Feeding a horse extra hay/hay cubes before riding...

[HH2004]

I’m wondering if there is any harm in purchasing extra hay or hay cubes (which would be easier) that way I can give my horse something to munch on while I’m at the barn and before/after we go riding. I think he gets a good amount of hay, but I think he could use a little more and he is happier when he has some food in his belly before we go riding, especially if we go trail riding. So my question is would there be harm in giving him hay cubes, or concentrated hay only a few times a week when I’m there. I’m worried doing this a few times and not doing it on a daily consistent basis will cause digestive problems… I think the safest bet would be to purchase grass hay and take some with me to the barn, only problem is I really don’t have a lot of room for hay storage at my house. I could only store a few bales at a time. Anyway, just wanted some opinions because I’m over thinking it and just wonder if anyone else takes hay/hay cubes to the barn to give to their horse before going riding and if you think it will cause any issues.

Thanks!!

[Simkie]

Nope, no harm at all. Lot of people give a small bucket of soaked cubes prior to riding to reduce the acid “slosh” in the stomach. Use what is easiest for you, although soaking cubes or pellets is safer than not

You might check with your BO, though, to see if they’d care if you grab a half flake for your horse before you ride. As long as your horse isn’t wasting the hay, they may not mind at all

[Lusoluv]

I give hay before every ride/training session since my horse isn’t on free choice hay - for the same reason Simkie stated: “stomach acid slosh”.

I advocate plain hay, but soaked cubes or pellets better than not feeding anything.

[HH2004]

Thank you!! I was definitely over thinking it, as I often do lol. I appreciate the advice!

I have had him on soaked alfalfa cubes and also pellets but, it was on a daily basis. He loved them though! I’m sure he will be thrilled to get them a few times a week… I was also looking at the Triple Crown processed hay, its a mix of chopped timothy and orchard hay. Thought that might work for him too, do you have any experience or know of anyone thats used it?

[AKB]

I give Standlee compressed alfalfa before riding. I have also used Dengie. My horse is happier during the ride if his stomach is full.

[kashmere]

Go for it. I like to give a small amount of soaked alfalfa pellets before I ride. My mare has hay just about 24/7, but I like alfalfa because of the calcium content. She is also recovering from ulcers (halfway through our GG treatment) so I am extra cautious.

[Magicboy]

I give a little bit of alfalfa to avoid the empty stomach issues I’ve never fed cubes…do they have to be soaked?

[pezk]

I feed 1/2 a small bucket of well soaked alfafa cubes before riding. Helps the mares mood not to have that acid in her stomach making her resistant.

[Guilherme]

As long as it’s not a heavy feed I don’t see a problem.

G.

[csaper58]

I always use soaked hay cubes pre-ride. That way the horse maintains better hydration.

If you feed hay be sure to offer water.

[Gestalt]

Another that feeds a small amount of soaked alfalfa pellets before I ride. I also chop a couple carrots into bite size pieces and put them on top. It smells really good.

[allons-y]

When I boarded I always fed grass hay as I readied to ride. Some people don’t agree with this, but I brushed and tacked most of the way while he ate, tied with a halter. I know the stall is supposed to be their sanctuary, but they also must comply when I say otherwise. After the ride, I’d feed the breakfast concentrates. The 2nd horse got a handfull of his breakfast and usual am hay while I rode. Then when I came back in, he was brushed and tacked and worked.

I ride twice daily on my days off, weather permitting, so 4 days a week. They got at least 3 days off a week, at least 2 in a row, so no big deal.

[goodkarma]

I will NOT ride a horse on an empty stomach… must have hay or grass in the belly. If unable to do so (I’ve boarded at some hay-strict barns), I’ll bring my own alfalfa cubes and soak them.

[MissAriel]

I have timothy pellets that I feed because we can get alfalfa hay, but timothy is tough to get. Any reason timothy pellets wouldn’t work if fed (soaked) before riding?

[Scribbler]

I know many boarding barns don’t want their boarders messing around in the feed room, for obvious reasons. But perhaps you can get permission to give him a small flake of hay on the days you ride. Otherwise soaked cubes would be fine, I think.

[ISR]

I feed chopped hay before I ride. I would ask your barn owner if you could keep a bag of it stored somewhere.

[HH2004]

Thanks for all of the advice, I found compressed alfalfa/grass hay and he seems to be doing really well with it. I give it to him while I’m grooming and tacking. He loves it!