8/ JULY 2025 THE RIDER


Food for Thought: Hay Transitions


Whether they are transitioning to pasture, from pasture back to hay as that pasture is grazed, or from their current hay to the newly harvested batch – cau- tion must be exercised. This article will explore


An Equine Nutrition Series by Madeline Boast, MSc. Equine Nutrition


After water, fibre is the


most important component of the equine diet. When insuffi- cient fibre is fed, it has been shown to lead to hindgut aci- dosis, gastric ulcers and stereo- typic


behaviours (e.g.,


cribbing). Most owners understand


that it is critical for horses to have ample access to forage to meet their fibre requirement, whether it is hay, or pasture. However, it is unfortunately common that the change be-


tween forage types is poorly managed leading to gastroin- testinal (GI) health problems that often could have been pre- vented. The Nutrient Require-


ments of Horses (2007), states that all feed changes should be made gradually which includes concentrates, hay, pasture, sup- plements and preserved for- ages


(e.g., hay cubes).


Understanding how to safely transition between forage types is an important aspect of nutri- tional management. At this time of year,


horses frequently experience numerous forage changes.


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why forage transitions matter, how to manage them effec- tively, and tips to minimize your horse’s risk of GI upset.


Why Gradual Transitions Matter When forages are con-


sumed, they are digested via microbial fermentation in the hindgut of the horse. The hindgut is home to billions of microorganisms that provide the horse the ability to effec- tively digest and utilize forages as the primary component of their diet. When there is a change in


the forage provided to the horse, it will alter the microbial population in the hindgut. This turnover can take several weeks as the microbial popula- tion adjusts and adapts to the differing diet. When abrupt changes are made, it shocks the microbial population, and many of the beneficial mi- croorganisms die. Research has suggested that abrupt changes in the type of forage fed is a primary contributor to increased colic risk. By mak- ing the changes gradually, you are allowing the microbial population time to adapt to the new diet.


Nutritional Content of Hay I often find that this aspect


of equine nutrition is over- looked when it comes to hay. Concentrate and pasture tran- sitions are almost always tran- sitioned slowly, but with hay batches appearing similar, they


are frequently changed


abruptly. It is critical to remember


that the nutritional content of hay will differ, even hay that has been cut from the same field. Variables


such as


weather, soil nutrient content, plant species, and harvesting conditions are just a few of the many factors that influence the nutritional content of forage. For example, analysis of


the 2024 Balanced Bay hay data revealed that the crude protein content of hay har- vested in Ontario ranged from as low as 3.6% to over 20% on a dry matter basis. I regularly test hay for several large facil- ities, and even when the hay is the same type (e.g., first cut), and sourced from the same farmer, its nutritional profile often varies significantly be- tween batches. Hay that looks similar, or comes from the same supplier, likely differs in nutritional value, and should never be switched abruptly.


Transitioning Timelines Ideally, when a new batch


of hay comes in, we want to mix it with the current hay and slowly increase the proportion over the course of a couple of weeks. Using a slow feeder or hay nets can be beneficial dur- ing these transitions to reduce the horse’s ability to separate the two types of hay. A recommended schedule is: • Day 1-7: 25% new hay,


75% old hay • Day 8-14: 50% new hay,


50% old hay • Day 15-21: 75% new


hay, 25% old hay • Day 22+: 100% new hay


When Ideal Isn’t Possible Now, this recommended


transition period may not al-


ways be feasible. It is impor- tant to understand the ideal, and work within the restric- tions of your situation to do the best for your horse. For exam- ple, when I recently moved my horses, I was unable to take a full 2-3 weeks of their current hay with me. So, to avoid GI upset, and lessen the shock on their GI tracts, I made sure to take 5-6 days worth of their current hay and transition them over the course of 10 days. Another strategy that I


find to be effective is to choose a preserved fibre source that can easily be brought with your horse and fed daily as a consistent source of the same type of fibre. This tactic is ben- eficial as it provides fibre con- sistency during travel, reduces the variability in nutrient in- take when forage is changing and promotes hydration when soaked. There are a variety of op-


tions when adding a preserved fibre source to your horse’s diet. Beet pulp, hay cubes, hay pellets, or a complete feed are all options. The right match for your horse will depend on their individual nutritional require- ments.


Take Home Message Let this article be your re-


minder to take a step back and critically consider the impact that hay changes can have on your horses GI tract. Whether you’re travelling to a show and your horse will be on different hay while housed there, transi- tioning from 2024 to 2025 hay, or putting your horse back on hay once their pasture is eaten down, take the additional week to exercise caution with a slow transition to reduce the health risks. If you have any questions


on how to optimally manage forage transitions, please email balancedbaynutrition@gmail.c om


By: Madeline Boast, MSc, PAS


References: Cavallini, D., Penazzi, L., Valle, E., Raspa, F., Bergero, D., Formigoni, A., & Fusaro, I. (2022). When changing the hay makes a difference: A se- ries of case reports. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, 113, 103940. Cohen, N. D., Gibbs, P. G., & Woods, A. M. (1999). Dietary and other management factors associated with colic in horses. Journal of the American Vet- erinary Medical Association, 215(1), 53-60. Ermers, C., McGilchrist, N., Fenner, K., Wilson, B., & Mc- Greevy, P. (2023). The fibre re- quirements of horses and the consequences and causes of failure to meet them. Animals, 13(8), 1414.


By: Madeline Boast, MSc, PAS


About the author: Made-


line Boast completed her mas- ter’s in Equine Nutrition at the University of Guelph and started an independent nutri- tion company known as Bal- anced Bay. She has worked with a variety of equids – from miniature ponies to competing thoroughbreds. Through Bal- anced Bay she designs cus- tomized balanced nutrition plans that prioritize equine well-being. This includes diets for optimal performance as well as solving complex nutri- tional issues and everything in between. For additional infor- mation see www.balanced- bay.ca


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