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Ingredient

Timothy Hay

Timothy hay is used as a feed ingredient in equine diets primarily for its high fiber content and digestibility. It serves as a source of roughage, which is essential for maintaining gut motility and digestive health in horses. Compared to legume hays like alfalfa, Timothy hay has a lower protein content and calcium levels. It is often included in formulated feeds and supplements to provide structured fiber, support chewing activity, and promote a healthy digestive system.

Timothy hay can be included in feeds in multiple forms to accommodate different feeding preferences and management systems. Chopped hay consists of short-cut dried Timothy hay, while pelleted Timothy hay is made by grinding the dried hay into a uniform meal and compressing it into pellets.

The following equine feeds, supplements and products contain Timothy Hay as an ingredient.

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Feeds, Supplements & Products 87 entries
50/50 Alfalfa/Timothy Cubes (Summit Forage Products)
Caloric EnergyCaloric Energy
FiberFiber
ForageForage
ProteinProtein
Summit 50/50 Alfalfa/Timothy Cubes are intended to supply 12% crude protein and can be used to add calories to the diet of performance, breeding, and growing horses.
Achiever Non-GMO (Daily Dose Equine)
GrainsGrains
Gut HealthGut Health
Ration BalancerRation Balancer
VitaminsVitamins
Achiever Non-GMO by Daily Dose Equine is a textured feed that is intended to be fed as a forage ration balancer. It contains vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and probiotics meant for proper nutrient absorption.
Albers Special 6 (Albers Animal Feed)
Complete FeedComplete Feed
FatFat
FiberFiber
Weight IssuesWeight Issues
Albers Special 6 from Albers Animal Feed is a complete feed that contains higher fat, lower carb levels. It can be fed to any horse of any age and is meant to aid in weight-gain.
Alfa-Timothy LONGfibe® Forage Cubes (MAAAX Equine Feed)
FiberFiber
ForageForage
Gut HealthGut Health
Hay StretcherHay Stretcher
Alfa-Timothy LONGfibe® Forage Cubes are comprised of alfalfa and timothy hay cut into 3 inch long pieces to provide long-stem forage when hay is in short supply. They do not require soaking and can be used as a supplement carrier or when a low-dust diet is required.
Alfalfa Timothy Brome Pellets (Mountain Sunrise Feed Co)
FiberFiber
ForageForage
Gut HealthGut Health
Low NSC FeedsLow NSC Feeds
Alfalfa Timothy Brome Pellets by Mountain Sunrise Feed Co is a pelleted feed that contains no less than 11% protein It is intended to help keep a balance between calcium and phosphorus.
Alfalfa Timothy Chopped (Standlee)
DentalDental
ForageForage
Hay StretcherHay Stretcher
HealthHealth
Alfalfa Timothy Chopped from Standlee is intended for horses with dental issues due to the short chop length. This feed contains added canola oil, and is highly palatable.
Alfalfa Timothy Cubes (Standlee)
FiberFiber
ForageForage
NutrientsNutrients
ProteinProtein
Alfalfa Timothy Cubes by Standlee are a blended forage of alfalfa and timothy hay, naturally low in protein, fat, and sugar.
Alfalfa Timothy Hay Pellets (Star Milling Co)
DentalDental
FiberFiber
ForageForage
NutritionNutrition
Alfalfa/Timothy pellets by Star Milling Co are a 50:50 blend of alfalfa and bermuda hay in a 1/4 inch pellet, designed as a forage replacement for horses. This product contains a minimum of 12% protein and has no added binders, molasses, minerals, or vitamins.
Alfalfa-Timothy Cubes (Ontario Dehy)
ForageForage
Gut HealthGut Health
Hay StretcherHay Stretcher
HealthHealth
Ontario Dehy Alfalfa-Timothy Cubes are a cubed horse feed providing a blend of 50% alfalfa and 50% timothy hay. These dehydrated cubes are a convenient forage replacement in a low-dust format designed to prevent mold and retain nutrients.
Alfalfa/Timothy Pellets (Standlee)
FiberFiber
ForageForage
