What Kind of Hay Suits Your Horse?

What Kind of Hay Suits Your Horse?

Hay is the foundation of a horse’s diet—but not all hay is the same. Different horses require different nutrient concentrations and fiber levels in order to keep health and performance optimal. With these tips, you can check what kind of hay would be best for your horse and how the hay you are currently using fits that individual.

Which factors determine what kind of hay is suitable?

  1. The horse’s needs: age, workload, breed, body condition score, metabolism (EMS/PPID/PSSM), gastric-ulcer/respiratory sensitivity, any illnesses, teeth.

  2. Sward & harvest stage: earlier harvest = higher D-value (digestibility) and sugar, lower fiber (NDF); later harvest = lower D-value and generally also lower sugar and higher fiber content.

  3. Preservation & dry matter: dry hay vs pre-wilted haylage (pH, ammonia-N, DM) – affects keeping quality, dustiness, and intake.

  4. Hygiene: molds/yeasts, soil or weed contamination, dust – especially important for older horses and those with sensitive airways.

  5. Feeding routines: ability to provide steady portions (slow feeder), soaking/steaming, storage.

  6. The total diet: minerals/vitamins separately; the need for concentrates decreases the better the D-value & SRV.

Hay recommendations by horse group

1) Older horse

  • Goal: easy to chew, dust-free, enough energy and digestible protein.
  • D-value (digestibility): ~68–72% if there is a tendency to lose weight; in maintenance, ~65–68% may be sufficient.
  • SRV (digestible crude protein): ≥50 g/kg DM.
  • Sugar: keep moderate (<100 g/kg DM), especially if there is a PPID/EMS risk.
  • In practice: fine-leafed, soft hay or high-quality pre-wilted haylage. If needed, chopped/soaked.

2) Young horse (foal, growing 1–3 years)

  • Goal: forage that provides both energy and protein for growth—without excessive sugar.
  • D-value (digestibility): ~68–72%.
  • CP/DCP (protein): clearly higher than in adults (e.g., CP often 80–110+, SRV ≥55–60 g/kg DM).
  • Sugar: moderate.
  • Note: minerals in balance (Ca:P ≈ 1.5–2:1).

3) Leisure horse (maintenance–light/moderate work)

  • Goal: filling, moderately energetic basic hay—often hay alone is sufficient.
  • D-value (digestibility): ~62–68%.
  • SRV (digestible crude protein): ~40–55 g/kg DM.
  • NDF (fiber): ~550–650 g/kg DM.
  • Sugar: preferably <120 g/kg DM (in sensitive horses <100).

4) Competition horse (hard work/training)

  • Goal: highly digestible and palatable hay so that plenty of energy and protein are provided without excessive concentrates.
  • D-value (digestibility): ~68–74%.
  • SRV (digestible crude protein): ~55–70 g/kg DM.
  • NDF (fiber): ~500–600 g/kg DM (not too coarse).
  • Sugar: moderate; consider the individual’s sensitivity.
  • Also: top hygiene, steady intake, minerals/electrolytes separately.

5) Easy keeper / EMS-prone

  • Goal: lower-energy, filling, low-sugar hay.
  • D-value (digestibility): ~58–64%.
  • NDF (fiber): ~600–700 g/kg DM.
  • Sugar: <100 g/kg DM (preferably 60–80).
  • SRV (digestible crude protein): ~35–45 g/kg DM is enough for maintenance.

In practice: slow feeders; feed on a dry-matter basis about 1.2–1.5% of body weight/day; if needed, soak for 30–60 min to reduce sugar. For example, 1.5% for a 500 kg horse is 7.5 kg.

(Ranges are indicative—use the analysis values as direction and adjust based on body condition and workload.)

Checklist

1. Dry matter content

  • Determines how much hay the horse needs in order to receive enough energy and nutrients.
  • For example, the drier the forage, the smaller the volume needed to cover the same nutrient content.

2. D-value and energy

  • Low D-value hay is not enough on its own for a working horse → additional energy is needed, for example from grain or fat.
  • A good D-value reduces the need for concentrates.

3. Crude protein

  • Low protein requires supplementation, especially for young horses, foals, pregnant mares, and horses in training.
  • Excess protein is not usually harmful, but it may be unnecessary expense and can increase ammonia load from urine in the stable.

4. Sugars

  • Too high a sugar level can cause issues, for example in laminitis-prone horses.
  • If sugar is high, hay can be soaked in water for 30–60 minutes to remove sugar.

5. Fiber (NDF)

  • Helps regulate eating speed and fills the stomach.
  • Forage that is too low in fiber → the horse may bolt feed and still feel hungry.

Salt, water, and electrolytes

  • Daily salt at least ~25–40 g/day (500 kg horse in maintenance); in work/sweating, add 25–75 g depending on the situation. Also provide a salt lick.
  • Water: cool and clean, always available; on warm days, needs can rise to >40 L/day.

    Electrolytes (Na, Cl, K) on training days for horses that sweat.

    Older horses: teeth & chewing—need soft, dust-free forage; SRV preferably ≥50 g/kg DM. If needed, pre-moistened or “chopped” hay.

Domestic sources:

  • Luonnonvarakeskus (Luke) – Feed tables and feeding recommendations for horses
  • Hevostietokeskus ry – Horse feeding guide
  • Suomen Hippos ry – Horse feeding and wellbeing (publications and articles)
  • University of Helsinki, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine – Equine nutrition (teaching materials and research)

International sources:

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