Products

Timothy hay is one of the most popular hays fed to horses. Timothy must be harvested in the pre- or early-bloom stage to ensure a high nutrient content. Timothy grass hay is commonly fed to horses, as well as cattle. It is relatively high in fiber, especially when cut at a later or more mature stage. The first cutting is typically preferred for feeding to horses as it has longer and harder fiber length, as well as longer seed heads. It is 10% protein and a good source of copper and zinc and has a good balance of protein and energy.

Alfalfa also called Lucerne is cultivated as an important forage crop and is used for grazing, hay, and silage. Several characteristics of alfalfa make it an excellent hay for horses. It is highly palatable and most horses will readily consume alfalfa hay. However, because of its high palatability, intake must be restricted to keep horses from overeating and becoming colicky. Alfalfa hay is high in good-quality protein. Crude protein values can be as high as 18 to 19 percent.

Alfalfa hay is high in energy. It has 120 percent more energy per unit in weight than oat hay. Therefore, it takes less hay to meet a horse’s nutrient needs when feeding alfalfa hay. However, the high-energy content may lead to overfeeding and to a fat horse.