Gut HealthGut Health
ProteinProtein
Alfalfa-Timothy Pellets are made from blend of alfalfa and timothy hay. This feed provides moderate protein (12%) and energy with high fibre content for horses that require additional forage in their diet.
Amber Grains Elite Serenity Ultra LS (Coker Feed Mill)
HealthHealth
Low NSC FeedsLow NSC Feeds
Metabolic SyndromeMetabolic Syndrome
SeniorSenior
Amber Grains Elite Serenity Ultra LS by Coker Feed Mill is a low NSC (8.94%) pelleted feed intended for horses with sensitive digestive systems.
Bio-Cube® Alfa-Timothy Cubes (MAAAX Equine Feed) – [Discontinued]
FiberFiber
Hay StretcherHay Stretcher
HindgutHindgut
RespiratoryRespiratory
Bio-Cube® Alfa-Timothy Cubes is a now discontinued forage cube containing alfalfa and timothy grass hay. It is designed to be fed soaked and mixed with hay.
Blue Bag Grass Pellets (Simple System Horse Feeds)
FiberFiber
ForageForage
IngredientIngredient
Weight IssuesWeight Issues
Blue Bag Grass Pellets are a high fibre grass pellets for horses. It is suitable for horses in moderate levels of work or horses needing improved body condition.
Carb-Buster Non-GMO (Daily Dose Equine)
Gut HealthGut Health
Low NSC FeedsLow NSC Feeds
Ration BalancerRation Balancer
VitaminsVitamins
Carb-Buster Non-GMO by Daily Dose Equine is a premixed feed that is intended to be fed as a forage ration balancer. It contains vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and probiotics meant for proper nutrient absorption.
Complement Advantage (Excel Equine Feeds)
FiberFiber
HealthHealth
NutrientsNutrients
NutritionNutrition
Complement Advantage by Excel Equine Feeds is a textured feed intended for hard keepers or horses in heavy training.
Crypto Aero Whole Food Horse Feed
Complete FeedComplete Feed
FiberFiber
Gut HealthGut Health
Low NSC FeedsLow NSC Feeds
Crypto Aero is a 13.5% protein, 11% fat, 28% NSC whole-food horse feed. It is formulated with non-GMO whole oats, timothy and alfalfa pellets, sunflower seeds, peas, rice bran oil, ground flax, spirulina and a blend of herbs.
Crypto Aero Wild Forage (Crypto Aero)
FatFat
ForageForage
NutritionNutrition
ProteinProtein
Crypto Aero Wild Forage is formulated with timothy, alfalfa, ground flax, fenugreek and spirulina to promote digestive health and coat health. It has no added soy, corn or artificial flavours.
Diamond Smart Cube (Triple Crown)
DentalDental
ForageForage
PerformancePerformance
SeniorSenior
Diamond Smart Cubes by Triple Crown is a cube containing beet pulp, timothy hay and orchard hay. It is intended for performance and mature horses.
Diet Blend (Transfeeder)
FiberFiber
ForageForage
HealthHealth
Low NSC FeedsLow NSC Feeds
Diet Blend by Transfeeder is low-sugar (7.5%) hay blend in bale form intended for horses requiring controlled sugar intake.
Distinguished (Hallway)
DigestionDigestion
Gut HealthGut Health
NutritionNutrition
SeniorSenior
Distinguished is a textured feed from Hallway feeds for senior horses fortified with Stamm 30, containing 14% protein and 10% fat. Distinguished uses soluble fibre from beet pulp, soy hulls, and chopped hay. It also contains added oil for energy.
Elite Blend (Transfeeder)
DigestionDigestion
FiberFiber
ForageForage
HealthHealth
Elite Blend by Transfeeder is a blend of first cut timothy hay in bale form. It is intended to support overall health in all horse types.
Equi-Librium Balancer (Tribute)
Metabolic SyndromeMetabolic Syndrome
Mineral BalanceMineral Balance
NutritionNutrition
Ration BalancerRation Balancer
Equi-Librium Balancer by Tribute is a pelleted ration balancer that contains 9.5% NSC. It is intended for horses that need low intake of starch and sugar.
Equi-Librium Forage (Tribute)
FiberFiber
Hay StretcherHay Stretcher
NutritionNutrition
SeniorSenior
Equi-Librium Forage by Tribute is a pelleted hay stretcher. It can be used as a partial or complete forage replacement.
Equi-Librium Senior (Tribute)
