Table 1: Typical nutrient content of hays fed to horses (as fed basis).

Hay Variety

Digestible Energy (Mcal/lb)

Total Digestible Nutrients (%)

Crude Protein (%)

Calcium (%)

Phosphorus (%)

Alfalfa

0.8 to 1.1

48 to 55

15 to 20

0.9 to 1.5

0.2 to 0.35

Red Clover

0.8 to 1.1

46 to 52

13 to 16

0.8 to 1.5

0.2 to 0.35

Orchardgrass

0.7 to 1.0

42 to 50

7 to 11

0.3 to 0.5

0.2 to 0.35

Timothy

0.7 to 1.0

42 to 50

7 to 11

0.3 to 0.5

0.2 to 0.35

Bermudagrass

0.7 to 1.0

42 to 50

6 to 11

0.25 to 0.4

0.15 to 0.3

Tall Fescue

0.6 to 0.9

40 to 48

5 to 9

0.3 to 0.5

0.2 to 0.35

Sources: National Research Council, 1989; UK Equine Nutrition Program, 1999.

Table 2: Effect of stage of maturity and hay variety on the amount of hay and grain required by horses at maintenance and lactation.

Type of Hay

Amount of hay and grain required by an 1100 lb horse at maintenance per day

Amount of hay and grain required by an 1100 lb mare in lactation per day

Pre-Bloom Alfalfa

14 to 16 lb of hay, no grain

18 to 20 lb of hay and 6 to 8 lb of grain

Late Bloom Alfalfa

22 to 24 lb of hay, no grain

24 to 28 lb of hay and 6 to 8 lb of grain; OR 18 to 20 lb of hay and 10 to 12 lb of grain

Early Maturity Timothy Hay

18 to 20 lb of hay, no grain

22 to 26 lb of hay and 8 to 10 lb of grain

Late Maturity Timothy Hay

16 to 22 lb of hay, 0 to 4 lb of grain

18 to 20 lb of hay and 12 to 14 lb of grain

Mid-Maturity Alfalfa-Grass Hay Mix

16 to 20 lb of hay, no grain

22 to 24 lb of hay, 6 to 10 lb of grain

 One indication of the relative maturity of timothy is the softness or brittleness of the seedhead. If the seedhead crumbles down to the stem easily when rubbed, then it is very mature. If the seedhead is soft and does not crumble, then it is less mature.