Is Hay For Horses An Idiom?

The English idiomatic phrase “hay is for horses” is a specific idiom with a particular meaning and use; at its core, the phrase is really a remonstration for someone using the word “hey” as a verbal opener, to address someone or start a sentence.

What does hay for horses mean?

(sarcastic) Said as a retort to someone saying hey (any sense of the interjection), used to indicate that the speaker disapproves of the usage of the word “hey”, perhaps due to a dislike of informal speech. quotations ▼

What is the full saying hay is for horses?

Hay is for horses, better for cows, pigs don’t eat it ’cause they don’t know how.

Where did the saying hay is for horses come from?

That old ‘hey is for horses’ line is pretty old: Jonathan Swift used it in A complete collection of genteel and ingenious conversation from 1738.

What is the saying hay is for horses grass is cheaper?

“Hay’s for horses, straw is cheaper, grass is free, you live on a farm and you get all three!”

Do horses actually eat hay?

In simple terms, horses eat grass and hay or haylage, but salt, concentrates and fruits or vegetables can also enhance their diets, depending on the required work regime and available feed.

What is best hay for horses?

Alfalfa, white clover, red clover and birdsfoot trefoil are common types of legumes, with alfalfa being the most popular choice. Benefits: Legumes are higher in protein and calcium than grass hay, and may also provide more energy and a higher level of total digestible nutrients, such as vitamin A.

What is the meaning of the idiom make hay?

phrase. If you say that someone is making hay or is making hay while the sun shines, you mean that they are taking advantage of a situation that is favourable to them while they have the chance to. We knew that war was coming, and were determined to make hay while we could.

What is the idiomatic expression of makes hay?

When conditions are perfect to get something done, we can say, “It’s a good idea to make hay while the sun shines.” In other words, you are taking advantage of a good situation or of good conditions. You are making the most of your opportunities. These all mean “making hay while the sun shines.”

What is a hay hay slang?

Slang. a small sum of money: Twenty dollars an hour for doing very little certainly ain’t hay. money: A thousand dollars for a day’s work is a lot of hay!

What do cowboys say to stop a horse?

It’s whoa. This interjection means “stop.” You might use it as a command to stop a galloping horse.

Is till the cows come home a saying?

Till the cows come home is an idiom that has been in use for quite awhile. We will examine the meaning of the idiom till the cows come home, where it came from, and some examples of its idiomatic usage in sentences. The idiom till the cows come home means a long time.

Where did the expression having a cow come from?

Origin unknown. Popularized by the TV-show The Simpsons where it was one of the catchphrases of Bart Simpson.

Why do you rub a horse down with hay?

The horse is rubbed or “curried” to help loosen dirt, hair, and other detritus, plus stimulate the skin to produce natural oils.

Can horses eat grass instead of hay?

Many pleasure and trail horses don’t need grain: good-quality hay or pasture is sufficient. If hay isn’t enough, grain can be added, but the bulk of a horse’s calories should always come from roughage. Horses are meant to eat roughage, and their digestive system is designed to use the nutrition in grassy stalks.

Why do horses quid hay?

When teeth are diseased, in disrepair, or missing, horses will sometimes drop feedstuffs from the mouth in the midst of chewing it, a behavior known commonly as “quidding.” A similar condition, called “cud dropping,” has been noted in cattle but is not related to dental health.

What do horses love the most?

Apples and carrots are traditional favorites. You can safely offer your horse raisins, grapes, bananas, strawberries, cantaloupe or other melons, celery, pumpkin, and snow peas. Most horses will chew these treats before swallowing, but horses that gulp large pieces of a fruit or vegetable have a risk of choking.

Does hay taste good to horses?

Alfalfa hay is very popular since it is readily available and is reasonably priced; it is the only forage that is sold in every state in the U.S. Not only is alfalfa easy to find, but horses also love the taste and almost always prefer the taste of alfalfa over grass hay.

Do horses sleep standing up?

Horses have an amazing ability to be able to sleep standing up. But they do also sleep lying down. If you’re a horse, you need to be able to do both. It’s one of the mistakes lots of people make about horses.

What can replace hay for horses?

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.

Should horses have hay all time?

Because we like to think our horses follow the same schedule that we do, many people think that horses need less hay at night because they’re asleep (and therefore, not eating). However, that’s a myth. Horses need access to forage at all times of the day.