Is Timothy Hay Pellets Good For Horses?
Timothy Hay Pellets are a good source of digestible fibre with lower protein content. This is a lower calorie forage replacement that is easy to feed and can be used in a low-dust diet. Mad Barn’s Feed Bank provides nutritional profiles on +3,000 forages, feeds and supplements used in the equine diet.
What do timothy pellets do for horses?
Grass forages and forage products such as timothy pellets provide the fiber your horse needs in a highly digestible form. When used to replace part of the forage in the diet, Seminole Timothy Pellets can provide the necessary roughage without excess calories or protein usually found in alfalfa forages.
Can timothy pellets replace hay?
This all-natural hay pellet is made from 100% pure sun-cured timothy. This highly digestible pellet can be used to completely replace loose hay or supplement pasture for horses, cattle, sheep, goats, rabbits, etc.
What is the difference between alfalfa and timothy pellets?
Alfalfa hay and timothy hay are both forage sources commonly used in rabbit and guinea pig diets. Nutritionally speaking, however, they are very different. Alfalfa contains higher concentrations of protein and calcium compared to timothy hay (Table 1).
Do you have to soak timothy pellets?
Pellets MUST be soaked before feeding, as they expand considerably when mixed with water. Shreds can be fed dry or soaked.
Can you feed timothy pellets dry to horses?
The pellets can be fed dry, but many horses prefer them to be soaked in water and fed as a mash. For young horses, old horses, and those with dental issues, soaking the pellets first may be a necessity. Horses can be sensitive to diet changes, so always make any diet change slowly.
How much timothy pellets should I feed my horse?
Horses should be fed 1.5% to 2% of their body weight in total feed per day, divided into at least 2 feedings. Example: A 1000lb horse would require 15lb to 20lb of total feed per day, comprised of 3lb of supplemental feed plus 12lb to 17lb of Timothy Hay Pellets.
How long do you soak timothy pellets?
FEEDING TIPS:
Horses that have dental problems or for horses that aggressively consume their feed, Standlee Premium Products cubes and pellets are recommended to be fed wet, soaked in water for 30 minutes or until properly softened.
Which is better hay or pellets?
Hay provides the largest volume of fiber overall compared to hay pellets, cubes and chopped hay due to its natural particle size (longer leaves and stems) and requires longer chew time per pound. Chew time is critical mentally and physically for grazing herbivores.
Can horses choke on hay pellets?
You will hear all kinds of myths that pellets, cubes or beet pulp cause choking, but in reality a horse can choke on any type of food under the right conditions. Horses have been known to choke on hay, apples and even grass!
What is the healthiest 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 hay is not good for horses?
Bahiagrass: This grass hails from the southern coastal plains. It’s typically found in pastures, so the stuff they make into hay is not that great for horses. Overly mature Bahiagrass hay can cause ergot poisoning, so buyer beware.
What hay is best for older horses?
Alfalfa hay and good quality grass hays are preferable to stemmy and mature hays that have tougher fiber to ferment. The small intestine loses some function – Older horses find it harder to digest protein in the small intestine.
Can you feed a horse just pellets?
For a horse who eats little hay, however, you will need to feed his entire ration as pellets. Usually 15-20 lbs per day of alfalfa or timothy pellets for a 1000# horse. pellets daily over 2-3 weeks. Put the pellets in a bucket, cover with warm water, and then dump them into a large muck bucket and feed immediately.
Are hay pellets the same as hay?
Hay or Hay Pellets for Horses
Horse owners often ask if there are any differences in feeding a hay pellet or hay from the bale? The short answer is “yes”. Hay pellets are hay that have been ground and processed with heat and steam. It basically just changes the form of the hay.
How much water do I put in horse pellets?
How much water should you add? We recommend about 8-10 liters of water/sack. The pellets also soften faster if hot water is used. You can then decide yourself on the moisture content of the bedding by adding more water or dry pellets.
Which is better for horses alfalfa or timothy?
Alfalfa hay is typically higher in protein and essential nutrients than timothy hay, making Alfalfa a better option for more active animals that need a high-protein diet. Alfalfa also has more calories per pound than timothy, so it’s generally the preferred choice of sport horse owners.
Are timothy pellets high in protein?
Timothy Grass Pellets are composed of pure timothy hay that is ground and pelleted. The pellets are low in protein (8%), high in fiber, and are designed for mature and overweight horses as well as horses with metabolic issues.
Is sweet feed or pellets better for horses?
Sweet feeds are highly palatable to your horse. They allow you to see individual grains to inspect for quality. Pellets and extruded feeds are usually highly digestible because the grains have been processed (ground up) into small pellets. This tends to digest quicker in your horse’s digestive tract.
Do you have to soak pellets for horses?
Typically, feed is soaked to soften it and make it easier to chew. Horses with poor dentition are the primary beneficiaries of this practice. But even if your horse has perfect teeth, you can still soak feed. Soaking feed helps increase the amount of water your horse consumes.
How many cups are in a pound of timothy pellets?
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Hay Pellets | Cups per pound | Pounds per 3lb. coffee can |
---|---|---|
¼ in. Alfalfa | 3.25 | 3.7 |
¼ in. Timothy | 3.25 | 3.7 |
¼ in. Oat | 3.5 | 3.4 |
¼ in. Orchard | 4.25 | 2.8 |
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