Hay is the foundation of your horse’s diet — but not all hay is created equal. The type, quality, and nutritional value of hay can dramatically affect your horse’s weight, digestion, performance, and overall health. This guide explains how to choose the right hay for your horse based on their needs, workload, and condition.
1. Why Hay Quality Matters
Good hay supports:
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Digestive health
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Weight management
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Coat condition
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Energy levels
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Behaviour and mood
Poor‑quality hay can cause respiratory issues, weight loss, or colic.
2. The Main Types of Hay
1. Meadow Hay
A mix of grasses and herbs. Best for:
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Good‑doers
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Native breeds
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Horses needing low‑calorie forage
Pros:
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Widely available
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Affordable
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Lower sugar
Cons:
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Quality varies
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Can be dusty if poorly stored
2. Timothy Hay
High‑fibre, low‑sugar hay. Best for:
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Laminitic horses
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Horses needing controlled calories
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Sensitive digestive systems
Pros:
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Consistent quality
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Very palatable
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Low sugar
Cons:
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More expensive
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Not always easy to source
3. Ryegrass Hay
High in calories and protein. Best for:
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Poor‑doers
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Performance horses
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Horses needing weight gain
Pros:
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High energy
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Great for building condition
Cons:
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Too rich for good‑doers
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Higher sugar content
4. Alfalfa (Lucerne)
Technically a legume, not a grass. Best for:
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Horses needing extra protein
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Seniors
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Horses building topline
Pros:
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High calcium
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Great for muscle
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Highly digestible
Cons:
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Too rich for some horses
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Not suitable as sole forage
3. How to Check Hay Quality
Look
Good hay should be:
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Greenish in colour
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Free from mould
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Free from weeds
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Not overly stemmy
Avoid hay that is brown, dusty, or contains debris.
Smell
High‑quality hay smells:
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Fresh
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Sweet
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Clean
Musty or sour smells indicate mould.
Feel
Good hay feels:
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Soft
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Flexible
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Not brittle
Very coarse hay can cause mouth irritation.
4. Choosing Hay Based on Your Horse’s Needs
For Good‑Doers
Choose:
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Meadow hay
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Timothy hay
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Soaked hay (to reduce sugar)
Avoid rich ryegrass hay.
For Poor‑Doers
Choose:
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Ryegrass hay
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Alfalfa mix
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High‑quality meadow hay
Add soaked beet pulp for extra calories.
For Laminitic Horses
Choose:
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Timothy hay
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Low‑sugar meadow hay
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Soaked hay (30–60 minutes)
Avoid ryegrass and alfalfa.
For Performance Horses
Choose:
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Ryegrass hay
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Alfalfa mix
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High‑protein forage
They need more energy and protein.
5. How Much Hay Should Your Horse Eat?
Most horses need:
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1.5–2% of bodyweight per day (7.5–10kg for a 500kg horse)
Good‑doers may need slightly less; poor‑doers may need more.
6. Storage Tips to Keep Hay Fresh
Store hay:
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Off the ground
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In a dry, ventilated area
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Away from sunlight
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Covered but not sealed airtight
Good storage prevents mould and nutrient loss.