How to Choose the Best Type of Forage for Your Horse

Choosing the right type of forage for your horse isn't rocket science, but it's also not as simple as grabbing whatever's on sale at the feed store. At Mole Avon Country Stores, we've watched enough horse owners stand paralyzed in front of towering hay bales, clearly wondering if they're about to make a £200 mistake.

Here's the thing about what forage for horses is: it should make up 60-80% of your horse's diet by weight. Yet somehow, many of us obsess over expensive supplements while feeding whatever hay was cheapest. It's like buying premium petrol for a car with a broken engine.

Forage forms the foundation of equine nutrition, which means getting it wrong affects everything else. No amount of fancy supplements will fix a diet built on poor-quality roughage.

Let's clear something up right away: the best straw for horses isn't meant to be their main food source, despite what your grandfather's horseman friend might insist. Straw works brilliantly as bedding- it's absorbent, relatively dust-free when it's good quality, and horses seem to enjoy the satisfying rustle factor.

If you're using straw as supplementary forage, barley straw tends to be the most palatable option, though it packs more energy than wheat or oat straw. Wheat straw is tougher and less digestible, which makes it perfect for horses that inhale their food like they're late for something important.

The reality is that straw should be treated as roughage rather than nutrition. It's useful for horses that need to slow down their eating, lose weight, or just need something to keep them occupied without adding significant calories. Think of it as the equine equivalent of celery—lots of chewing, not much substance.

The type of hay for horses you choose depends on several factors that matter: your horse's workload, age, weight, and any health considerations. Not the color of your horse or what your neighbor feeds theirs.

Timothy hay represents the gold standard for many horse owners, and for good reason. It's relatively low in protein and sugar, making it suitable for most horses without causing weight gain or energy spikes that turn your gentle trail horse into a four-legged rocket.

Meadow hay offers more variety, containing a mix of grasses and sometimes herbs. This diversity can be beneficial, providing a range of nutrients and flavors that horses seem to enjoy. It's like the difference between eating the same sandwich every day versus having a varied menu.

Ryegrass hay tends to be more energy-dense and palatable, making it excellent for horses in hard work or those that need to gain weight. Just be aware that some horses find it so delicious they'll eat themselves into trouble if you let them.

Meadow haylage has gained popularity in recent years, and it's not just because it sounds fancy. It's essentially hay that's been cut earlier and wrapped while still containing more moisture, creating a fermented product that's often more digestible and palatable than traditional hay.

The fermentation process breaks down some of the fiber, making nutrients more available to the horse's digestive system. This can be particularly beneficial for older horses whose digestive efficiency might be declining—basically, it's pre-chewed for them.

The higher moisture content also means less dust, which is a blessing for horses with respiratory sensitivities. Though it does mean you'll go through it faster, and your feed bill will remind you of this fact regularly.

Ryegrass haylage for horses represents the premium end of the forage spectrum. It's typically higher in energy, protein, and digestibility compared to meadow haylage or traditional hay. This makes it an excellent choice for horses with high energy demands: competition horses, breeding stock, or those recovering from weight loss.

The palatability of ryegrass haylage is generally excellent, which can be both a blessing and a curse. Horses tend to eat it enthusiastically—sometimes too enthusiastically for their good. It's like giving a child unlimited access to candy; just because they love it doesn't mean it's always appropriate.

Timing becomes crucial with ryegrass haylage. It's ideal during periods of increased work, cold weather when horses need extra calories, or when trying to improve condition in underweight horses. But feed it to an easy keeper during summer turnout, and you might find yourself with a horse that's suddenly too energetic for its good.

Understanding when to use ryegrass haylage requires an honest assessment of your horse's actual needs, not what you think they deserve. It's a powerful tool in horse health and nutrition, but like any powerful tool, it needs to be used thoughtfully rather than enthusiastically.

At Mole Avon, we understand that choosing the right forage isn't just about nutrition - it's about understanding your horse, your management system, and your budget. For guidance on selecting the right Mole Avon hay and haylage, contact us today.