Timothy Hay Nutrition for Horses

Horse nutrition has gotten complicated with all the different hay options flying around. As someone who’s been buying, testing, and feeding hay for well over a decade, I learned everything there is to know about timothy hay and what it does for horses. Today, I will share it all with you.

If you’re trying to figure out whether timothy hay belongs in your horse’s diet, you’re in the right place.

What Exactly Is Timothy Hay?

Timothy hay is a cool-season perennial grass that originally came from Europe and became one of the most popular hay crops in North America. It’s named after a guy called Timothy Hanson who started promoting it way back in the early 1700s. Farmers and horse people love it because of its:

• High fiber content that keeps guts moving
• Moderate protein — not too much, not too little
• Low sugar and starch levels
• Great taste (well, according to horses)
• Nice long stem structure

Timothy Hay Nutritional Breakdown

Probably should have led with this section, honestly. Here’s what you’re actually getting when you crack open a bale of timothy:

Keep in mind, these numbers shift depending on when the hay was harvested, what the soil was like, and how the weather cooperated that growing season. I’ve had bales from the same field in different years test wildly different.

Why Timothy Hay Works So Well for Horses

1. It’s Safe for Horses with Metabolic Issues

This is a big one. Timothy hay’s naturally low sugar and starch content makes it a go-to for horses dealing with:

• Insulin resistance
• Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS)
• A history of laminitis episodes
• Cushing’s disease (PPID)

I’ve managed several metabolic horses over the years, and timothy has always been my first recommendation. It lets you keep forage in front of them without the sugar spike.

2. Digestive Health Gets a Boost

All that fiber does wonders for the horse’s gut:

• Encourages proper chewing, which means more saliva production (and saliva buffers stomach acid)
• Feeds the beneficial bacteria in the hindgut
• Helps reduce the risk of gastric ulcers
• Keeps horses busy eating, which cuts down on boredom behaviors like cribbing

3. Great for Weight Management

If you’ve got an easy keeper who gains weight just looking at a blade of grass, timothy is your friend. It gives them the bulk and chewing satisfaction they crave without dumping a ton of calories on them.

4. Works at Every Life Stage

Weanlings, working horses, retirees — timothy hay is safe and appropriate for all of them, as long as you supplement where needed. That’s what makes timothy endearing to us horse people. It’s the one forage that pretty much everyone can agree on.

First Cut vs. Second Cut: What’s the Difference?

This trips up a lot of people, so let me break it down from my own experience buying both.

First Cut Timothy

• Thicker, coarser stems
• Higher fiber, fewer calories
• Lower protein content
• Best for: Easy keepers and horses on restricted diets

Second Cut Timothy

• Softer, leafier, and generally prettier hay
• Higher protein and calorie content
• Picky horses tend to prefer it
• Best for: Hard keepers, growing youngsters, and seniors with worn-down teeth

I usually stock both. First cut for the chunky ponies, second cut for the horses that need a little more.

How Much Timothy Hay Should Your Horse Be Eating?

The golden rule is 1.5-2% of body weight in forage per day. For a 1,000 lb horse, that shakes out to:

• Minimum: 15 lbs of hay daily
• Sweet spot: 20 lbs of hay daily
• Free choice: Many horses do really well self-regulating on timothy

Since timothy is lower in calories than something like alfalfa, horses might munch through a bit more to meet their energy needs. That’s usually fine — more chew time means a happier gut.

How Does Timothy Compare to Other Hays?

Timothy vs. Alfalfa

This is the comparison everyone asks about. Here’s the side-by-side:

Neither one is “better” — it depends entirely on your horse. I’ve fed both in combination plenty of times.

Timothy vs. Orchard Grass

These two are pretty close cousins nutritionally. Orchard grass tends to be softer and some horses prefer the texture. Honestly, I mix them together all the time and the horses seem to love it.

How to Spot Good Quality Timothy Hay

I’ve opened too many bad bales to not have strong opinions here. When you’re buying timothy, check for:

• Color: Should be green to light green. If it’s yellow or brown, it sat in the sun too long or got rained on
• Smell: You want a fresh, slightly sweet scent. If it smells musty or off, walk away
• Texture: Dry but still pliable. Brittle or dusty hay has lost its nutritional value
• Leaves: Lots of intact leaves, not just bare stems
• No mold: Zero white or gray patches. Period.
• Clean: Minimal weeds and no foreign objects

Storing Your Timothy Hay Properly

Good hay can turn into bad hay fast if you don’t store it right:

• Keep it somewhere dry with decent air circulation
• Get it off the ground — pallets work great
• Keep it out of direct sunlight (UV degrades nutrients)
• Use the oldest bales first — first in, first out
• Check your stacks regularly for mold or critter problems

Quick Answers to Common Timothy Questions

Can I feed timothy to a horse with ulcers?

Absolutely. Having constant access to forage helps buffer stomach acid, which is exactly what an ulcer-prone horse needs. Timothy is one of the best options for this.

Is timothy enough on its own?

For horses in light work? Often, yes — as long as you add a ration balancer or vitamin/mineral supplement to fill in the gaps. Horses in moderate to heavy work will probably need some additional calories from grain or a richer hay like alfalfa.

Why does timothy cost so much?

It’s finicky to grow well and the demand is consistently high, especially out west. Where you live makes a huge difference in price. I’ve seen it range from $5 a bale to $20+ depending on the region and the year’s growing conditions.

My Take on Timothy Hay

After feeding timothy hay to dozens of horses across all sorts of situations, I keep coming back to it as the foundation of most feeding programs. It’s safe, it’s reliable, and horses like it. The moderate nutrition, high fiber, and low sugar make it hard to mess up.

If you’re not sure what hay to start with, or you’re dealing with a metabolic horse that needs a safe forage, timothy is probably your answer. But every horse is different, so don’t hesitate to talk to your vet or an equine nutritionist if you want a customized plan.

Learn more about feeding your horse in our horse nutrition guides.