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FAQ #474

I have a new boarding facility. Most horses are in moderate to light work with a few in heavy work. How much hay should they get?

Related resource areas: Horses


Horses should be fed a diet that is based on forage -- either hay or pasture or a combination of both. How much hay will be dependent on the quality. A timothy mixed hay does not tell much about the hay. Is it mixed with a legume, and how much legume is in the hay? Some timothy hay, while it looks good, can be low in nutrients due to the maturity of the hay when it was harvested. For horses in light work, hay at 1.5-2.0% of body weight is a good place to start. Hay of good nutrient quality will supply a large percentage of the nutrients the horses need. For horses in moderate work, 1.5% is a good place to start, but you could increase it above this if the quality of the hay allows. The amount of hay should be enough, but watch to make sure they are not leaving hay, as that is wasteful.

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