Choosing the right forage is one of the most important decisions you can make for your horse's health.
While concentrates and supplements often receive the most attention, forage should make up the majority of every horse's diet. The type of haylage you feed can influence everything from weight management and digestive health to energy levels and overall condition.
Two of the most popular options are Timothy Haylage and Rye Grass Haylage.
Although they may look similar, they provide very different nutritional profiles and are suited to different types of horses. Understanding those differences will help you choose the right forage throughout the year.
Quick Guide: Which Haylage Should You Choose?
| If your horse is... | Consider... |
|---|---|
| A good doer | Timothy Haylage |
| A native pony or cob | Timothy Haylage |
| In light work | Timothy Haylage |
| A veteran needing steady fibre | Timothy Haylage |
| A competition horse | Rye Grass Haylage |
| In regular or harder work | Rye Grass Haylage |
| Struggling to maintain condition | Rye Grass Haylage |
| Young and still developing | Rye Grass Haylage |
What's The Difference?
The biggest difference comes down to the type of grass used to produce the haylage.
Timothy Haylage is produced from Timothy grass, a traditional meadow grass known for its high fibre content and naturally lower energy levels.
Rye Grass Haylage is produced from perennial rye grass, which generally offers higher energy, higher digestibility and greater calorie content.
Neither is better than the other—they simply suit different horses.
| Timothy Haylage | Rye Grass Haylage |
|---|---|
| Lower energy | Higher energy |
| High fibre | Higher calorie content |
| Excellent for good doers | Ideal for horses needing condition |
| Supports weight management | Supports performance and workload |
| Steadier energy release | Higher nutritional value |
When Timothy Haylage Is The Better Choice
Timothy Haylage has become increasingly popular because it provides quality forage without excessive calories.
If your horse maintains weight easily or gains condition quickly, Timothy is often an excellent choice.
Many owners choose Timothy Haylage for:
- Native breeds
- Cobs
- Ponies
- Good doers
- Leisure horses
- Veteran horses requiring high fibre diets
Its naturally fibrous structure encourages longer chewing times, which supports digestive health while helping reduce boredom in the stable.
Owners looking to manage weight often combine quality forage with appropriate horse feed supplements where recommended.
When Rye Grass Haylage Makes More Sense
Rye Grass Haylage is typically chosen when horses have higher nutritional requirements.
Competition horses, eventers, racehorses and horses in regular work all require more energy than leisure horses.
Because Rye Grass Haylage naturally contains more digestible energy, it can help support:
- Maintaining body condition
- Muscle development
- Recovery after work
- Performance diets
- Young growing horses
Many owners also combine Rye Grass Haylage with carefully selected horse feed and horse treats to create a balanced feeding routine.
Should You Change Haylage During The Year?
The answer depends on your horse.
Many owners feed the same forage throughout the year, while others adjust according to workload, condition and grazing availability.
For example, a horse competing regularly during summer may benefit from Rye Grass Haylage before returning to Timothy Haylage during quieter winter months.
Equally, horses that gain weight easily may remain on Timothy Haylage throughout the year while simply adjusting quantities depending on grass availability.
Regularly monitoring body condition is one of the best ways to determine whether your current feeding programme remains appropriate.
Good Feeding Starts With Good Management
No matter which haylage you choose, how it is stored and fed is equally important.
Always ensure opened bales are used within the manufacturer's recommended timeframe and stored somewhere clean and dry.
Using quality haynets and hay bags and suitable feeding equipment for horses helps minimise waste while keeping forage cleaner and easier to manage.
How To Introduce A New Haylage
If you're changing from one type of haylage to another, avoid making sudden changes. Horses have sensitive digestive systems, and any alterations to their forage should be introduced gradually over seven to ten days.
Start by mixing a small amount of the new haylage with the existing forage before slowly increasing the proportion each day. This allows the digestive system time to adjust and helps reduce the risk of digestive upset.
While changing forage, it's also worth reviewing your horse feed supplements and ensuring your horse always has access to clean water using suitable horse feeding equipment.
Common Haylage Feeding Mistakes
Choosing the right haylage is only part of the picture. These are some of the most common mistakes horse owners make:
- Feeding a higher energy forage than their horse actually requires.
- Changing forage too quickly.
- Leaving opened bales exposed to air for too long.
- Not weighing forage accurately.
- Ignoring changes in body condition throughout the year.
Many owners also overlook the importance of quality feed buckets, scoops and feeding equipment, which help make feeding more accurate and reduce waste.
Supporting Your Horse Beyond Haylage
Good forage forms the foundation of every horse's diet, but many horses also benefit from additional nutritional support depending on their workload, age and condition.
If your horse is in regular work, browse our range of horse feed and horse feed supplements to help maintain health, performance and recovery.
Rewarding your horse after training or competitions? Our range of horse treats makes the perfect addition to any tack room.
Which Haylage Should You Choose?
There isn't one haylage that's right for every horse.
If your horse is a native breed, cob, good doer or leisure horse that maintains weight easily, Timothy Haylage is often the better option.
If your horse is in regular work, struggles to maintain weight or requires more energy to perform, Rye Grass Haylage may be more suitable.
Whichever forage you choose, using quality haynets and hay bags, appropriate feeding equipment and supporting nutrition with suitable horse feed can help keep your horse healthy throughout the year.
Find The Right Haylage For Your Horse
Whether you're feeding a competition horse, family pony or retired veteran, choosing the right forage is one of the best investments you can make in your horse's long-term health.
Explore our range of Country Haylage, alongside carefully selected horse feed, supplements, feeding equipment and horse treats to build a feeding routine that suits your horse.