Complete FeedComplete Feed
FlavorFlavor
Hay StretcherHay Stretcher
SeniorSenior
Equi-Librium Senior by Tribute is a high fiber feed intended for senior horses. It can serve as a partial or complete hay replacement.
Equi-Librium Treats (Tribute)
Competition HorsesCompetition Horses
FiberFiber
Grain FreeGrain Free
SeniorSenior
Equi-Librium Treats by Tribute are a fiber-based treat that is contains 8% NSC. This is not intended as a major source of nutrition.
Equine Hay Extender Pellets (Kalmbach Feeds)
Caloric EnergyCaloric Energy
FiberFiber
Hay StretcherHay Stretcher
NutritionNutrition
Equine Hay Extender by Kalmbach Feeds is a forage replacement pellet formulated with 12% crude protein, 2.5% fat, and 20% crude fiber. Fiber sources include alfalfa meal, soybean hulls, timothy meal, and wheat middlings.
Fiberforce Gastro (Cavalor)
FiberFiber
Gut HealthGut Health
Low NSC FeedsLow NSC Feeds
UlcersUlcers
Fiberforce Gastro by Cavalor is a textured feed intended for horses prone to ulcers or stomach problems.
Fibrenergy (Hallway Feeds)
Competition HorsesCompetition Horses
FiberFiber
Grain FreeGrain Free
Low NSC FeedsLow NSC Feeds
Hallway Fibrenergy is a high-fat, high-fibre textured feed designed for performance horses. Fibrenergy is grain-free and uses beet pulp, soy hulls and oils for energy.
Fire-Fighter Non-GMO (Daily Dose Equine)
Easy KeeperEasy Keeper
HealthHealth
NutrientsNutrients
Weight IssuesWeight Issues
Fire-Fighter Non-GMO by Daily Dose Equine is a low NSC (10%) forage balancer intended for picky eaters needing to lose weight and horses with sensitive stomachs.
Flex n Action (Farrier’s Magic)
ExerciseExercise
JointsJoints
NutrientsNutrients
RecoveryRecovery
Flex n Action is a supplement intended to help maintain healthy joints for aging horses and competition horses.
Freestyle Performance (Daily Dose Equine)
Caloric EnergyCaloric Energy
FatFat
FiberFiber
PerformancePerformance
Freestyle Performance by Daily Dose Equine is a textured feed that is higher in fat and fibre than Sweet ‘n Safe. It is intended for performance horses. It is also known as Trail Mix.
Gentle Blend (Transfeeder)
DigestionDigestion
FiberFiber
ForageForage
HealthHealth
Gentle Blend by Transfeeder is second cut timothy grass in a bale form. It is intended to support overall health in all horse types.
Grand-EQube (Brooks)
FiberFiber
ForageForage
HindgutHindgut
PerformancePerformance
Grand-EQube by Brooks is a timothy alfalfa hay cube intended to provide a source of long-stem forage for horses with limited hay or pasture access. It is suitable for hard keepers, performance horses, seniors and horses in recovery.
Hay Timothy – 11% CP 61% NDF
EnergyEnergy
FiberFiber
ForageForage
ProteinProtein
Timothy hay is derived from curing timothy grass. It is commonly grown in the Northern US and Canada. Medium-quality timothy hay is composed of approximately 11% crude protein and 61% fibre.
Hay Timothy – 14% CP 55% NDF
EnergyEnergy
FiberFiber
ForageForage
ProteinProtein
Timothy is a grass hay frequently fed to horses in North America. High-quality timothy hay with approximately 14% crude protein and 55% NDF is a suitable choice for growing or performance horses.
Hay Timothy – 8% CP 69% NDF
EnergyEnergy
FiberFiber
ForageForage
NutritionNutrition
Timothy is a grass hay commonly grown in the North America. It can be a suitable forage source for most horses. When harvested in later growth stages it will be low in protein and high in fibre.
Haystack Natural – Special Blend Pellets (Haystack Farm & Feed)
Complete FeedComplete Feed
FatFat
FiberFiber
Grain FreeGrain Free
Haystack Naturals Special Blend Pellets is a 12% NSC feed for horses that require a reduced carbohydrate diet. Energy sources include timothy and alfalfa hay, beet pulp, flax seed meal, canola, and rice bran.
Hi Fiber Chopped Forage (Lucerne Farms)
FiberFiber
ForageForage
Gut HealthGut Health
NutrientsNutrients
