Forages, especially hays, should be fed in a manner that minimizes:

• forage losses, particularly the loss of leaves, which contain the highest nutrient value
• fecal contamination, which increases forage losses and parasites
• dust inhalation, which increases respiratory problems.

Horses have a natural instinct to consume feed from the ground, as this mimics their natural grazing behavior. However, from a management standpoint, this is not always the best way to provide feed. When kept in either a stall or paddock, hay should be provided to horses in a hay container of some sort, such as a hayrack, hay net, feed trough, or feed bunk. Forage losses increase due to increased leaf loss when all hay is fed on the ground instead of in a feeder. Fecal and urine contamination can also occur when hay is fed on the ground, increasing the horses’ risk of ingesting parasites. Although most horses will pull hay from feeders to the ground, feeders make it easier to eliminate contaminated hay, and they are less wasteful.

Hay containers should be placed no higher than shoulder level of the individual horse. If the hay is placed higher than shoulder level, there is an increased chance of the horse getting hay into its eyes and inhaling dust particles. This could result in an increased incidence of respiratory problems, such as coughing and heaves.