What You Need to Know About The Role of Hay in Your Horse’s Diet
How important is feeding hay to horses?
The vast majority of domestic horses in Australia are fed some type of hay, and for good reason. They are not native to this country and neither is a lot of the vegetation they evolved to survive on in the wild. That has meant providing purpose-grown pasture for them, with all the work and maintenance that goes with keeping paddocks full of grass suitable for horses… Or feeding hay.
In this article, we discuss the importance of hay for your horse, its benefits, types of hay, and address common questions surrounding its role in a horse’s diet. So, read on to discover the importance of hay in your horse’s diet.
Hay, Hay, Hay – It’s Important For Horses
Hay is one the most important things you’ll ever feed your horse. It provides essential nutrition, fulfils their forage needs, and helps supply the bulk of their dietary intake by weight. Indeed, without hay, or the alternative – access to good pasture – you’ll find it almost impossible to feed your horse correctly!
The Significance and Importance of Feeding Hay to Horses
Feeding hay to horses serves as a primary source of forage. It provides essential nutrients, aids digestion, and promotes dental health. Further, allowing free choice access to hay can mimic natural grazing habits and provide the psychological benefits that go with it.
However, understanding how your horse metabolises hay is key to understanding why it’s such an important component in their diet.
How Your Horse Metabolises Hay
Horses have a unique digestive system called a hindgut fermentation system. This allows them to extract nutrients from the fibrous components of plant material like hay. This fermentation process is key for supplying their energy needs and for overall digestive health.
They also have an incredibly long digestive tract – metres long in fact! So, by the time that biscuit of hay you saw disappearing at one end reappears at the other end, it’s completed quite a journey!
Chewing and Stomach
First, the fibre is ground up and broken down by the sideways motion of the horse’s jaw and teeth. During this process, the horse produces saliva that further helps digest the hay and moistens it for swallowing.
Once the hay reaches the horse’s stomach, gastric enzymes and acids partially digest the fibres in the hay. Remember, the equine stomach is relatively small. So, compared to other hay eaters, it is not as efficient at breaking down large volumes of fibrous material like hay. Rather, horses are trickle feeders and must continually eat and digest small volumes of food.
Small Intestine
The partially digested hay then moves into the ~21 metre long small intestine. Here digestive enzymes and beneficial bacteria break it down further. This releases nutrients in the hay – proteins, carbohydrates, and fats – for absorption. Most are absorbed in the small intestine.
Caecum
After passing through the small intestine, the remaining undigested hay enters the caecum, a 1.2 metre long fermentation chamber at the start of their large intestine. Here, specialised bacteria break down the remaining fibres, releasing volatile fatty acids that provide additional energy for the horse.
This fermentation process also generates a lot of internal heat, which helps keep the horse warm. For example, digesting one kilo of roughage produces enough heat to keep the horse warm for up to 3 hours. So – the more hay you feed, the longer they can stay warm.
Large Intestine and Small Colon
What’s left of the hay after the caecum has finished with it passes into the large intestine where fermentation continues. From there, any undigested material moves into the small colon (3 – 3.6 metres long). Any remaining water is absorbed here.
Finally, the remaining indigestible fibre is compacted into those familiar manure balls. These are then eliminated via the rectum.
Benefits and Importance of Feeding Hay to Horses
Hay is an ideal feed for horses for many reasons, although it’s important to note that not all hays suit all horses. Fat, laminitic ponies and horses for example should stay away from sugar-rich cereal hays (oaten, wheaten) and be fed low-sugar meadow hays instead. Having said that, the benefits of hay for the majority of horses are:
Fibre Content
Hay is very high in the type of bulky dietary fibre horse require for proper digestive function. It aids in maintaining a healthy gastrointestinal tract and prevents issues like colic and ulcers.
We mentioned this above – digesting fibre also generates heat, which helps keep the horse warm. Kind of like an internal combustion stove!
Dental Health
Several studies indicate that a predominantly roughage diet (like hay) improves equine dental health because it requires a wide range of jaw movement and a slower chewing rate than eating concentrates. However, equine dental technicians are increasingly finding that horses with prolonged access to high sugar hays have a higher incidence of caries than horses that aren’t.
Mental Stimulation
The act of grazing and foraging on hay provides mental stimulation for horses, satisfying their natural trickle feeding instincts and preventing boredom-related behaviours.
Nutritional Balance
Different types of hay offer varying nutritional profiles, allowing you to tailor your horse’s diet to their specific needs. Choosing the right hay and complementary supplements helps ensure a well-balanced nutritional intake for your horse.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Importance of Feeding Hay to Horses
How much hay should I feed my horse?
Horses typically require 1.5% to 2.5% of their body weight in hay daily. Factors like age, activity level, and metabolism should be considered when determining the appropriate amount.
What are the different types of hay?
Common types of hay in Australia include cereal hays (oaten, wheaten, barley) as well as meadow hay, grass hay, and lucerne hay. Each has its own nutritional composition and suitability for different horses and dietary requirements. Nutritional content of hay also varies from region to region across Australia.
Can hay quality vary?
Yes, hay quality can vary based on factors such as maturity at harvest, storage conditions, and presence of dust or mould. Choosing high-quality hay is important for your horse’s health. Never feed poor quality or mouldy hay to horses.
Is soaking hay necessary?
Soaking hay can be beneficial for horses with respiratory issues or specific dietary needs. Laminitic ponies and horses for example, or those with dental caries, often need to have their hay soaked prior to feeding to remove the sugars in it. However, if your horse is healthy, there’s no real benefit in soaking it. In fact, it may remove nutrients they need.
Can horses subsist solely on hay?
Yes, horses can receive most of their essential nutrition from high-quality hay. However, depending on the type of hay, additional supplementation may be required based on individual dietary needs.
Should I provide hay throughout the day or in specific feeding times?
Offering hay throughout the day to mimic natural grazing habits is ideal. Make sure your horse has access to hay for at least 16 hours if feeding times are limited.
How can I store hay properly?
Store hay in a dry, well-ventilated area, away from direct sunlight and moisture. Proper storage prevents mould growth and maintains hay quality.
Key Takeaways About The Importance of Feeding Hay to Horses
So – what is the importance of feeding hay to horses?
Hay is an important component of a horse’s diet, providing vital nutrition, aiding digestion, promoting dental health, and offering mental stimulation. Selecting high quality hay, considering the appropriate type for your horse’s needs, and ensuring consistent access are key factors for maintaining optimal nutrition. Remember, hay is not just feed—it’s an integral part of your horse’s wellbeing.
