Horse Forage Intake During the Winter: Types, Alternatives and Strategies

As fall gives way to winter and pastures fade, savvy horse owners reassess their horses’ nutrition strategies—focusing primarily on forage.

In the southern U.S., winter may require only minor adjustments. However, in the northern U.S. and Canada, more significant changes to feeding forage programs are often necessary.

In this article, you'll discover why winter forage matters for horses, which forages qualify as suitable during colder months, common types of winter forage, forage alternatives when hay is limited, and innovative strategies for maintaining forage intake throughout the winter.

The Importance of Horse Winter Forage & Nutrition

The first step in preparing your horse’s winter diet is to understand how winter weather in your region will affect their nutritional needs—especially forage. As temperatures drop and cold rain or snow set in, your horse’s daily nutrient requirements naturally rise, particularly their need for energy (calories).

Forage serves as the foundation of every horse’s diet. In the winter, fresh pasture is typically unavailable or limited, especially in northern climates. That’s why other forms of forage become critical—not only as a calorie source but also as a heat source. The fermentation of fiber in the hindgut produces internal warmth, helping horses maintain body temperature in cold conditions.

Without adequate forage, horses may lose weight, become cold-stressed, or develop digestive issues such as gastric ulcers or colic. Insufficient fiber intake can also disrupt hindgut motility and microbial balance, reducing nutrient absorption and overall health. That’s why fiber-rich forage is a cornerstone of winter feeding—it supports digestive function, immune health, and overall well-being.

Hay Requirements in Winter Seasons

According to the National Research Council (NRC), adult horses require a minimum of 1.5% of their body weight in forage daily, even when not in work. In cold weather, this amount often needs to increase to meet rising energy demands, especially for horses still in work.

In winter, when pasture is unavailable, high-quality hay becomes the primary fiber source. It should be tested and fed based on temperature, workload, and body condition. In extreme cold, a horse’s hay requirements may increase by as much as 50%. 

Experts from North Dakota State University recommend feeding an additional 2 pounds of hay for every 10°F the temperature falls below freezing (32°F) for an average-sized horse. As such, increasing feeding frequency in winter can also be beneficial. 

While offering free-choice hay is the most ideal, offering forage three times a day instead of two, for example, helps maintain a steady supply of fiber in the hindgut. This supports continuous microbial fermentation, which generates internal heat and aids in temperature regulation.

What Qualifies as a Winter Forage?

When pasture growth slows or stops, horses rely on stored and processed forages for daily fiber and energy. Forage availability varies by climate, pasture management, and region. 

Understanding the different types of forage for horses—and how climate affects their availability—is key to building a winter feeding plan that supports gut health, body condition, and energy needs throughout the cold season.

Common Types of Winter Forages for Horses

When pasture is no longer an option, a variety of dry forage sources can help maintain your horse’s fiber intake requirements through the winter—each with its own benefits, limitations, and ideal use cases.

Some of the most common types of dry winter forages include:

Hay

The most widely used winter forage is hay. Grass hays (such as timothy, orchardgrass, or brome) and legume hays (like alfalfa or clover) offer reliable fiber and energy for horses. According to the National Research Council, horses should consume 1.5–2% of their body weight in forage daily. 

Hay’s nutritional content depends on the species, stage of maturity at harvest, and storage conditions. Ideally, it should be tested to determine its value to make appropriate adjustments to the horse’s overall feeding program.

Hay Cubes and Hay Pellets

Made from ground and compressed forage, hay cubes are coarsely chopped blocks typically from a single hay type, while hay pellets are finely ground, blended hays shaped into small cylinders that may contain binders, additives, or grain.

Hay cubes and pellets are convenient, consistent, and easy to store. They’re ideal for horses with poor dental health or when traditional hay is unavailable. These processed forages can partially or completely replace baled hay when introduced gradually to avoid digestive upset.

Beet Pulp

A highly digestible fiber source that serves as a valuable hay extender or partial hay replacement, especially when hay is limited. While beet pulp is safe to feed dry in most cases, it's often recommended to soak it for older horses or those prone to choke.

Complete Feeds and Forage-Replacement Products

When hay quality is poor or availability is limited, complete feeds or forage-extending products are another ideal way to help meet a horse’s daily fiber requirements. 

These feeds are specially formulated to provide both essential nutrients and enough structural fiber to serve as a partial or complete forage replacement when needed. According to the National Research Council, these types of products must contain a minimum level of fiber—usually 15% or higher—to qualify as a complete feed for horses.