Hi Fiber Chopped Forage is a dust-free blend of timothy, oat, and alfalfa hay combined with molasses for palatability. It can be used as a hay replacement for a broad range of horses.
Hi Fiber Gold (Lucerne Farms)
Caloric EnergyCaloric Energy
FiberFiber
ForageForage
ProteinProtein
Hi Fiber Gold by Lucerne Farms is a mixture of timothy, oat, and alfalfa hays that has been chopped and dust extracted. This forage is intended for pleasure horses, performance horses, or horses with dental problems.
High Fibre Pellets (Ritchie Smith – Harmony)
FiberFiber
HealthHealth
Low NSC FeedsLow NSC Feeds
NutritionNutrition
High Fibre Pellets from Ritchie Smith's Harmony is a low NSC feed intended for easy keepers or horses who have metabolic issues. This feed is 13% crude protein and 5% fat.
Integrity with Timothy (Integrity Horse Feeds)
Omega 3-6-9Omega 3-6-9
ProteinProtein
Ration BalancerRation Balancer
YeastYeast
Integrity with Timothy is a pelleted feed containing wheat bran, soybean hulls, rice bran and timothy hay. It is intended for horses over 3 years of age and provides moderate calorie density.
Lite & Healthy (HoneyChop)
Easy KeeperEasy Keeper
FiberFiber
ForageForage
NutritionNutrition
Lite & Healthy from HoneyChop is a low-sugar feed intended for horses who are prone to laminitis. This feed contains 31% crude fibre and 4.7% crude protein.
Low Carb/Low Fat Pellet (HayStack)
Caloric EnergyCaloric Energy
HealthHealth
Low NSC FeedsLow NSC Feeds
NutritionNutrition
Low Carb/Low Fat Pellet by Haystack is a feed intended for horses that would benefit from a lower carbohydrate diet. It contains a low NSC level of 8.5% and a high fibre level of 28%.
Maintenance Pellets (Ritchie Smith – Harmony)
GrowthGrowth
HealthHealth
NutritionNutrition
Weight IssuesWeight Issues
Maintenance Pellets from Ritchie Smith's Harmony is a pelleted feed intended for growing horses and horses in moderate work. This feed contains 13% crude protein and 16% crude fibre. Maintenance Pellets are intended for horses who need additional calories.
MalleMash (Simple Solutions)
FiberFiber
HealthHealth
ImmunityImmunity
Skin + HairSkin + Hair
MalleMash from Simple System is a mashed feed. This feed is intended for horses with dry itchy skin, and is intended to be fed soaked.
Mass-No-Sass (Daily Dose Equine)
DigestionDigestion
FiberFiber
ForageForage
Weight IssuesWeight Issues
Mass-No-Sass by Daily Dose Equine is a hay-based feed with high fat and fibre. It is intended to be digested in the foregut, allowing a horse to maintain focus and calm during training.
Meadow Lite (Lakin Milling Company)
FiberFiber
Low NSC FeedsLow NSC Feeds
NutrientsNutrients
PerformancePerformance
Meadow Lite from Lakin Milling Company is a low NSC pelleted feed (9.3%). Meadow Lite Horse Pellets is intended for horses in all levels of work and is formulated with a blend of alfalfa and timothy hay.
MeadowBrix (Simple System Horse Feeds)
FiberFiber
ForageForage
Hay StretcherHay Stretcher
IngredientIngredient
MeadowBrix is a compressed bale of mature timothy grass. It is recommended to be fed whole to mimic grazing and is suitable for horses in all levels of work.
MetaFiber (Dangro)
FiberFiber
Low NSC FeedsLow NSC Feeds
SeniorSenior
Weight IssuesWeight Issues
MetaFiber by Dangro is a low NSC (5.1%) fibre-based pellet intended for senior horses with dental issues, and horses prone to being overweight.
Naturals Alfalfa-Timothy Cubes (Triple Crown)
FiberFiber
ForageForage
Low NSC FeedsLow NSC Feeds
NutritionNutrition
Naturals Alfalfa-Timothy Cubes by Triple Crown is intended for horses of all ages and work levels but it is especially beneficial for mature and performance horses. It is recommended in times of hay shortages or if the hay quality is poor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Timothy hay is a good forage option for many horses because it provides fiber to support normal gut motility, chewing activity, saliva production, and digestive function.

