Horse glossary
Hay
Dried grass used as food for horses.
In Spanish: Heno
What it means
Hay is grass or legumes, such as timothy or alfalfa, that has been cut, dried, and baled for horses to eat when fresh pasture isn't available. It is the main part of most horses' diets. Good hay looks green or light tan, smells sweet, and feels soft rather than brittle.
Why it matters
Horses evolved to nibble forage for many hours a day, and a steady supply of hay keeps their digestive system working and their minds calmer. Moldy or dusty hay can cause breathing problems and colic.
Example
Most horses eat hay every day.
Try this
Before a flake of hay goes to a horse, open it up and look and smell. If you see white or gray patches, feel damp clumps, or smell something musty, set it aside and show an adult.
Common mistake
Some people think grain is the most important food and hay is just filler. For most horses it's the other way around: forage like hay or pasture should make up most of what they eat.
Topics
Where this word comes up
In the news
Recent Horse Academy stories on this topic.
- Hay Shortage 2026: Why Horse Hay Is So Expensive and What to FeedHorse Care · Updated
- How Much Hay Does a Horse Eat a Day? Flakes, Free Choice and AlfalfaHorse Care · Updated
- Is Johnson Grass Safe for Horses? Why Sorghum Hay Is a Risky ShortcutHealth & Alerts · Updated
- Fall Laminitis in Horses: Why Autumn Grass Can Founder Your HorseHealth & Alerts · Updated