These forage-based feeds often include ingredients like beet pulp, soy hulls, alfalfa meal, or dehydrated forages, and are carefully balanced to support digestive health. While ideally, they shouldn’t be the primary forage source, they offer valuable support for:

  • Senior horses with poor teeth who have difficulty chewing hay
  • Horses with respiratory issues who are sensitive to hay dust
  • Managing hay shortages or inconsistent forage supply
  • Horses needing additional fiber to support weight gain or maintain body condition
  • Horses with limited pasture grass access due to metabolic conditions like insulin dysregulation or laminitis

Common Cool-Season Grasses and Legumes for Horses

Cool-season grasses and legumes are vital forage sources for horses during spring, fall, and winter—especially in northern regions where pasture growth slows or stops. As temperatures drop, horses require more calories, often increasing daily forage needs. 

In the South, mild winters may extend forage growth, while in the North, snow and prolonged cold make stored forages essential. Most cool-season species grow best between 55°F and 80°F, with some, like ryegrass, tolerating short dips to 41°F. Evaluating regional forage availability is an essential first step for adjusting winter feeding plans. 

Below is a summary of common cool-season forages for horses in North America:

Kentucky Bluegrass

  • Type: Cool-season grass
  • Crude Protein (CP): 12–17%
  • Digestible Energy (DE): 0.86–1.04 Mcal/lb
  • Notes: High nutritional value—but goes dormant in hot weather.

Ryegrass

  • Type: Cool-season grass
  • Crude Protein (CP): 11–17%
  • Digestible Energy (DE): 0.82–1.0 Mcal/lb
  • Notes: Nutrient-dense—but sensitive to temperatures below 41°F or above 87°F.

Timothy

  • Type: Cool-season grass
  • Crude Protein (CP): 11–15%
  • Digestible Energy (DE): 0.82–1.04 Mcal/lb
  • Notes: Popular for horses—but quality declines as it matures.

Alfalfa

  • Type: Cool-season legume
  • Crude Protein (CP): 18–22%
  • Digestible Energy (DE): 1.0–1.2 Mcal/lb
  • Notes: Very high in protein and energy, and grows best in well-drained, fertile soils.

Red Clover

  • Type: Cool-season legume
  • Crude Protein (CP): 15–22%
  • Digestible Energy (DE): 1.0–1.3 Mcal/lb
  • Notes: Shorter growing season—palatable and nutrient-rich.

Tips for Safely Switching Horses to New Forage Types in the Winter 

  • Transition gradually over 7 to 14 days. Introduce new hay or forage gradually to avoid disrupting the hindgut, which can lead to colic or digestive upset.
  • Follow feeding guidelines. Always feed according to the product’s label and adjust amounts based on your horse’s body weight and condition.
  • Monitor your horse closely. Watch for changes in appetite, manure consistency, or behavior that may signal digestive upset.
  • Consult a nutritionist or veterinarian. An equine nutritionist can help ensure you're meeting nutrient requirements and making safe transitions during the winter months.

Support Your Horse's Nutrition in the Winter Months with Tribute Equine

Sometimes, simply increasing the amount of hay fed isn’t always enough to maintain a horse’s body condition during winter. In some cases, such as for hard-keeping or hard-working horses, adding a higher-calorie feed or a fat supplement may be necessary to meet elevated energy demands. For instance, K Finish®, a 25% fat supplement, can be added to the diet to support weight maintenance and overall condition throughout the colder months.

When hay is limited or of poor quality in winter, Tribute Equine Nutrition offers several forage-extending solutions to help maintain fiber intake and digestive health. Kalm ‘N EZ and Wholesome Blends™ Senior, for example, contain high-quality fiber sources like timothy hay, beet pulp, and soy hulls, making them excellent options for partially replacing hay while still supporting the hindgut. 

For horses that need a complete feed due to dental issues or poor hay availability, Seniority™  is designed to serve as a complete hay replacement, providing adequate fiber and balanced nutrition in a soft, easy-to-chew form. These products also include prebiotics, probiotics, Uptake™ Technology for optimal nutrient absorption, and added fat for energy—essential features when forage alone can’t meet winter calorie demands. 

If you have any questions about your winter-feeding plan or concerns about your winter forages, you can reach out to the Tribute Nutrition team for a free personalized feed plan. 

References: 

Article By:
Chris Mortensen, Ph.D.
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