New Horse Owner? Here's Your Hay Buying Checklist
It’s exciting, and a little overwhelming, bringing your first horse home. Somewhere between naming a horse and finding a farrier, you’re going to hit one of the most important (and most confusing) parts of horse care: buying hay.
Hay is not just “grass in a bale.” The type, quality and freshness of the hay you buy directly influences your horse’s health, digestion and energy. Here is a simple checklist for buying with confidence.
Know the type of hay your horse needs.
Not all hay is created equal and different horses have different needs:
Grass hay (Timothy or Orchard) – Good general hay for most adult horses. Lower in calories and protein.
Alfalfa hay – This is higher in protein and calcium and is good for young, pregnant, nursing or hardworking horses, but is too rich for some easy goalkeepers.
Mixed hay — A blend of legume and grass hay, often used to balance nutrition and cost.
Checklist hint: Before you buy, ask your vet or large-animal nutritionist what is appropriate for your horse’s age, workload and health.
Check the color and smell
Good hay should look and smell appealing, not suspicious.
Find a color that is bright green to gold. It should smell fresh, sweet and a bit grassy.
Avoid dull brown, gray or yellowed throughout hay.
Avoid anything that smells musty, sour or moldy.
Check for mold, dust and debris
This is one of the most important safety checks you can perform.
Break a few open and look inside, not just on the outside.
Look for white, gray or black spotting (mold).
Shake it up! Too much dust is a warning sign of respiratory problems.
Look for weeds, trash or foreign material baled in with the hay.
Moldy or dusty hay can cause colic, respiratory disease and other serious health problems, so this step is non-negotiable.
Feel the Texture
Run your hand over a piece of hay.
Good maturity indicated by soft pliable stems for hay cutting Stiff, coarse or too stemmy hay is less palatable, lower in nutrition and more mature.
Leaves should be on the stems still – lots of loose, crumbly leaves at the bottom of the bale can mean that the hay is over-dried or has been handled roughly.
Check Bale Density and Weight
Bales should be firm and consistent, not loose and falling apart.
Lift a bale – it should be heavy enough for its size.
When separated, flakes should stay together.
Inconsistent bale weight can be an indicator of inconsistent curing or storage.
Ask About the Cutting
Hay is usually cut several times in the growing season, and the quality of the hay is affected by this:
First cut – Coarser with more seed heads but can still be good quality.
Second cutting — Generally softer, leafier, and more nutritious.
Third Cutting – Very soft and leafy, sometimes richer than needed for some horses.
Ask your supplier what cut you are buying so you know what you are getting.
Buy From a Trusted, Knowledgeable Supplier
“New horse owners especially benefit from working with a supplier who can answer questions, not just sell bales.
- Ask about hay storage (moisture and mold protection are important).
- Ask when it was picked.
- Ask if they test for nutritional content (good for horses with special needs)
Planning for Proper Storage
Buying great hay is only half the job, storing it correctly keeps it that way.
- Store hay on pallets off the ground to prevent moisture wicking.
- Store in a dry, well-ventilated place out of direct rain.
- Don’t pile it against moist walls.
- First in first out (use old hay first).
Buy the Right Amount
Horses consume about 1.5–2% of their body weight in hay each day, but this can vary according to workload, metabolism and access to pasture. The new owner would be wise to:
- Begin with a lesser amount while you learn your horse’s eating habits.
- Reorder before you run out rather than waiting for the last bale.
- Ask your supplier about their regular restocking schedule so your horse doesn’t have to get used to a new hay too often.
Good hay is the basis of good horse health. A few extra minutes spent inspecting, asking questions, and buying from a reputable supplier will save you money, stress, and vet bills in the long run.
If you are a new horse owner and would like some guidance on selecting and storing the right hay for your horse, our team is always happy to help you get started.
