How to Supplement Your Horse's Diet with High-Quality Hay

February 25, 2025

Hay is the cornerstone of a horse’s diet, providing essential fiber, nutrients, and energy. Given that horses have evolved as continuous grazers, they require a consistent intake of forage to maintain optimal digestive health. When pasture access is limited or unavailable, hay becomes the primary source of forage. It supports proper gut function, maintains a healthy microbial balance, and helps prevent conditions such as colic and gastric ulcers.

Identifying Nutritional Gaps in a Hay-Based or Forage-Only Diets

When choosing a “hay-based” or “forage-only” diet, even high-quality hay may not provide all the essential nutrients a horse needs, requiring careful supplementation. To ensure horses receive a balanced diet, supplements can help fill the gaps in protein, vitamins, minerals, and energy through ration balancers.

How to Supplement Horses on Pasture or Lower Quality Hay with Premium Forage Options

When pasture quality declines due to seasonal changes, drought, or overgrazing, supplementing with high-quality hay helps maintain a consistent nutrient intake. Additionally, if local hay utilized in the horse’s diet is lower in quality, premium forage options like Standlee can improve the diet balance and ensure horses receive essential nutrients, while minimizing grain concentrate needs.

Key considerations:

Match the hay type to the nutritional needs of the horse

• Grass hays (e.g., timothy, orchardgrass, teff, Bermuda) are lower in protein and calories but provide good fiber
• Legume hays (e.g., alfalfa, clover) offer higher protein, calcium, and energy, making them ideal for growing, working, or pregnant horses

Provide hay before pasture becomes scarce

• Gradually introduce hay before pasture quality deteriorates to ease the transition and minimize digestive upset

Ensure hay is properly stored

• Store hay in a dry, well-ventilated area to prevent mold and nutrient loss

How to Transition Safely to Higher Quality Hay

Switching from pasture or lower quality hay to high-quality hay should be done gradually to minimize digestive upset.

Step-by-step transition process:

1.) Introduce small amounts to the horse’s diet

• Start by mixing 25% new hay with 75% current hay (or pasture access)
• Increase the proportion of new hay by 10-15% daily over 7–10 days until fully transitioned

2.) Monitor the horse’s digestive response

• Watch for signs of colic, bloating, or loose stool in the horse
• If any issues arise, slow the transition process and consult a veterinarian if needed

3.) Ensure proper hydration in the horse

• Higher fiber intake from hay increases water requirements
• Provide clean, fresh water at all times and consider adding loose salt or electrolytes to encourage drinking

4.) Adjust for the individual needs of the horse

• Easy keepers may require lower calorie grass hay to prevent excessive weight gain
• Hard keepers, performance horses, or broodmares may benefit from alfalfa or higher-calorie hay varieties to meet energy demands

Key Benefits of Consistency When Feeding Horses Higher Quality Hay

Maintaining a consistent diet is crucial for a horse’s digestive health, especially when traveling or changing environments. Standlee hay products provide a reliable and consistent forage source that can be fed at home and on the road, with the following benefits:

Reduces digestive upset

Horses have sensitive digestive systems that require gradual changes in diet. Feeding the same high-quality hay reduces the likelihood of colic or diarrhea when traveling.

Reliable availability

Standlee hay products are widely distributed at farm and ranch retail stores across the country, making it easy to find the same forage, no matter where you go.

Supports performance and condition

A consistent forage source ensures horses receive the same nutrient profile, preventing fluctuations in energy levels and weight.

Ideal for horses with dietary sensitivities

Horses with metabolic conditions, allergies, or sensitivities benefit from a uniform diet, reducing exposure to unexpected feed changes.

Example Diet Plans for Horses

Every horse is an individual with unique nutritional needs influenced by its environment, workload, and other factors. Feeding programs should be tailored to the specific horse rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach. The table below shows an example diet plan, based on the type of horse, when wanting to introduce Standlee’s high-quality forage to their horse’s feed program.

Here is a particular scenario for a performance horse diet example:

• Exercise: 5 days per week, 1-hour training sessions
• Diet: 15lb local hay, 5lb Standlee hay, 4lb grain concentrate
• Results: Improved stamina, muscle tone, and consistent digestive health

Ponies and miniatures require smaller portions. A 300lb pony may consume:

• 4lb local hay + 1lb Standlee hay
• No grain (unless needed for specific deficiencies)
• Ration balancer to meet micronutrient needs

By strategically supplementing with high-quality hay, you ensure your horse maintains optimal health and performance while minimizing dietary deficiencies. Standlee products provide a consistent, high-quality forage option, making diet management easier and more effective.

If you have specific questions about your horse’s diet, please contact the nutritionists at Standlee, or consult with your veterinarian.

By Dr. Tania Cubitt
Standlee Nutritional Expert - Performance Horse Nutrition

Additional Gut Health Resources for Horses

Standlee Nutritional Papers

• Enhancing a Horse’s Diet with Premium Forage FAQ

From the Standlee Beyond The Barn Podcast

• Ep. 069: The Consequences of Ignoring Vitamins & Minerals for Horses