As a grass hay, Timothy is typically lower in protein, calcium, and digestible energy than legume hays such as alfalfa. This makes it a practical choice for many mature horses, easy keepers, and horses that do not need a calorie-dense forage.

The nutrient value of Timothy hay depends on maturity at harvest, growing conditions, curing, storage, and leaf-to-stem ratio. A hay analysis is the most accurate way to determine whether a specific batch is appropriate for your horse’s body condition, workload, and health status.

Timothy hay is used as a source of roughage and fiber in horse diets. Forage should form the foundation of the ration because the horse’s digestive tract is adapted for steady fiber intake throughout the day.

In formulated feeds and forage products, Timothy hay may be used as chopped hay, forage meal, cubes, or pellets. These forms make it easier to provide consistent fiber while keeping the ration lower in starch and sugar than many grain-based feeds.

Timothy hay is often selected when the diet needs more forage-based fiber without the higher protein and calcium levels typically supplied by alfalfa.

Timothy hay and alfalfa serve different roles in the diet. Timothy is a grass hay that is usually lower in protein, calcium, and digestible energy. Alfalfa is a legume hay that is usually richer in these nutrients. However, nutrient values can vary and should be confirmed by a forage analysis.

Timothy hay often fits mature horses at maintenance, easy keepers, and horses in light work. Alfalfa may be more useful for hard keepers, growing horses, lactating mares, and performance horses with higher protein or calorie requirements.

Many feeding programs use both forages together. Timothy hay can provide the main forage base, while a smaller amount of alfalfa can be added when the horse needs more protein, calcium, digestible energy, or palatability.

Timothy hay can be low, moderate, or high in sugar depending on the specific batch and growing conditions. Grass hay type alone does not reliably predict non-structural carbohydrate content.

Sugar and starch levels are influenced by plant maturity, weather, time of cutting, curing conditions, fertilization, and storage. Later-cut Timothy hay is often stemmier and lower in digestible energy, but testing is still needed to confirm the actual sugar and starch content.

For horses with insulin dysregulation, equine metabolic syndrome, PPID, obesity, or laminitis risk, Timothy hay should be selected based on forage analysis. The key values to review are sugar, starch, digestible energy, and mineral balance.

Timothy hay can be appropriate for horses with laminitis risk or metabolic concerns when the analysis shows that sugar, starch, digestible energy, and minerals fit the horse’s needs.

Some Timothy hay works well in controlled-carbohydrate diets, while other batches may provide too much sugar or digestible energy for horses that require stricter management. This variation is why hay testing is especially important for metabolic horses.

