There are many reasons why a horse or pony may have little or no access to fresh grass. They may live on a track system, require restricted grazing, be on box rest, have limited winter turnout, or simply be managed primarily on hay or haylage.
Forage should remain at the heart of the diet. However, when a horse has little or no access to fresh pasture, there are some particular nutritional considerations associated with relying predominantly on hay or haylage.
So, if your horse is living mainly on hay or haylage, what should you be thinking about?
Is hay enough for a horse?
Good-quality hay or haylage can provide the majority of a horse’s energy and fibre requirements, particularly for horses in light work or those that maintain weight easily.
However, forage is not automatically a complete diet.
Forage varies considerably in its nutritional and mineral content according to factors such as soil, grass species, growing conditions, harvesting and storage.
While forage analysis can be useful, the result is only representative of the sample submitted. For many owners, obtaining a truly representative sample across all the forage being fed isn’t practical.
This doesn’t mean you can’t provide a well-balanced diet without forage analysis. A well-formulated balancer can provide a practical way of complementing a forage-based diet and supplying nutrients that may otherwise be low or insufficient.
There are some nutrients that deserve particular consideration when a horse has little or no access to fresh pasture.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is an important antioxidant, and fresh green grass is a natural dietary source for horses.
Once grass is cut, its vitamin E content declines rapidly.
For horses and ponies receiving little or no fresh grass, it is therefore important that the diet provides an appropriate source of vitamin E.
Vitamin A and Vitamin D
Fresh grass is an important source of beta-carotene, which horses convert into vitamin A. Hay can also be a source, although levels decline during storage.
Vitamin D can be supplied by forage, including sun-cured hay. Horses can store reserves of vitamins A and D in the liver, so a short period without fresh grass doesn’t necessarily mean additional supplementation is needed.
For horses relying mainly on stored hay or haylage, a well-formulated balancer can help ensure an appropriate dietary supply of both vitamins.
Copper and Zinc
Copper and zinc are essential trace minerals with important roles throughout the horse’s body, including normal hoof, skin and coat health.
UK forage rarely provides copper and zinc in amounts sufficient to meet a horse’s requirements, so these minerals are important considerations when balancing the diet.
It is also important to consider the overall mineral balance rather than simply adding large amounts of individual minerals.
For most horse owners, a well-formulated vitamin and mineral balancer provides a practical way to supplement a forage-based diet without needing to add numerous individual minerals.
Protein and essential amino acids
The protein content and quality of forage can vary considerably. Horses relying predominantly on hay or haylage therefore need an appropriate supply of essential amino acids.
Rather than simply feeding more protein, the aim is to ensure the overall diet provides an appropriate balance of essential amino acids.
Omega-3 fatty acids
Fresh grass is a natural source of omega-3 fatty acids. Once grass is cut and conserved as hay, the amount available declines, so horses receiving little or no fresh grass may benefit from an additional dietary source.
Linseed is a useful plant-based source of omega-3 and can be particularly helpful in forage-based diets where access to fresh pasture is limited.
Salt and sodium
Forage is generally low in sodium, so horses should have an appropriate source of salt in the diet.
Requirements increase with sweating and will vary according to factors such as workload and temperature.
Fresh, clean water should always be freely available.
What about soaked hay?
Soaking hay can reduce water-soluble carbohydrates, and with them some of the hay’s energy content, but some nutrients can also be lost.
The amount lost varies depending on the forage and how it is soaked. For horses relying heavily on soaked hay, it is therefore important that the overall diet provides an appropriate balance of vitamins and minerals.
My horse is overweight , do they still need balancer?
Yes, being overweight doesn’t mean a horse’s vitamin and mineral needs are already covered. This is particularly relevant for good doers whose grazing or forage is restricted.
A powdered vitamin and mineral balancer can provide these nutrients without adding unnecessary calories and can be fed in a suitable low-calorie mash.
So what should I feed a horse with little or no grass?
For many owners, a well-formulated powdered balancer provides a practical way to complement a hay or haylage-based diet.
Pro Hay Boost was specifically formulated for horses and ponies with limited or no access to fresh grass, including those fed hay, haylage or soaked hay, and those on track systems, restricted grazing or box rest.
As a powdered balancer, it can be fed in a suitable mash, allowing the rest of the diet to be tailored to the individual horse.
Find out more about Pro Hay Boost →