Manitoba Horse Hay: Nutrition and Feeding FAQs
1. What factors affect a horse’s nutrient requirements?
- Body weight and body condition
- Age (growing vs. mature)
- Climate
- Activity level (light to strenuous work)
- Health status
- Temperament/breed (light vs. heavy types)
- Pregnancy or lactation
2. How is body condition assessed?
North America uses the Henneke 9‑point scoring system.
Europe and Australia commonly use the Huntington 5‑point system, which often employs half scores—effectively making both systems comparable on a 9‑point scale.
Europe and Australia commonly use the Huntington 5‑point system, which often employs half scores—effectively making both systems comparable on a 9‑point scale.
Henneke Body Condition Scores (9‑Point Scale)
(1 = poor/emaciated, 9 = extremely fat)
(1 = poor/emaciated, 9 = extremely fat)
Score |
Rating |
Appearance / Description |
1 |
Poor |
Animal emaciated. All bones prominent (hips, ribs, spine). Withers, shoulders, and neck sharply defined. No fat felt; severe muscle wasting. |
2 |
Very Thin |
Emaciated but slight fat over spinous processes. Slight rounding over ribs, tailhead, and hip joints. Withers, shoulders, and neck still prominent. |
3 |
Thin |
Fat halfway up spinous processes. Spine and ribs easily seen. Tailhead obvious. Hip and buttock more rounded but still noticeable. Withers, shoulders, and neck less prominent. |
4 |
Moderately Thin |
Negative crease along back. Faint rib outline visible. Tailhead may be prominent; fat can be felt around area. Hips less visible. Withers, shoulders, and neck not obviously thin. |
5 |
Moderate |
Back level. Ribs not visible but easily felt. Fat around tailhead feels spongy. Withers rounded. Shoulders and neck blend smoothly into body. |
6 |
Moderately Fleshy |
Slight crease down back. Fat over ribs feels soft/spongy. Fat deposits along withers, behind shoulders, and along the neck. Tailhead fat soft. |
7 |
Fleshy |
Possible crease dow |
3. What is the main sign of energy deficiency or excess?
- Deficiency: horses lose weight, appear thin.
- Excess: horses become overweight or obese.
4. Which horses have the greatest nutrient requirements?
Newborn foals have the highest energy and protein needs relative to body size.
5. Do performance horses need high protein?
No. Performance requires energy, not protein.
- Energy comes mainly from carbohydrates (grain).
- Endurance horses may benefit from added dietary fat (up to ~15% in commercial feeds).
6. Do pregnant mares need a more nutritious diet?
Yes—but only in late pregnancy (last 3 months).
Energy, protein, calcium, and phosphorus requirements increase by 10–20% at that stage.
Early pregnancy needs are similar to those of non‑pregnant horses.
Energy, protein, calcium, and phosphorus requirements increase by 10–20% at that stage.
Early pregnancy needs are similar to those of non‑pregnant horses.
7. Do lactating mares need more nutrition?
Yes.
A lactating mare needs almost double the energy, protein, and minerals of a mare in early pregnancy.
A 500 kg mare produces ~15 L of milk per day.
A lactating mare needs almost double the energy, protein, and minerals of a mare in early pregnancy.
A 500 kg mare produces ~15 L of milk per day.
8. What minimum information should a feed analysis include?
- Moisture
- Crude protein
- Calcium
- Phosphorus
- Estimated energy
- Copper & zinc (important in Western Canada)
9. Do hays or grains provide enough fat?
Yes. Horses require very little fat.
Hays and grains (3–5% fat) meet basic needs.
Added oil may improve bloom but is not essential.
Hays and grains (3–5% fat) meet basic needs.
Added oil may improve bloom but is not essential.
10. Is oats hay toxic to horses?
Not usually—but high nitrate levels can be dangerous.
Avoid feeding nitrate‑contaminated cereal hays, especially to pregnant mares and young horses.
Avoid feeding nitrate‑contaminated cereal hays, especially to pregnant mares and young horses.
11. How much can a horse eat?
Horses consume 1.5%–3.5% of body weight daily.
For a 1000 lb horse: 15–35 lb/day.
For a 1000 lb horse: 15–35 lb/day.
Palatable feeds increase voluntary intake; horses eat pellets much faster than long hay.
12. Why does my horse chew wood?
Usually boredom or lack of long forage—not nutrient deficiency.
Horses fed only pellets eat quickly and seek something to chew.
Horses fed only pellets eat quickly and seek something to chew.
13. What does 1:1 or 2:1 mineral mean?
It refers to the calcium:phosphorus ratio.
Select higher‑calcium products when dietary calcium needs are greater.
