Timothy Hay vs Alfalfa Hay for Horses in Ontario: Which One Should You Feed?

If you've ever stood in front of a stack of horse hay wondering “Should I buy timothy or alfalfa?”, you're not alone.

It's one of the most common questions horse owners ask when choosing forage.

The answer isn't simply that one hay is better than the other.

Timothy hay and alfalfa hay serve different nutritional purposes, and the better choice depends on your horse's age, workload, body condition, forage quality and overall diet.

Timothy is a grass hay, while alfalfa is a legume forage. In general, alfalfa tends to provide more protein, calcium and energy than many grass hays, while timothy can be a practical choice for horses that need a forage source with lower nutrient density.

For horse owners in Ontario, understanding the difference can help you choose hay more confidently instead of buying based only on appearance or price.

Timothy hay vs alfalfa hay for horses

Timothy Hay vs Alfalfa Hay: What's the Difference?

The biggest difference is that timothy is a grass hay and alfalfa is a legume hay.

That difference affects their nutritional profiles.

Feature	Timothy Hay	Alfalfa Hay
Hay type	Grass	Legume
Protein	Generally lower	Generally higher
Energy	Generally moderate	Generally higher
Calcium	Generally lower	Generally higher
Fibre	Important source	Important source
Common use	Maintenance horses	Higher nutrient requirements
Suitable for	Many adult/easy-keeping horses	Growing, working or higher-demand horses
Main consideration	Actual forage quality	Nutrient density

These are general comparisons. Actual nutrient levels can vary significantly

depending on maturity, growing conditions, harvest timing and storage.

That's why hay analysis is more useful than relying on the name printed on the bale alone.

Is Timothy or Alfalfa Better for Horses?

Timothy hay may be a better fit for horses that maintain weight easily and need a forage with moderate nutrient density. Alfalfa can be useful for horses with higher protein or energy requirements, including some growing, working or hard-keeping horses.

The right choice should be based on the horse's body condition, workload, age and the nutritional value of the actual hay.

Timothy Hay for Horses

Timothy is one of the most commonly recognized grass hays used in horse feeding.

It provides fibre and can form an important part of the forage portion of a horse's diet.

Many adult horses with moderate nutritional requirements can do well on good-quality grass hay.

Timothy hay may be a good option when:

• Your horse maintains weight easily

• Your horse has a relatively low workload

• You want a grass-based forage

• Your horse does not require large amounts of additional energy

• You want to make forage the foundation of the diet

  
  

But not all timothy hay is the same.

The maturity of the plant, harvest timing and growing conditions can change its nutritional value.

That means “timothy” does not automatically mean low-calorie or low-sugar hay.

Alfalfa Hay for Horses

Alfalfa is a nutrient-dense legume forage.

Compared with many grass hays, it generally contains more protein, calcium and energy.

That makes it useful in diets for horses with higher nutritional requirements.

Alfalfa may be considered for:

• Growing horses

• Performance horses

• Horses needing additional calories

• Some hard keepers

• Lactating mares

• Horses requiring additional protein

  
  

However, more nutrients aren't automatically better for every horse.

An easy keeper that gains weight readily may not need a highly nutrient-dense forage as the main component of the diet.

Which Hay Has More Calories?

Alfalfa generally provides more digestible energy than many grass hays, including typical timothy hay.

That can be useful when a horse needs additional calories.

For example, a hard-keeping horse that struggles to maintain body condition may benefit from a more nutrient-dense forage.

On the other hand, an easy keeper may maintain weight perfectly well on good-quality grass hay.

The objective is not to feed the highest-calorie hay.

The objective is to provide enough calories to maintain an appropriate body condition without unnecessarily overfeeding energy.

Which Hay Is Better for Easy Keepers?

For many easy-keeping horses, a suitable grass hay such as timothy may be easier to manage than a highly nutrient-dense forage.

But there is an important point:

You should not assume every timothy hay is automatically low in sugar or calories.

Growing conditions and maturity affect nutrient levels.

If your horse is prone to weight gain or has specific metabolic concerns, work with your veterinarian or equine nutrition professional to determine appropriate forage and feeding strategies.

Hay analysis can be particularly useful when making these decisions.

Which Hay Is Better for Performance Horses?

Performance horses often have higher nutritional requirements because of their workload.

Depending on the horse and its existing ration, alfalfa may provide additional protein and energy that can be useful.

However, alfalfa does not automatically replace the need for a balanced performance feed.

The complete diet should be considered.

A performance horse's ration may include:

forage + concentrate/feed + minerals/vitamins + water

The correct combination depends on workload, body condition, forage analysis and individual requirements.

Timothy vs Alfalfa for Growing Horses

Growing horses have different nutritional requirements from mature maintenance horses.

Protein, energy and mineral balance are especially important during development.

Alfalfa can be a useful forage for growing horses because of its nutrient density, including its protein and calcium content.

However, the entire ration must be balanced.

Young horses should not simply be fed unlimited high-nutrient feed without considering their overall diet.

If you're feeding a foal, yearling or growing horse, consider getting professional advice about the complete ration.

Can You Feed Timothy and Alfalfa Together?

Yes.

In fact, a timothy/alfalfa mix can be a practical way to combine characteristics of grass and legume forage.

