Hay vs Haylage vs Silage: What’s the Best Forage for Your Horse?

Hay vs Haylage vs Silage: What’s the Best Forage for Your Horse?

Forage is the foundation of every horse’s diet — but with so many options available, it can be confusing to know whether hay, haylage, or silage is the best choice. Each type has different nutritional values, moisture levels, storage needs, and suitability for different horses. This guide breaks down the differences so you can choose the safest and most appropriate forage for your horse.


1. What Is Hay?

Hay is dried grass with a low moisture content (around 10–15%).

Pros

  • Long shelf life

  • Low sugar (depending on cut)

  • Easy to store

  • Suitable for most horses

  • Great for good‑doers

Cons

  • Can be dusty

  • Quality varies

  • Needs proper storage to avoid mould

Best For

  • Laminitic horses

  • Good‑doers

  • Horses needing controlled calories


2. What Is Haylage?

Haylage is partially dried grass with a higher moisture content (40–60%) and wrapped to ferment slightly.

Pros

  • Less dusty than hay

  • More palatable

  • Higher nutritional value

  • Great for performance horses

Cons

  • Shorter shelf life once opened

  • Higher calories

  • Can be too rich for good‑doers

  • Must be stored properly

Best For

  • Performance horses

  • Poor‑doers

  • Horses needing extra energy


3. What Is Silage?

Silage is very high‑moisture fermented grass (60–70%) typically made for cattle — not horses.

Why Silage Is Unsafe for Horses

  • Too acidic

  • Too wet

  • High risk of botulism

  • Can cause colic

  • Fermentation unsuitable for equine digestion

Best For

  • Not recommended for horses (Unless specifically made as equine‑safe silage, which is rare.)


4. Nutritional Differences

Hay

  • Lower calories

  • Lower protein

  • Lower moisture

  • Variable sugar levels

Haylage

  • Higher calories

  • Higher protein

  • Higher moisture

  • More consistent quality

Silage

  • Too rich and acidic for horses

  • High moisture

  • High fermentation


5. Storage & Shelf Life

Hay

  • Lasts months if kept dry

  • Needs ventilation

  • Store off the ground

Haylage

  • Wrapped bales

  • Must be used within 3–7 days once opened

  • Keep out of sunlight

Silage

  • Not suitable for horses

  • High spoilage risk


6. Which Forage Should You Choose?

Choose Hay If Your Horse Is:

  • A good‑doer

  • Laminitic

  • Prone to weight gain

  • Needing low‑calorie forage

Choose Haylage If Your Horse Is:

  • A poor‑doer

  • In regular work

  • Needing more energy

  • Fussy with hay

Avoid Silage Unless:

  • It is specifically labelled as equine‑safe

  • You have veterinary or nutritionist guidance


7. Can You Mix Hay and Haylage?

Yes — many owners do. Mixing can help:

  • Transition between forages

  • Reduce calories

  • Improve palatability

Introduce changes gradually over 7–10 days.