONAL LINKS******

~ 7 Most Common Horse Feeding Mistakes

~ Horse Hay Storage Tips

~ Did the Hay Cause Colic?

~ Are You Feeding Your Horse Like a Horse?

~ The Equine Digestive Tract