We're now more than halfway through the meteorological winter. The days are slowly getting longer, but winter often saves some of its coldest weather for this time of year. So it's a good moment to take a closer look at your horse's forage needs and what's currently available on the market.
Forage availability
2025 was a good harvest year, although yields were slightly lower than in 2024. At the moment, hay from both 2024 and 2025 is still available. That brings us to a familiar dilemma:
-
Hay from 2024 is often less attractive and dustier, but generally lower in sugar.
-
Hay from 2025 looks beautiful, but tends to have a slightly higher sugar content.
We're seeing hay stocks from the 2025 harvest running down quickly across Northwestern Europe. For now, we believe we've purchased enough for our customers, but demand has clearly increased over the past few months.
Planning ahead pays off
Now is the perfect time to calculate how much forage you expect to need until the next harvest. That way, you can plan ahead and make informed choices about which batches best suit your situation.
As a rule of thumb, you can allow around 10 kg of hay per day for an average horse. Our advice is to continue feeding hay from the previous harvest until 1 August, before safely switching to the new 2026 harvest. If your horse also has access to grazing, you can of course reduce the amount of hay slightly during that period.
Extra energy in winter
During the colder months, your horse may benefit from a little extra energy. Alfalfa is a great addition to the diet. Simply replacing 2 to 3 kg of your usual forage with alfalfa hay can lower the sugar content while increasing the energy and protein levels of the ration. Ideal for winter!
Immunity and minerals
Besides extra energy, your horse also needs more vitamins and minerals during winter to help maintain its natural defences. Our mineral lick blocks are designed with this in mind. They offer your horse a selection of minerals, trace elements and vitamins, allowing it to choose what it needs.
Especially for this time of year, we've put together a winter bundle containing everything your horse needs during the colder months, along with an attractive bundle discount. Personally, I'm a big fan of the eucalyptus and mint lick block. It helps keep your animal's airways clear and is simply a lovely addition at this time of year.
The cream of the crop
For anyone looking for something truly exceptional, we still have a few bales left from an outstanding batch. Top-quality hay in terms of colour, smell and taste, with less than 8% sugar. A rare find, because we don't come across batches like this very often. Would you like a few more bales? Be quick, because once they're gone, they're gone. You can order this batch here.
Finally
To everyone who pays close attention to their horse's forage and sometimes wonders whether they're getting it right: you're doing a great job. The fact that you care so much about what you feed your animals already shows how important their health is to you. It's perfectly normal to feel unsure sometimes or to try something that doesn't have the effect you hoped for. Sometimes it's a matter of experimenting, adjusting and fine-tuning.
Remember, you can always turn to Hay to You for honest, straightforward advice. We're happy to help you think things through. Winter brings its own challenges: muddy paddocks, frozen water, worn-out pastures… sometimes it's hard work. But don't forget to enjoy it too. And let's face it: who doesn't love seeing photos of horses in the snow!