The nutritional value will depend heavily on the proportion of each forage and the quality of the individual hay.

For example:

Higher timothy + lower alfalfa

may provide a more moderate nutrient profile.

While:

Higher alfalfa + lower timothy

will generally provide greater nutrient density.

Timothy Hay vs Alfalfa Hay for Senior Horses

Senior horses can be particularly challenging because nutritional needs vary significantly from one horse to another.

A senior horse that maintains weight well may do perfectly well with suitable grass hay.

Another senior horse that struggles to maintain body condition may require a more nutrient-dense forage and/or a senior-specific feed.

Dental condition also matters.

If a horse cannot chew long-stem hay properly, alternative forage products or soaked feeds may be considered with appropriate professional guidance.

So the question shouldn't simply be:

“Is alfalfa better for senior horses?”

Instead ask:

“What does this particular senior horse need from its forage?”

Don't Choose Hay by Colour Alone

Bright green hay can look attractive.

But colour alone does not tell you everything about nutritional quality.

When evaluating horse hay, consider:

• Smell

• Dust

• Mould

• Leafiness

• Stem maturity

• Foreign material

• Storage conditions

• Harvest timing

• Laboratory analysis where available

  
  

High-quality hay should be clean and free from obvious mould or contamination.

 What Should Ontario Horse Owners Look For?

Ontario's growing conditions and seasonal weather can influence forage production and storage.

When purchasing hay, consider:

1. Forage type

Is it timothy, alfalfa or a mixture?

2. Maturity

Was it harvested at an appropriate stage?

3. Cleanliness

Is it free from mould, excessive dust and unwanted plant material?

4. Nutritional analysis

Do you know the protein, energy and other relevant nutrient levels?

5. Storage

Has the hay been protected from excessive moisture?

Consistency

If you're buying multiple bales, are they from the same lot or harvest?

These factors are often more useful than simply choosing a bale because it looks greener.

Timothy Hay vs Alfalfa Hay: Which Should You Buy?

Here's a simple starting point:

Your Horse	Hay Type to Consider
Easy keeper	Good-quality grass hay such as timothy
Adult maintenance horse	Timothy or other suitable grass hay
Performance horse	Timothy, alfalfa or a suitable mix depending on requirements
Growing horse	Nutrient-dense forage such as alfalfa may be useful
Hard keeper	Alfalfa or timothy/alfalfa mix may provide additional nutrients
Senior horse	Depends on body condition, teeth and nutritional needs
Horse prone to weight gain	Appropriate grass hay may be easier to manage

What Is the Best Hay for Horses in Ontario?

There is no single “best” hay for every horse.

The best forage is the one that provides appropriate nutrition for the individual horse while supporting healthy body condition and fitting into the rest of the ration.

For one horse, that may be timothy.

For another, it may be alfalfa.

For another, a timothy/alfalfa blend may make more sense.

The important thing is to match forage quality and nutrient density to the horse—not the other way around.

What Hay Options Are Available at Chatham Farm Feed & Supplies?

For horse owners in Blenheim, Chatham-Kent and Southwestern Ontario, Chatham Farm Feed & Supplies provides access to farm and animal-feed products suitable for local customers.

When selecting horse hay or horse feed, consider your horse's:

• Age

• Workload

• Body condition

• Forage requirements

• Nutritional needs

  
  

Grass Hay Bale – Natural Dried Hay for Cattle, Livestock & Farm Use

If you're unsure which option is appropriate, contact the store to ask about current availability.

Chatham Farm Feed & SuppliesBlenheim, Ontario

Call/Text: 226-774-0933

Call/Text: 519-350-5804

FAQs

Is timothy hay better than alfalfa for horses?

Not necessarily. Timothy and alfalfa have different nutritional profiles. Timothy may suit horses with moderate nutritional requirements, while alfalfa can be useful for horses needing additional protein and energy.

Can horses eat alfalfa every day?

Many horses can safely consume alfalfa as part of a balanced diet, but the appropriate amount depends on the horse's nutritional requirements and the rest of its ration.

Is timothy hay good for easy keeper horses?

Good-quality timothy or another suitable grass hay can be a useful choice for many easy keepers, but actual nutrient content varies. Hay analysis is the best way to understand its nutritional profile.

Can I mix timothy and alfalfa hay?

Yes. A timothy/alfalfa mix can provide characteristics of both grass and legume forage. The nutritional value depends on the proportion and quality of each forage.

Which hay is better for a horse that needs to gain weight?

Alfalfa can provide more protein and energy than many grass hays, making it one option for horses that need additional nutrients. However, weight gain should be managed according to the horse's complete diet and health status.

Is alfalfa safe for senior horses?

Alfalfa can be appropriate for some senior horses, particularly those needing additional nutrients, but senior horses vary considerably. Dental condition, body condition and the complete ration should be considered.

How do I know if horse hay is good quality?

Look for clean, well-cured hay that is free from mould, excessive dust and contamination. Nutritional analysis provides information that appearance alone cannot.

Where can I buy horse feed and hay in Ontario?

Chatham Farm Feed & Supplies serves customers in Blenheim, Chatham-Kent and surrounding Southwestern Ontario communities. Contact the store for current availability of horse-feed and forage products.