For these horses, forage should be chosen based on hay analysis, body condition, insulin status, workload, pasture access, and the rest of the feeding program. Mature grass hay is often useful, but the specific nutrient profile matters more than the hay name.

Most horses should receive at least 1.5% of body weight per day in forage dry matter. Many horses do best closer to 2% of body weight, depending on workload, body condition, turnout, and weight goals.

For a 500 kg (1,100 lb) horse, this equals approximately 7.5–10 kg (16.5–22 lb) of forage dry matter per day. Because hay contains some moisture, the amount fed as-is is usually slightly higher than the dry matter amount.

Easy keepers may need controlled intake if free-choice hay leads to weight gain. Hard keepers, lactating mares, growing horses, and horses in heavier work may need higher-quality forage, more total forage, or additional calorie sources.

Timothy hay can support weight gain when the horse eats enough of it and the hay provides adequate digestible energy. Softer, leafier Timothy hay is generally more digestible and more calorie-dense than late-cut, stemmy hay.

For hard keepers, Timothy hay may not provide enough calories on its own. These horses may need higher-quality forage, alfalfa, beet pulp, oil, a fortified feed, or amino acid support depending on the reason they are underweight.

If a horse is losing weight despite good forage access, the feeding program should be reviewed along with dental function, parasite control, workload, digestive health, and underlying medical concerns.

Timothy hay is often a useful forage for overweight horses because it is usually less calorie-dense than alfalfa or very leafy early-cut grass hay.

However, its effect on body condition depends on how much the horse eats and how digestible the hay is. A horse can still gain weight on Timothy hay if it is highly digestible, fed free-choice, or combined with unnecessary concentrates or calorie-dense supplements.

For overweight horses, the best approach is to test the hay, control intake when needed, use slow feeders where appropriate, and balance vitamins and minerals without adding unnecessary starch, sugar, or calories.

Timothy hay can provide enough protein for some mature horses at maintenance, but it may not meet requirements for horses with higher protein needs.

Growing horses, lactating mares, senior horses losing topline, and horses in harder work often need more protein or more specific amino acid support than Timothy hay provides on its own. Lysine, methionine, and threonine are the amino acids most often evaluated when assessing protein quality in equine diets.

Protein adequacy depends on the hay’s crude protein level, total forage intake, protein digestibility, and amino acid profile. A hay analysis helps determine whether the ration needs additional protein or targeted amino acid supplementation.

Timothy hay can be suitable for senior horses that can still chew long-stem forage effectively. For older horses, dental function is often more important than age when deciding whether long-stem hay is appropriate.

Senior horses with worn, missing, or painful teeth may drop partially chewed hay, take longer to finish meals, or lose weight even when hay is available. These horses may maintain forage intake more easily with chopped Timothy hay, soaked Timothy cubes, or soaked Timothy pellets.

Processed forage can help support fiber intake when chewing becomes difficult, but the rest of the ration still needs to supply adequate calories, protein quality, vitamin E, and minerals based on the horse’s body condition and workload.

Timothy hay pellets are a useful forage-based fiber source for horses. They are made by grinding dried Timothy hay into a uniform meal and compressing it into pellets.

This format is convenient, consistent, and easy to store. Timothy pellets are commonly used for senior horses, horses with dental issues, horses that waste long-stem hay, or situations where forage quality is difficult to manage.

Because the hay is ground before pelleting, pellets are eaten faster and require less chewing than long-stem hay. They can contribute fiber to the diet, but they do not provide the same long-stem structure, chewing time, or foraging behaviour as hay.

Timothy pellets can replace part of the hay ration and may be used as a primary forage source for horses that cannot chew long-stem hay adequately.

They are most useful for senior horses, horses with dental problems, horses that waste hay, or horses that need a more controlled forage source. They can also help when hay quality is inconsistent, storage space is limited, or long-stem forage is not practical.

