Equine Quality Hay
Horses are natural grazers, spending an average of 16 to 22 hours per day eating and chewing. Choosing the right forage is essential to supporting your horse’s overall health and nutritional needs.
Types of Hay
Hay is broadly classified into three categories: grass hays, legumes, and mixed hays.
- Grass Hays are most nutrient-dense and easiest to digest when harvested early in the growth cycle. Older growth hays contain more fiber content.
- Legume Hays maintain more consistent leaf quality throughout the growth cycle, though stems become more coarse and fibrous with age.
- Mixed Hays combine grass and legume varieties, offering a well-rounded nutritional profile.
Choosing the Right Hay
Regional availability often influences hay selection. For mature horses, quality grass hay provides an ideal balance of calcium and phosphorus. Pregnant, lactating, and growing horses benefit from the inclusion of legume hay to support higher protein intake and elevated nutrient requirements. A grass-legume mix is an excellent option for these animals.
Contact Us
To learn more about Feedstuff’s equine quality hay products or to place an order, contact Bill Glisson at bglisson@feedstuffsales.com or call 813-690-4100.