Hay 101: What Every Canadian Horse Owner Needs to Know

Hay is the cornerstone of most horses' diets, yet it's one of the most misunderstood aspects of horse care. Getting it right can mean the difference between a thriving horse and one dealing with digestive issues, weight problems, or nutritional deficiencies.

Types of Hay Common in Canada

Timothy Grass

The most widely available hay in Canada. Timothy is palatable, relatively low in sugar and starch, and suitable for most horses. It's a good baseline choice.

Orchard Grass

Higher in protein and energy than timothy, orchard grass is great for performance horses or horses needing to gain weight. Can be too rich for easy keepers.

Alfalfa

A legume hay, alfalfa is protein-dense and calorie-rich. Best used in small amounts mixed with grass hay, or for hard-working horses and lactating mares.

Clover

Often found mixed into other hay. High sugar content, so monitor horses prone to laminitis carefully.

What to Look For When Buying

• Colour: Bright green indicates good nutrient retention
• Smell: Should smell fresh and slightly sweet, not musty
• Texture: Soft and leafy, not stemmy or coarse
• No mould: Check inside bales, because mould can cause colic or respiratory issues
• Low dust: Dusty hay irritates airways, especially in stabled horses

Getting a Hay Analysis

If you're buying in large quantities, a hay analysis from a lab (around $30 to $50 per sample) tells you exactly what nutrition your hay provides. This is especially useful if your horse has metabolic issues.

Where to Find Quality Hay in Canada

Horse Hub lists hay suppliers coast to coast, plus feed and nutrition businesses for everything that goes in the bucket alongside it.

Browsing by province is usually faster: British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, Manitoba.

Buying hay for a barn you board at? Our guide to what to ask a boarding facility covers who is responsible for feed and how to check hay quality on a barn tour.

Feed smarter, not harder.