When pellets replace a large portion of the forage ration, feeding management becomes more important because pellets are consumed more quickly than hay. Horses may need smaller, more frequent meals, soaked pellets, slow-feeding strategies, and close monitoring of body condition, manure quality, water intake, and total forage intake.

Timothy hay pellets do not need to be soaked for every horse, but soaking is recommended for horses that eat quickly, have dental issues, have a history of choke, or need a softer feed texture.

Soaking allows the pellets to expand and soften before feeding. This makes them easier to chew and swallow, and it may improve acceptance for horses that prefer a mash.

Use enough water for the pellets to fully soften and break apart before feeding. Soaked pellets should be fed fresh, especially in warm weather, and leftovers should be discarded if they become sour, fermented, frozen, or contaminated.

The main difference between Timothy hay, pellets, and cubes is particle size and chewing time. Timothy hay is long-stem forage and provides the most chewing time, which helps support normal foraging behaviour and saliva production.

Timothy pellets are made from finely ground hay compressed into small pellets. They are convenient, consistent, and easy to feed, but they are consumed more quickly than long-stem hay.

Timothy cubes are coarser than pellets and usually require more chewing. They can be useful for horses that need processed forage but benefit from a larger particle size than pellets provide.

First-cut and second-cut Timothy hay can both be appropriate for horses. The better choice depends on body condition, chewing ability, workload, and the nutrient profile of the specific hay.

First-cut Timothy hay is often more mature, stemmier, and lower in protein and calories. This can make it useful for easy keepers or horses that need more chewing time without excess digestible energy.

Second-cut Timothy hay is often softer, leafier, and more nutrient-dense. This may be useful for horses that need better palatability, easier chewing, or additional calories. Cutting gives a general indication of maturity, but hay analysis provides a more accurate comparison of protein, sugar, starch, digestible energy, fiber, and minerals.

Timothy hay and orchard grass are both cool-season grass hays commonly used in horse diets. Either forage can be appropriate depending on the horse and the nutrient profile of the hay.

Timothy hay is often coarser depending on maturity, while orchard grass is often softer and more palatable. However, nutrient content can vary widely in both forages based on cutting, maturity, weather, and harvest conditions.

When comparing Timothy hay and orchard grass, forage analysis is more useful than species alone. The best option is the hay that matches the horse’s needs for sugar, starch, protein, digestible energy, fiber, and minerals.

Timothy hay is usually lower in calcium than alfalfa. This can be useful for horses that do not need a high-calcium forage, but total calcium intake still needs to be evaluated across the full ration.

Horses need more calcium than phosphorus in the total diet. Whether Timothy hay supplies enough calcium depends on the hay analysis, the amount of forage consumed, and any other feeds or supplements included in the ration.

Calcium should be assessed as part of the complete mineral program rather than in isolation. Phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, copper, zinc, selenium, iodine, and vitamin E are also commonly reviewed when balancing a forage-based diet.

Timothy hay can support stomach health by encouraging chewing and saliva production. Saliva helps buffer stomach acid during forage intake, which is one reason frequent forage access is important for horses.

Alfalfa typically provides more calcium and protein than Timothy hay and may offer additional buffering support when used strategically in the diet. Timothy hay can still be part of a gastric-supportive feeding program when it helps maintain consistent forage intake and reduces long periods without feed.

Horses with suspected gastric ulcers should be evaluated by a veterinarian. Forage management can support stomach health, but it does not replace diagnosis or treatment when ulcers are present.

Most horses eating Timothy hay still need a vitamin and mineral supplement or ration balancer. Hay provides fiber and some nutrients, but it rarely supplies every required vitamin and mineral in the correct amounts.

Common gaps in forage-based diets include copper, zinc, selenium, iodine, sodium, and vitamin E. These gaps depend on region, soil, forage species, maturity, harvest conditions, and storage.

The most accurate approach is to test the hay and balance the ration around it. This helps correct nutrient deficiencies without adding unnecessary calories, starch, or sugar.

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