Timothy Grass Hay is rapidly becoming a very popular hay forage across the United States.  As more people become regimented in feeding programs, timothy grass hay is the forage of choice.  Timothy grass hay generally has only two cuttings each growing season.  There is a difference between the two cuttings.  First cutting generally has larger stems, a little lower protein level, generally around 9%.  Timothy grass hay second cutting has a finer stem, shorter seed head and a little more protein at or near 11%.  The sugar level maintains around 8% with each cutting.  Timothy grass hay is an excellent choice for animals needing a maintenance level of hay forage.  Timothy grass is also an excellent selection of forage for insulin resistant horses, cushings, or convalescing horses.

Protein - Not Less Than 8%
Crude Fat - Not Less Than 1.2%
Crude Fiber - Not More Than 30%
Moisture - Not More Than 12%

*Persons requiring a more detailed analysis to make informed decisions about their animals feeding regimen should have their own individual analysis completed.

The most important thing in a horse’s diet is water. Provide plenty of fresh clean water at all times.  Because of low variances between cuttings, feeding regimens are vastly controlled and help professionals building the dietary regimens for animals needing a strict diet.  All forage grazing animals need long stem forage in their diets. The long stem forages can be supplemented with hay forages made into cubes and pellets. We recommend that you feed by weight and not by volume.  1-2% of a horse’s weight should be fed daily in hay forages.  This amount may vary depending on the animal’s needs and the horse’s activity.  Therefore, if a horse weighs 1,000lbs and is a performance horse, 20lbs of forage would be sufficient, however, consult with a veterinarian or nutritionist for selected forage types and specific needs for your animal(s).  Make feed changes gradually over a period of 7 days.