Horse Health: Types of Hay & Forage

Hay is the basic staple of every equine's diet. Therefore, all measures should be taken to ensure your horse is receiving high-quality forage that keeps his or her digestive system moving and also provides necessary nutrients. In general, hay is split into two separate categories: grass and legume. Most hay varieties fall into the grass family, and the rest are classified as legume hay, such as clover or alfalfa.

Although being the most commonly fed, grass hays are generally low in calcium, zinc, certain vitamins, and also selenium. To provide a higher calcium and phosphorous intake, some owner's choose a type of grass hay known as timothy. Containing vitamins A and D, it also has a greater calcium percentage than most other grass hays. Hay obtained from prairie or wild grasses may contain less calcium as well, along with a less substantial source for vitamins and minerals. Some also contains weeds, further lowering the nutrient content.

As an example, orchard grass hays, timothy, and Bermuda posses more stalks, enhancing the fiber content of the hay. Generally, the leafier the hay, the less fiber is contained. It's always a wise idea to feed plenty of fiber, as this will keep your horse's digestive system active and can potentially prevent future health problems, such as a bout of colic.

Alternately, legume hays often are highly rich in nutrients and calcium. This can give your horse a substantial energy boost, as they also contain more calories than grass hay. Alfalfa, being a rich green color, is commonly fed. It contains a large quantity of calcium, so needs to be carefully fed, but also is a good protein source.

Because grass hay is generally unable to provide all the nutrients an equine needs to stay healthy, it is often fed along with other forages, pasture grass, grain concentrates, or a dietary supplement. Because horses are built to be constantly digesting food, grass hay provides the necessary roughage of a horses' diet. Also, a horse with weight problems will be less likely to have weight gain on grass hay, as it contains fewer calories than legume hay.

As a side note, legume hays that contain alfalfa and clover are prime roughage for horses that need to intake additional amino acids and calcium. This not only supports a young horse's growth and development, but can be highly suitable for pregnant mares as well.

As hay should take up roughly fifty percent of your equine's diet, buying good-quality hay is vital. Equine caretakers and owners need to be sure that hay is clean and free of dust, weeds, and mold, so as to keep their horse's health in prime condition.

Heather Smith Thomas. "Hay & Feeding Advice for Livestock Owners." Hobby Farms.

Audrey Pavia. "All About Hay." Horse Channel.