How’s your hay supply?  If you are looking for ways to extend your hay, remember that horses need roughage and it is best to extend the good hay you have with other fiber sources. A slow transition to other forages is important rather than switching when you run out. Common alternatives to regular baled hay along with pros and cons are listed below.

Hay cubes. Pro: Little waste, easily handled and transported, good baled hay extender or replacement. Think of them as very small hay bales. Con: Can be expensive.

Older hay. Pro: Can be quite healthy for horses. Con: Vitamins break down with time and minerals can leach out if bales get wet. You may want to test for nutrient levels to balance the hay with supplements.

Beet pulp. Pro: Good source of energy and protein, you can feed 5 to10 pounds a day. Con: Beet pulp should be soaked before feeding large amounts to prevent swelling in the horse’s digestive system. Need to supplement vitamins and minerals, particularly calcium.

Complete feeds. Pro: Nutrients are balanced, good hay extender. Con: Not enough total fiber. It needs to be divided up into small meals because feeding large amounts can increase chances of colic and choking.

Miscellaneous. Occasionally you hear of people feeding straw or corn stalks to horses. These are not recommended because they have little nutritional value. Haylage has been fed to horses, but the potential for mold and botulism in haylage makes it a risky choice for the wellbeing of your horse.