Choosing the Best Hay for Miniature Horses & Ponies: A Guide to Grass & Alfalfa Forage

For miniature horse and pony owners, few things compare to the comfort of a barn full of fresh hay. But choosing the right mini horse hay isn’t always simple. Many owners feed what they’ve always used, what their veterinarian recommended, or what’s most affordable and available locally. While these factors matter, pony hay feeding requires extra care—especially for easy keeper miniature horses that are prone to weight gain, metabolic issues, and laminitis. Understanding how different hay types affect your mini’s health and support their workload is one of the most important decisions you can make for their long-term wellbeing.

Ultimately you should be choosing your hay based on what is 

1. Best for your horse taking into consideration any health issues, metabolism (hard or easy keeper), and their workload/activity level.  
2. What is available in your area. Some types of hay can be difficult to get in different areas of the U.S., so choosing the best option in your area will be much easier than trying to source your hay from several states away. 

Once you have determined what you want to feed your horse, then purchase the best quality hay, also known as forage, you can afford. If you have multiple horses with differing needs, you may have to buy different types of hay for each horse. For example, lower calorie grass hay for the overweight pony, and alfalfa/orchard mix for your pregnant mini mare or CDE (combined driving event) miniature driving horse in full training for the marathon. 

Each type of hay has its pros and cons. The following is by no means a complete list of every type of hay/forage, but is a simple overview of the most common hay types available in the United States. 

Grass hay is not just grass. There are several different types of grass hay. It is important to ask the hay producer/seller what type of grass is in the baled hay. Let’s dive into the different types of grass hay.

3.5 tons of Alfalfa/Orchard grass mix hay loaded in the barn for the year for the mini horses and ponies.

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Orchard Grass
Orchard grass hay is very common and grown all over the United States. It is considered a high quality grass due to it being higher in protein (10-12%), higher in calorie content and balanced levels of calcium and phosphorus. It is also high in fiber. Horses tend to love it and find it easily digestible due to its soft texture. The downside in feeding orchard grass hay is the higher calorie content for horses that are prone to gain weight easily (aka easy keepers). 
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Timothy
Timothy hay is a popular hay for horses that is primarily grown in the northern states of the U.S. Timothy hay is one of the most digestible of all hays. It is high fiber and low in protein which helps maintain a healthy weight. It may not provide enough energy and nutrients for miniature horses and ponies that are growing, pregnant, lactating or in heavy work. You may need to supplement timothy hay with other types of forage or concentrated feeds to provide the nutrients needed for your horse. Timothy can be more costly and  hard to find depending on where you are located. 

Triticale
Triticale hay is a hybrid of wheat and rye. It can be a suitable forage option for miniature horses, but can have a relatively high non-structural carbohydrate (NSC) content. Triticale does offer a good balance of fiber and moderate protein. It can be a well balanced forage for ponies and minis. Palatability can be an issue for some horses. Be mindful of overfeeding, and pass on this hay for easy keepers that have metabolic issues or issues with laminitis. It is mainly grown in the southern states, California and Midwest, which may make it difficult to find and/or costly if you live in the northern states.

Teff
Teff hay is a popular choice for minis and ponies that are easy keepers, prone to laminitis or have metabolic issues. It is high in fiber and is typically a low NSC forage. Teff also has moderate protein levels and is easily digestible. Some minis and ponies take a little time to take a liking to it, but should eventually find it palatable. You may want to consider a different forage if your pony has a hard time maintaining weight or has extra energy requirements. Teff is grown primarily in the western and southern areas of the U.S. Availability and cost may be an issue depending on where you live.

Fescue
Tall fescue is a cool-season grass common throughout the southeastern United States. Naturally occurring tall fescue can be rough in texture and infected with a fungal endophyte dangerous to pregnant mares. Due to this potential danger, it is NOT RECOMMENDED for pregnant or lactating mares. If the hay is infected with endophytes it can cause issues in pregnant mares, including reduced milk production and potentially cause problems for the foal. If no other hay is available, it's crucial to remove pregnant mares from fescue hay at least 60 days before their due date.  There are some newly developed varieties that have reduced or eliminated toxicity and increased palatability. They offer average protein and can be suitable for miniature horses. However, be sure to research the hay you are considering purchasing to make sure it is safe for your horses. 

Bromegrass
Bromegrass hay is cool-season forage. It is generally highly palatable and digestible for miniature horses and ponies as well as other livestock when properly managed. Its nutritional value can be affected by drought and heat. Some advantages of bromegrass hay are its leafy texture that helps prevent impaction, and a good mineral and protein balance. Protein levels are at least 8%. Bromegrass hay can be an excellent choice if you have multiple species of livestock and want to be able to feed all of them the same forage. Certain varieties are grown along with alfalfa for “alfalfa mix” hay. It is primarily grown across the northern states, and may not be a suitable option for those that live in the south due to available supply and cost.

Bermuda
Bermuda hay is a great option for those miniature horses and ponies needing a low sugar, low starch forage. Bermuda is high in fiber and supports gut health while still low in calories. It provides a good balance of calcium and phosphorus, but can be low in other essential minerals such as copper, selenium, zinc and iodine. Horses eating this hay may require supplements or a hay balancer. This forage is best for easy keepers: ponies, miniature horses, senior horses, and equines with metabolic conditions. An additional consideration is that Bermuda is lower in protein. You will find that this forage is not sufficient for performance horses, growing horses, and pregnant or lactating mares. In that case, it could be mixed with alfalfa to provide a more balanced diet to meet your horse's needs. Bermuda hay is grown in the southern states, so availability and cost may be significant for those who reside in the northern states.

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Understanding how different hay types affect your mini’s health and support their workload is one of the most important decisions you can make for their long-term wellbeing.

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Another type of equine forage is legume hay. Alfalfa is the primary form of legume hay fed to horses. There are other varieties, however they are not commonly fed or suitable for horses.

Alfalfa
Alfalfa is a nutrient dense forage that is rich in protein (17% or more), calcium and vitamin A which supports muscle and growth. It is a great option for performance horses, pregnant/lactating mares, growing and underweight horses. It is often lower in sugar/starch than grass hay. It is highly palatable to horses making it a good choice for picky eaters. The high calcium content may help buffer stomach acid and can be beneficial for horses with or prone to gastric ulcers. Easy keepers may struggle with weight management so you will need to monitor weight changes closely if you decide to feed alfalfa. You may also need to supplement phosphorus due to the high calcium content. Alfalfa is widely available throughout the United States.

Alfalfa Mix
Alfalfa is commonly mixed with grass hay. Alfalfa mix can provide the best of both types of forage. It provides the benefits of alfalfa, and the benefits of the grass variety is grown alongside it. These mixes are variable, so be sure to ask your supplier what type of grass is in the hay if not listed and the approximate percentages of each (i.e. 50/50, 75/25, 80/20, etc.). 

Choosing the right hay for your miniature horse or pony is one of the most important nutrition decisions you will make each year. The best mini horse hay depends on your horse’s metabolism, workload, and any health concerns such as laminitis or metabolic disease. Whether you are managing an easy keeper miniature horse, feeding a performance pony, or supporting a pregnant mare, understanding forage options allows you to make confident, informed choices. Take the time to evaluate local availability, inspect hay quality, and consider testing forage when possible. With the right hay, you can support healthy weight, proper digestion, and long-term soundness in your miniature horse.

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