When it comes to feeding horses, hay is often a key part of the diet. If you have horses, you may wonder why hay is so essential and how it impacts your horse’s overall health. In this article, we’ll dive into why hay is crucial for horses, the benefits of feeding it, and how to choose the right type to ensure your horse stays healthy and happy.
Why Hay Matters: Understanding the Horse’s Digestive Needs
Horses are herbivores with a digestive system designed to process high-fibre forage. Unlike humans, they are mono-gastric, meaning they have a single-chambered stomach. Their digestive system thrives on long-stemmed fibre, which helps maintain gut health, supports digestion, and regulates metabolism.
In the wild, horses graze on vast expanses of land, consuming grasses that are rich in fibre. Their diet mainly consists of mature, dry grasses, which are perfect for their digestive needs. Domestic horses, however, need their hay to mimic this natural diet to stay healthy. Without enough fibre, horses can suffer from a range of health issues, including digestive upset, weight loss, and behavioural problems.
The Key Benefits of Hay for Horses
Here’s why hay should be a central part of your horse’s diet:
- Maintains Digestive Health
Horses are designed to consume large amounts of fibre, and hay is an excellent source. Long-stemmed fibre helps stimulate chewing, which promotes saliva production. Saliva is important because it helps break down food and keeps the digestive tract functioning smoothly. Without enough fibre, horses may develop digestive issues such as colic or ulcers. - Supports Healthy Metabolism
For horses, proper digestion isn’t just about breaking down food; it’s about providing a steady source of nutrients that support metabolism. Hay ensures that your horse’s metabolism stays balanced, promoting a steady release of energy rather than the ups and downs that come with sugary feeds. - Promotes Dental Health
Hay’s fibrous nature encourages chewing, which helps wear down a horse’s teeth naturally. This is important because horses’ teeth continuously grow throughout their lives, and chewing hay helps maintain proper dental wear. Without enough roughage, horses may develop dental issues. - Replicates the Wild Diet
In their natural environment, horses eat a variety of grasses that are fibrous and low in sugar. While domestic horses have different living conditions, often grazing short green shoots so providing hay that mimics the wild diet ensures they get the nutrients they need in a way their digestive system can handle.
Why Choose Hay, Even When Grass is Plenty?
Many horse owners assume that if their horses have access to plenty of lush green grass, they don’t need hay. However, this isn’t always the case, and it’s important to add hay to their diet, even when pasture seems abundant. Here’s why:
- Inconsistent Quality of Grass
While green grass may seem like a healthy choice, it’s not always sufficient for your horse’s dietary needs. Grass quality can fluctuate, and during periods of rapid growth, it may have a lower fibre content, making it harder for your horse to get the nutrition they need. Hay, especially mature hay, offers a more consistent and reliable source of fibre and nutrients. - Low Fibre Content in Lush Grass
Grass that is lush and young tends to have a high-water content and low dry matter, which means it provides less fibre. Horses need a higher fibre intake to maintain a healthy digestive system, and hay, which is drier and higher in fibre, can help make up for this shortfall. - Better for Horses with Specific Health Needs
Some horses, especially those prone to metabolic disorders or digestive issues, may struggle with the higher sugar content found in green grass. Hay, particularly types that are lower in sugar, can be a better option for these horses, helping to maintain stable blood sugar levels and prevent conditions like laminitis. - Encourages Natural Behaviour
Horses are designed to graze throughout the day and providing them with hay ensures they continue their natural behaviour. Even if there is grass available, adding hay allows them to graze for longer periods, reducing boredom and promoting mental well-being.
Why Choosing the Right Hay Matters
While hay is essential, not all hay is created equal. Different types of hay have varying nutritional profiles, and it’s crucial to choose the right one based on your horse’s health needs.
The Problem with Green Grass
You might think that green grass is a healthy choice for horses, and while it’s better than no forage at all, it has its drawbacks:
- Low Dry Matter Content: Green grass is high in water and low in dry matter. This means it doesn’t provide the fibre that horses need to maintain digestive health.
- Nutrient Fluctuations: Green grass can vary in its nutrient composition, making it difficult for horses to get a steady supply of nutrients.
- High Sugar Levels: Green grass, particularly during spring and fall, can contain high levels of sugar, which may lead to metabolic issues, especially for horses that are insulin-resistant or prone to laminitis.
Choosing the Right Type of Hay
To avoid these problems, you should feed your horse mature hay, which is higher in fibre and lower in sugar. Here are a few types of hay and their general benefits:
- Grass Hay (e.g., Timothy, Native Grass or Meadow Hay): These types of hay are high in fibre and are usually safe for most horses. They provide the right balance of nutrients without being too rich in sugar.
- Teff or Rhodes Hay: A low-sugar grass hay, great for horse’s sensitive to sugar and starch.
- Lucerne (Alfalfa) Hay: Lucerne is actually a legume and not a grass, and while alfalfa hay is a good source of protein and fibre, it’s not ideal for metabolic horses due to its higher protein content. It is quite rich, so is best only fed in moderation for all horses.
- Oaten, Barley, and Wheaten Hay: These are high in sugar and starch, so they’re better for horses in moderate work but should be monitored for sugar levels.
- Haylage: This type of hay is preserved with higher moisture content. While it retains more nutrients, it can be problematic for horses with metabolic issues, so it should be tested first.
Understanding Sugar Levels in Hay
For horses with metabolic concerns, it’s crucial to manage the amount of sugar (non-structural carbohydrates, or NSCs) in their diet. High sugar levels can lead to health issues like laminitis, so it’s important to select hay that’s low in sugars. Here’s a breakdown of different carbohydrate components in hay:
- Water-Soluble Carbohydrates (WSCs): These are simple sugars that provide quick energy. They are beneficial for active horses but can cause problems in horses prone to metabolic issues.
- Ethanol-Soluble Carbohydrates (ESCs): Similar to WSCs, ESCs are quickly absorbed by the horse’s body but should be kept in check for horses with insulin resistance or laminitis.
- Fructans: These carbohydrates are not digested until they reach the hindgut, where they ferment and can cause digestive upset if consumed in high amounts.
It’s advisable to test hay for sugar content before feeding it to your horse, especially if your horse has a sensitive metabolism.
How to Ensure Your Horse Gets the Best Hay
To help ensure your horse gets the best hay for their health, consider these tips:
- Cut Grass When Mature: Mature grass has lower sugar content, making it more suitable for horses.
- Harvest Early in the Day: Cutting hay early when temperatures are cooler reduces sugar levels.
- Proper Drying: Let hay dry properly before baling to ensure sugar levels are reduced.
Conclusion: Hay is Vital for Your Horse’s Health
In conclusion, feeding hay to your horse is not just a matter of providing food; it’s about supporting their digestive health, metabolism, and overall well-being. By selecting the right type of hay and understanding its nutritional content, you can help prevent health problems and ensure your horse remains happy and healthy. Always consider your horse’s specific needs, test hay for its nutritional content when needed, and aim to provide a consistent, fibre-rich diet to keep them at their best.
Whether your horse is a leisure companion or a top competitor, hay plays a critical role in their daily care. A good hay diet ensures your horse’s health, longevity, and happiness—one chew at a time!
Hay Analysis Testing
For accurate hay analysis, consider these resources:
We have no affiliation with the above testing labs, so please contact them directly.