Select higher‑calcium products when dietary calcium needs are greater.
14. What mineral should horses receive with alfalfa vs. timothy hay?
- Alfalfa (high Ca): Use 1:1 mineral.
- Grass hays (low Ca): Use 2:1 mineral.
- High grain diets: Often need a 3:1 mineral.
15. Do horses need grain?
Only horses with high energy requirements (e.g., racehorses).
Most horses thrive on good‑quality forage alone.
Most horses thrive on good‑quality forage alone.
16. Why is the calcium:phosphorus ratio important?
Bone formation requires about 2:1 Ca:P.
- Mature horses tolerate 1:1 to 8:1.
- Growing horses require 1.5:1 to 3:1.
Adequate calcium and phosphorus must be present—not just the correct ratio.
17. Do horses have hay preferences?
Yes. Many prefer brome, timothy, and alfalfa to ryegrass or fescue.
Preference does not always equal better nutrition.
Preference does not always equal better nutrition.
18. Why is hay important?
Provides fiber for gut health, preventing:
- Colic
- Founder
- Wood chewing
- Other vices
19. What characteristics do hays have relative to other feeds?
- Bulky, high fiber
- Moderate energy
- Higher calcium than phosphorus
- High potassium
- High vitamins A, E, K
- Sun‑cured hay has more vitamin D
- Alfalfa = high protein & calcium
- Timothy/brome = lower protein & calcium
20. Does alfalfa cause bloat?
Rarely.
However, horses prone to laminitis should be introduced slowly to lush alfalfa.
However, horses prone to laminitis should be introduced slowly to lush alfalfa.
21. Does alfalfa harm kidneys?
Not in healthy horses.
High protein increases urine ammonia smell; high calcium causes white urine residue.
High protein increases urine ammonia smell; high calcium causes white urine residue.
22. What information should I give my nutritionist/vet?
- Body weight
- Age, breed
- Housing & feeding management
- Type & amount of feed
- Horse’s work level
- Water source
- Forage analysis (if available)
23. How do I assess hay quality?
Hay must be:
- Green
- Leafy
- Dust‑ and mold‑free
- Fresh smelling
Then submit a lab analysis (wet chemistry preferred).
24. How do I collect a hay sample?
Use a bale core sampler; take 15–20 random bales per lot.
Sample different hay types separately.
Sample different hay types separately.
25. What is the nutritional value of beet pulp?
- ~9% protein
- High fiber
- Low in minerals/vitamins—requires supplementation
- Often fed with molasses for palatability
- Can be fed wet or dry (debated)
26. How important is hay color?
Green is desirable but not a guarantee of quality.
Always check smell and shake for dust/mold.
Always check smell and shake for dust/mold.
27. Can slightly dusty hay be fed?
Yes—soak 10–30 minutes before feeding.
Shake out dust if feeding outdoors.
Shake out dust if feeding outdoors.
28. How should hay be stored?
Prevent moisture exposure:
- Store on high ground
- Use pallets to avoid ground wicking
- Cover with tarp or place in a shed
- Allow airflow to reduce mold formation
29. How should salt be fed?
Provide both:
- A mineral salt mix (≈25% salt)
- A loose salt or salt block
Loose salt may be better in winter.
30. How much alfalfa should horses get?
Depends on nutrient requirements, not percentage.
High‑need horses (foals, lactating mares) benefit most from alfalfa.
Idle horses may not need any.
High‑need horses (foals, lactating mares) benefit most from alfalfa.
Idle horses may not need any.
31. What is the best oil to add as energy?
Any vegetable oil:
- Canola, corn, soybean, rice bran oil.
Choose the cheapest available.
32. Why is dust harmful to horses but less so to cattle?
Dust is usually mold spores, which can cause heaves (COPD) in horses.
Horse lungs are more sensitive than cattle.
Horse lungs are more sensitive than cattle.
33. Do horses need pellet or feed supplements?
Sometimes—especially when forage alone cannot meet a horse’s specific nutrient needs (e.g., yearlings vs. mature horses eating the same hay).
34. When should rice bran be fed?
Useful for horses requiring extra dietary fat, including:
- Horses with PSSM
- Endurance horses
Less useful for horses in short‑duration, high‑intensity work.
35. Can barley or corn replace oats?
Yes, but:
- Both are more energy‑dense than oats
- Feed by weight, not volume
- Corn is low protein—not ideal for growing horses
- Risk of founder if overfed
- Moldy corn can contain toxins
36. What is the nutritional value of wheat bran?
Low nutritional value except for fiber—and expensive per unit of fiber.
Hay is a better fiber source.
Hay is a better fiber source.