When it comes to feeding horses, forage is the foundation. But not all forage looks the same. Depending on your barn setup, storage space, feeding routine, and your horse’s needs, you may come across several options including loose hay, hay cubes, and pellets.
While all three can play a role in an equine diet, they differ in how they’re made, how they’re fed, and what they’re best used for. This guide breaks down the differences in a simple, practical way so you can make the best choice for your barn.
Loose Hay: The Traditional Forage Option
Loose hay is the most common form of forage fed in barns. It typically comes in bales and is fed in flakes or portions throughout the day.
Pros of loose hay
Loose hay is familiar, widely available, and easy to feed in many barn setups. Horses are also naturally adapted to eating long-stem forage, which can support natural chewing behavior and steady intake.
Things to consider
Loose hay can vary in quality from load to load, and it often creates more mess and waste. Horses may pull hay out of feeders, scatter it, or leave behind parts they don’t want. Storage also requires space and protection from weather.
Hay Cubes: Compressed Forage with Consistent Feeding
Hay cubes are made by compressing chopped forage into dense cubes. They are still forage, just in a different form.
Many barns use hay cubes as a primary forage source or as a supplement alongside loose hay. They are especially popular for barns looking for a cleaner feeding setup and more consistent portioning.
Pros of hay cubes
Hay cubes are easy to store, easy to measure, and often create less waste than loose hay. Because they are uniform in size and density, it is easier to feed consistent amounts day to day.
They can also be soaked if needed, which can be helpful for horses that benefit from softer forage.
Things to consider
Some horses may need time to transition to cubes, especially if they are used to long-stem hay. As with any feed change, cubes should be introduced gradually. Some owners also choose to soak cubes depending on the horse and feeding routine.
Pellets: A More Processed Forage Product
Pellets are made by grinding forage or feed ingredients into a fine texture and pressing them into small pellets. In many cases, pellets are used to supplement forage intake or add calories, rather than replace long-stem hay completely.
Pros of pellets
Pellets are compact, easy to store, and can be helpful for horses that need additional calories in a concentrated form. They are also easy to mix with supplements.
Things to consider
Because pellets are more processed, they are typically fed differently than loose hay. They also don’t provide the same long-stem chewing experience as traditional hay, which can matter depending on your horse’s feeding needs and daily routine.
Which Option Is Best for Your Barn?
The best forage option depends on your goals and your barn setup.
Loose hay may be a good fit if you have plenty of storage space, prefer long-stem feeding, and have a setup that minimizes waste.
Hay cubes may be a great option if you want a cleaner, more consistent feeding routine, reduced waste, and easier storage, especially for barns managing multiple horses.
Pellets can be useful in certain feeding programs, particularly when used as a supplement, but they are a more processed option and are typically not used the same way as traditional hay.
Final Thoughts
Hay cubes, pellets, and loose hay can all be part of a horse feeding program, but they are not interchangeable in every situation. Understanding how each is made and how it functions in a diet helps you choose the right option for your horses and your barn.
If your goal is consistent feeding, easier storage, and less waste, hay cubes are often one of the most practical forage options available.
To learn more about hay cubes, bulk ordering, or finding a dealer near you, visit paramountcubing.com.
