How to Choose the Right Hay for Your Horse

Selecting the right hay to feed your horse is critical to their health. Horses are grazing animals that require a diet that consists of large amounts of fibrous plants. While you may need to supplement their diet with grain, horses should be getting most of their nutritional needs through roughage.

Hay provides your horse with vital nutrients, such as protein, fat, carbs, vitamins, and minerals, but not all grass is equal when it comes to nutritional value. As you work through your horse's feeding program, it is important to take the time to properly select the best hay for them.

For easy keepers (horses that easily maintain a healthy weight), lower-quality (less energy-dense) grass hay is acceptable. However, horses with high nutrient demands - hard keepers, heavily exercised, and lactating mares will benefit from higher quality hay, such as legume hays.

Here is a 6-step guide on how to choose hay for your horse.