Food For Thought Horse Series-Why Hay Is The Best Food For Horses:

Food For Thought Horse Series-Why Hay Is The Best Food For Horses

HAY FOR HORSES

Why Hay Matters and How It Replicates the Horse’s Natural Diet

Hay is one of the most important foods a horse can eat. In many cases, it is the most appropriate forage we can provide, helping to replicate the fibrous, lower-sugar grazing conditions horses evolved to thrive on.

Good hay supplies the long structural fibre horses rely on to maintain digestive health, support the hindgut microbiome and allow them to eat in the slow, continuous pattern their bodies were designed for.

To understand why hay is so beneficial, it helps to look at how horses evolved to eat.

Horses did not evolve on lush, fertilised paddocks or high-energy pasture. They evolved on open scrublands and dry grasslands, where forage was often sparse, fibrous and relatively low in sugars and energy.

Their digestive system reflects this environment.

THE NATURAL SCRUBLAND DIET

Wild horses evolved in landscapes made up of:

Dry grasses

Shrubs

Coarse stems

Seasonal plants

Low-nutrient forage

These environments required horses to walk, browse and graze slowly for many hours each day, consuming small amounts of fibrous plant material almost constantly.

This type of forage is very different from the rich, fast-growing grass found in many modern paddocks.

The horse’s digestive system is designed to process large amounts of fibre slowly, not large meals of concentrated or energy-dense feed.

MODERN GRASS CAN BE TOO RICH

In many regions today, pasture grasses have been bred or fertilised to grow quickly and produce high yields for livestock production.

While this works well for cattle or dairy systems, it often means pasture is too rich for horses, particularly those prone to metabolic stress, weight gain or laminitis.

High sugar pasture can overwhelm the horse’s digestive balance.

This is one reason why feeding hay can actually help bring the horse’s diet closer to the natural grazing environment they evolved to eat.

Many grass hays provide a more moderate and stable fibre source than rapidly growing pasture.

HAY HELPS RECREATE NATURAL GRAZING

When fed correctly, hay helps replicate the slow, continuous intake of fibrous plants horses would experience in nature.

Hay provides:

Long structural fibre

Slow chewing and saliva production

Stable fermentation in the hindgut

A steady release of energy from fibre digestion

Because hay is dried forage, it can also provide a more consistent nutritional profile than pasture, which varies with weather, sunlight, and growth stages.

SLOW FEEDING SUPPORTS THE HORSE’S DESIGN

Horses are natural trickle feeders. In the wild, they may spend 16 hours or more each day grazing or browsing.

One of the best ways to support this natural behaviour is by feeding hay in slow-feeder haynets.

Slow feeder systems help:

Reduce hay waste

Slow the rate of consumption

Extend feeding time

Encourage natural foraging behaviour

This helps replicate the slow grazing pattern horses evolved for.

REDUCING FOOD COMPETITION

When multiple horses are fed together, it is important to provide more than one hay feeding point.

Hanging extra haynets or spreading hay in multiple areas helps prevent dominant horses from guarding the food supply.

Providing several feeding stations helps:

Reduce food dominance

Allow lower-ranking horses access to forage

Create a calmer feeding environment

Reduce stress within the herd

A relaxed herd environment supports both physical and emotional well-being.

BENEFITS FOR DIGESTION AND HEALTH

Consistent fibre intake supports several key areas of horse health.

Digestive stability: Fibre keeps the digestive system moving and supports microbial fermentation in the hindgut.

Stomach buffering: Continuous chewing stimulates saliva production, which helps buffer stomach acid.

Hindgut microbiome health: Stable fibre intake feeds beneficial microbes that maintain digestive balance.

Reduced risk of digestive upset: Long periods without forage can increase the risk of digestive disturbances.

Providing regular access to hay helps support the natural digestive rhythm horses evolved to maintain.

EMOTIONAL WELLBEING FOR GRAZING ANIMALS

Horses are grazing animals both physically and emotionally.

The act of slowly eating forage provides mental comfort and natural behavioural expression.

When horses are unable to graze or forage regularly, stress behaviours can develop such as:

Fence chewing

Wood chewing

Stable restlessness

Food aggression

Allowing horses to spend time foraging and eating hay slowly helps support emotional balance and herd harmony.

REDUCING RISKS OF COMMON HEALTH ISSUES

A forage-based feeding system can help reduce the risk of several common horse health problems, including:

Colic

Laminitis

Gastric ulcers

Digestive imbalance

By supporting the horse’s natural digestive design, hay-based feeding helps maintain a stable internal environment.

THE FOUNDATION OF A HEALTHY DIET

Horse feeding does not need to be complicated.

Start with forage.

Support the hindgut.

Feed in a way that reflects the horse’s natural grazing behaviour.

In many cases, a diet based on good quality grass and hay keeps the horse closer to the natural scrubland diet they evolved to eat.

Do not feed it unless you need it.

Consultation Support

If you would like help assessing your horse’s diet, Natural Horse offers personalised Horse Support Consultations. These consultations help identify dietary triggers, simplify feeding programs and support hindgut health based on the individual horse.

Book a consultation here:https://www.naturalhorse.co.nz/horsesupportconsultations

Disclaimer

The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and is intended to support horse owners in making informed feeding decisions. It is not intended to replace veterinary diagnosis or treatment.

Every horse is an individual and nutritional needs vary depending on age, health status, workload and environment. Owners should consult with a qualified veterinarian or appropriate professional before making significant changes to a horse’s diet.