🌾 Long Stem vs Short Stem Hay for Horses: What’s Best in 2025? 🐴

When choosing the right forage for your horse, the terms “long stem” and “short stem” hay are becoming increasingly important. In this article, Dr. Duncan Houston helps you understand the difference and how to choose what’s best for your horse's health in 2025. 🌱

🌿 What Is Long Stem Hay?

Long stem hay refers to forage with pieces at least 2 inches in length. This is the most common form of baled hay and closely mimics the texture and function of fresh pasture grazing. Long stem hay requires more chewing, stimulates more saliva production, and provides excellent gut motility support.

Horses evolved grazing small amounts of forage continuously—up to 15 hours per day—and long stem hay allows them to replicate that natural behavior. 🐎

🍂 What Is Short Stem Hay?

Short stem hay includes hay cubes and hay pellets—both are chopped and processed forms of forage. These products are often used when:

• The horse has dental issues
• There's limited hay availability or poor hay quality
• The diet must be measured and controlled for health issues

Short stem hay requires less chewing and therefore produces less saliva, which can be a downside for gastric health. However, these products are still excellent options for horses that can’t handle long-stem hay. 🧃

💧 Why Saliva Matters

Chewing generates saliva, which is rich in calcium and sodium bicarbonate. These components buffer stomach acid and help prevent gastric ulcers. Horses on short-stem hay or grain-based diets produce less saliva, which increases the risk of acid damage to the stomach lining. 🧪

🌾 Nutritional Differences: Fresh Grass vs Hay

Fresh pasture provides:

• 80% water for hydration 💧
• Natural vitamins like A (beta carotene), C, D, E
• High-quality omega-3 fatty acids

Unfortunately, these nutrients degrade during the baling and storage process. Long stem hay, though still valuable, lacks some of these benefits. 🥬

🥕 When Is Short Stem Hay Useful?

Short stem hay cubes or pellets may be ideal for:

• Older horses with missing or painful teeth 🦷
• Horses recovering from choke or GI illness
• Situations requiring precise ration control
• Winter feeding when hay quality is poor ❄️

💡 Pro Tip: If feeding hay pellets or cubes as the primary forage source, make sure to supplement with a vitamin-mineral balancer and soak if necessary to reduce choke risk.

✅ Dr. Houston’s 2025 Feeding Recommendation

Whenever possible, feed long stem hay to healthy horses. It's the most natural, saliva-producing, and gut-friendly option available. Use hay nets to extend eating time and simulate natural grazing behavior. 🐎⏳

If your horse can’t handle long stem hay due to dental or medical issues, choose high-quality short stem hay and work closely with your vet to balance the diet. 🧑‍⚕️🪙

📱 Need Help Choosing Hay or Planning Diet?

Not sure which hay is right for your horse in 2025? Dr. Duncan Houston and the Ask A Vet team offer personalized nutrition consultations and forage analysis. Visit AskAVet.com or download the Ask A Vet app for support today! 📲🧾

Your horse’s digestive health starts with the right stem length. Choose smart. Feed well. 💚