The feed manufacturer should designate the amount and the call to the vet is certainly a very good idea.

I have also had people tell me that to do this well, it’s a good idea to soak the hay cubes to get them to swell up becoming closer to hay and giving the horse the volume – it’s very easy to feed something small and cause problems because like a sponge they swell up when they get wet.

Consider also packaged beet pulp – some people swear by it to help promote weight gain and keep the digestive system functioning well – like hay cubes, the beet pulp is dried, so will swell when moisture is added so many people say to also soak that in water before feeding to get it to bulk BEFORE ingesting.

I haven’t ever had a hay shortage myself, but have heard many people tell of things. I recently learned of a person feeding barley in place of oats and such due to a higher protein content – I am sure a horse must be provided this change gradually. I also know of people who feed their horses silage, but this is very dangerous to them and must be done with great care.

I have a mare that is a hard-keeper and I’ve found the best luck feeding her a low starch feed ( I use Strategy by Purina) along with an equal amount of Equine Senior and I top dress with a Kent Product called Omegatin. When I got her (she’s a mare off the track Thoroughbred so high metabolism naturally) she wasn’t skin and bones, but not in the best of shape. I tried all sorts of things without success until my dentist suggested the Senoir feed and the Omegatin. The Omegatin isn’t cheap, and can be fed as a top dress or a whole feed.

Hay shortages are a fact of nature but so sad. Best of luck to you – we’re almost to a new hay season.
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