What’s Better Hay Cubes or Hay Pellets

Feeding Horses Hay Cubes Versus Hay Pellets

When it comes to feeding fiber to horses, most usually think of pasture or hay. However, other popular options can include the feeding of cubes or pellets. Knowing the differences between hay cubes and hay pellets is important. It helps horse owners choose the best option for their needs. Both hay cubes and hay pellets can be good for horses. However, they are typically useful only in specific situations.

The Difference Between Hay Cubes and Hay Pellets

Hay cubes and hay pellets process hay into different forms. Both are high in fiber, providing horses with a good source of energy. However, they don’t contain the “long-stems” that support a healthy equine digestive system. Despite this, they work well as alternatives for certain horses in specific situations. Hay cubes and pellets differ in their processing, composition, and feeding characteristics.

Composition (what hay cubes and pellets contain)

Producers make hay cubes by coarsely chopping hay, including stems, leaves, and seed heads, and compressing them into blocks. Cubes typically use a single type of forage, like timothy hay or alfalfa, but may also combine different types.
Manufacturers create hay pellets by grinding hay into small particles and compressing it into cylindrical shapes, similar to pelleted horse feeds. Pellets often mix different hays and include additives like binders, other ingredients, and sometimes grain.

Texture (what the final product will feel and look like)

Hay cubes are generally larger in size and more course. They can be a couple inches to many inches in size.
Hay pellets are more uniform in shape like pelleted horse feeds. They are much smaller, at ½ to ¼ inch in diameter.

Processing (how the product is produced)

Both methods help reduce dust associated with forage, increase uniformity, and help with ease of transport and storage.

Hay cubes are made with a simple process of chopping the hay, then compressing it into cubes.
Hay pellets are finely chopped and, using heat and pressure, are formed into the smaller cylinder pellets.

Feeding Method

Hay cubes, due to their texture and size, usually take longer to chew. Thus, they can somewhat resemble the grazing experience for horses.
Hay pellets are like pelleted horse feeds.
You can often feed them as a complete feed for certain subsets of horses, or use them as supplemental feed.

The benefits of feeding either hay cubes or hay pellets as supplements to a horse’s forage or fiber portion of their diet is their uniformity. The quality changes very little between bag to bag, unlike differences between shipments of hay or seasonality of a horse’s pasture.

Choosing Between Feeding Hay Cubes and/or Hay Pellets

Hay cubes and hay pellets can be excellent alternatives under certain conditions. During droughts or hay shortages, use hay cubes or pellets as emergency feed. They provide fiber when forage is scarce.

There are other situations where hay cubes may be preferred:

Horses with dental problems, such as missing teeth or having difficulty with chewing long-stem forage, may be a situation for the use of hay cubes. While still coarse, cubes can help promote dental health and replicate a more natural grazing experience (i.e., producing saliva) for horses.
Overweight horses or easy keepers may need a reduced amount of forage in their diet. The use of cubes can help in monitoring and control overall feed intake.
Limited forage or hay is a time when hay cubes may be preferred over hay pellets. As stated, it takes more time to chew cubes (versus pellets), which promotes increased saliva production and makes horses take longer to eat.

Hay pellets, on the other hand, may be preferable in certain situations, including:

Respiratory conditions, such as heaves or dust allergies, may see benefits when feeding hay pellets. When compared to long-stem forage and even hay cubes, hay pellets are less dusty, which can reduce the risk of respiratory irritation, thus promoting respiratory health.
Senior horses that have more complicated dental problems or greatly reduced chewing ability may benefit from the feeding of hay pellets. Hay pellets are softer and easier to chew when compared to hay cubes.
Competition horses or horses that travel often can benefit from hay pellets. Bales of hay take up a lot of space, whereas hay pellets are easier to store, handle and transport. Yet, it is never advisable to change a horse’s diet rapidly, as it can cause colic or other digestive upset. If planning to feed hay pellets (or cubes) when competing, ensure your horse has properly transitioned to that diet.

You can use cubes and pellets in all these situations. This list isn’t exhaustive. These options work well for some horses.

Feeding Considerations with Hay Cubes or Hay Pellets

Horses need long-stem forage in their daily diet. This keeps their digestive tract healthy. Cubes or pellets can replace or supplement hay or pasture intake in certain situations.

Adult horses should eat at least 1% of their body weight in long-stem forage daily. For a 1000-pound horse, that means a minimum of 10 pounds per day. Hay cubes or pellets can help meet fiber needs. Some experts recommend at least 2 pounds of long-stem forage daily for a 1000-pound horse. The rest can come from hay cubes or pellets. For example, a horse could eat 8 pounds of hay cubes and 2 pounds of long-stem forage.

Here are some other important considerations when feeding hay cubes or pellets:

As mentioned, hay cubes can be quite coarse and difficult to chew/swallow. For horses that have chewing or dental problems, tend to bolt their feed, or have a history of choke, it is recommended to soak hay cubes, and even hay pellets. Soaking in water will help soften the cubes and pellets. Soaking hay cubes can take, at minimum, 30 minutes up to a few hours, depending on their size. Soaking hay pellets can usually take about 15 minutes and is used to soften the pellet, but not make it a mash.
Dry feeding. Either cubes or pellets can be fed dry to those without a history of choking if they have good dental health; however, it is generally best practice to soak cubes for all horses and possibly hay pellets, depending on the diameter of the pellet. Like horse feed, cubes or pellets can be placed in a feeding pan.
Mixed feeding. Hay pellets can be mixed in with horse feed if a horse needs more fiber in their diet. They can also be mixed in with medications or other supplements. However, there are many complete feeds that may be a better choice.
Feeding frequency. The reason cubes or pellets are being fed will influence frequency. For example, if being used as a replacement for forage, it is generally recommended to feed multiple times per day.
Prior to exercise. Hay cubes or hay pellets have been suggested as an excellent feed prior to exercise. If fed 30 minutes prior to exercise, it can help buffer the stomach against the splashing of stomach acid and reduce gastric ulcers.

When it comes to feeding cubes or pellets, it is best to speak with an equine nutritionist. The market offers many complete feeds that may better fit your horse(s) or situation.Complete feeds are also high in fiber and fortified with many other ingredients to ensure horses are receiving all their daily nutrition. You can learn more about this topic in our What Is a Complete Feed and Does Your Horse Need One article.

Original Article Source: Chris Mortensen, Ph.D. – Tribute Equine Nutrition