Are hay cubes good for horses?

Alfalfa cubes can be used effectively as the sole source of roughage for all classes of horses. Because of the high nutrient values for energy, protein, calcium, and vitamins, alfalfa cubes are very effective in feeding programs for broodmares and young growing horses.

Should I feed my horse hay cubes?

As your horse is recovering from a colic episode, the most important thing is to provide high-quality forage as grass pasture, hay, cubes, or a combination of these. Soaking the cubes can increase water consumption that may help prevent dehydration and act as a carrier for powdered supplements and medications.

Are cubes better than hay?

Because of how they're processed and stored, cubes typically have less dust and lower propensity to mold. Transporting cubes is much easier than loading flakes of hay as well. As much as 20% of conventional baled hay may be wasted when fed1, while cubes have little waste.

How many hay cubes should I feed my horse?

We have used hay cubes as the sole source of fiber in several research studies at Rutgers with good results, feeding up to 12 to 15 lbs of cubes per horse per day.

Do hay cubes need to be soaked?

Hay cubes can be fed wet or dry. When first introduced it may be advisable to wet the cubes as the horse will have easier time biting off small chunks to chew at one time. As a horse becomes accustomed to eating them, they can typically be fed dry.

Can horses live without hay?

Horses can adapt to balanced rations that do not contain hay or pasture, but the absolute minimum of fiber necessary has not been established. However, low fiber/high concentrate rations have been documented to increase the risk of colic, gastric ulcers, and wood chewing behavior of horses.

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Why would a horse stop eating hay?

“Horses might stop eating if they are in pain, stressed, or nervous. If something has changed in their circumstances or environment, they may not be interested in eating. This might happen if they lose a stablemate, have moved to a new location and are not happy in their new environment, or don’t like their stablemate.

Can horses eat kale?

Vegetables in the brassica family—including kale, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, and cauliflower—should not be fed. Potatoes, onions, and avocado are also toxic to your horse.

Can horses eat chopped hay?

Chopped hay can be fed in a bucket, corner feeder or outside in a feed trough — easier than feeding baled hay. There’s little to no waste, it’s tasty and easily chewed, and it’s available during times of drought and hay scarcity.

Are grass nuts good for horses?

Support and nurture a healthy hindgut microbial community, which is key to equine health. Naturally occurring sugars in grass nuts mean they are naturally sweet. This makes them highly palatable – great for fussy feeders. The fibre in grass nuts supplies a source of slow-release energy which helps provide stamina.

What can you feed horses instead of hay?

Six Hay Alternatives for Horses
  • Bagged chopped forage. It can replace all of your horse’s hay, if necessary.
  • Hay cubes. Chopped cubed hay (usually alfalfa or timothy or a combination) is another 100-percent replacement. …
  • Hay pellets. …
  • “Complete” feed. …
  • Beet pulp. …
  • Soybean hulls.
Six Hay Alternatives for Horses
  • Bagged chopped forage. It can replace all of your horse’s hay, if necessary.
  • Hay cubes. Chopped cubed hay (usually alfalfa or timothy or a combination) is another 100-percent replacement. …
  • Hay pellets. …
  • “Complete” feed. …
  • Beet pulp. …
  • Soybean hulls.

What can horses not eat?

8 Foods You Should Never Feed to Your Horse
  • Chocolate. Just like dogs, horses are sensitive to the chemical theobromine which is found in the cocoa which is used to make chocolate. …
  • Persimmons. …
  • Avocado. …
  • Lawn Clippings. …
  • Fruit with Pips and Stones. …
  • Bread. …
  • Potatoes and Other Nightshades. …
  • Yogurt and Other Dairy Products.
8 Foods You Should Never Feed to Your Horse
  • Chocolate. Just like dogs, horses are sensitive to the chemical theobromine which is found in the cocoa which is used to make chocolate. …
  • Persimmons. …
  • Avocado. …
  • Lawn Clippings. …
  • Fruit with Pips and Stones. …
  • Bread. …
  • Potatoes and Other Nightshades. …
  • Yogurt and Other Dairy Products.

Why do horses eat all day?

Why Should Horses Eat Constantly? Horses should eat constantly because their GI tract is designed to always be digesting small amounts of forage as they graze nearly around the clock. It just makes sense that since that’s the way it works, that’s how we need to feed for them to be most healthy.

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Why do horses put their head against the wall?

Horses showing true head pressing will usually show other signs of brain disease such as depression, loss of appetite, wobbliness, apparent blindness, among others. Horses that are dying of other causes, such as intestinal rupture, for instance, may also engage in this behavior.

Can horses eat popcorn?

Is Popcorn a Good Treat for Horses? Popcorn is a good treat for horses, as long as the horse’s health won’t be negatively affected by extra starch in its diet. Popcorn is safe for most horses, but for some, health concerns like insulin-resistance and dental problems make popcorn a very risky choice.

Can horses eat marshmallows?

Horses can safely eat sweet marshmallows in moderation. Just to be clear, sweet marshmallows and marshmallow roots are healthy for horses while the marsh mallow plant is toxic for them.

What kind of hay do older horses need?

A reduction in fiber fermentation means that older horses receive less nutrients from forage resulting in higher quality forages being required. Alfalfa hay and good quality grass hays are preferable to stemmy and mature hays that have tougher fiber to ferment.

Are hay pellets good for rabbits?

Caring for Your Rabbit – Food

Your bunny has simple dietary requirements: unlimited timothy hay, a small portion of timothy pellets each day, and some green vegetables each day. Of course, unlimited, fresh water in a bowl should always be provided. This diet is simple but yet very healthy for your bunny.

What can I feed my horse instead of hay?

Six Hay Alternatives for Horses
  • Bagged chopped forage. It can replace all of your horse’s hay, if necessary.
  • Hay cubes. Chopped cubed hay (usually alfalfa or timothy or a combination) is another 100-percent replacement. …
  • Hay pellets. …
  • “Complete” feed. …
  • Beet pulp. …
  • Soybean hulls.
Six Hay Alternatives for Horses
  • Bagged chopped forage. It can replace all of your horse’s hay, if necessary.
  • Hay cubes. Chopped cubed hay (usually alfalfa or timothy or a combination) is another 100-percent replacement. …
  • Hay pellets. …
  • “Complete” feed. …
  • Beet pulp. …
  • Soybean hulls.

Is straw OK for horses to eat?

Do horses eat straw? Although straw is often not the most palatable source of fibre, most horses will eat it, particularly if they are on a restricted diet. It can easily be mixed in with hay and soaked or steamed if necessary.

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Is chocolate toxic to horses?

Chocolate: Also toxic to cats and dogs, the theobromine in chocolate can cause severe colic, seizures, metabolic derangements and internal bleeding in horses.

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