Executive Summary
Locally sourced hay and feed are vital for sustainable horse feeding, lowering carbon footprint emissions, preserving equine nutrition, and supporting rural economies. A 20-ton horse hay shipment hauled 600 miles produces ~1.94 t CO₂, but within 100 miles only ~0.32 t, so a barn needing 20 shipments yearly saves ~32 t CO₂—equal to removing seven cars from the road (EDF/EPA SmartWay, n.d.). In 2024, U.S. alfalfa hay and grass hay production totaled ~122.5 M tons (Alfalfa: 49.8 M, Other hay: 72.6 M) (USDA NASS, 2025a; 2025b; Brownfield Ag News, 2025), yet hay quality analysis shows losses up to 80% of β-carotene during curing and ~7% per month in storage (TheHorse.com, n.d.), undermining vitamin A essential for vision, reproduction, and equine digestive health. Fresher, local hay retains nutrients and lowers mold risks from transport through proper hay moisture content management. Economically, every local dollar spent on local feed suppliers generates up to 1.7× more activity than imports, while also improving resilience, since barns sourcing regionally avoided shortages and price hikes seen during supply chain disruptions. In short, sustainable feeding practices such as regional hay sourcing cut emissions, protect horse health, and build stronger, more stable sustainable equine care operations.
Introduction
Rising feed costs, fragile supply chains, and environmental concerns are reshaping sustainable horse feeding. Forage is essential, yet horse hay hauled long distances loses quality, risks contamination, and raises costs. Hay quality analysis shows that hay can lose up to 80% of β-carotene during curing and ~7% monthly in storage, reducing vitamin A vital for vision, reproduction, and immunity (TheHorse.com, n.d.). Transport adds emissions: a 20-ton load over 600 miles emits ~1.94 t CO₂, versus ~0.32 t within 100 miles; with 20 shipments annually, barns save ~32 t CO₂, equal to removing seven cars (EDF/EPA SmartWay, n.d.). In 2024, U.S. hay production reached ~122.5 M tons (Alfalfa: 49.8 M, Other hay: 72.6 M) (USDA NASS, 2025a; 2025b; Brownfield Ag News, 2025). Supply is abundant—the opportunity lies in sourcing local hay from local feed suppliers to ensure fresher nutrition, cut emissions through carbon footprint reduction, and support regional farming. Choosing sustainable feeding practices and prioritizing equine nutrition not only boosts equine digestive health but also strengthens sustainable equine care and overall horse feed sustainability.
Advantages of Choosing Local Hay & Feed
Feed: Infographic comparing CO₂ emission savings from local versus long-haul hay — Alt: “Visual comparison of carbon emissions between local hay sourcing and imported hay transport.”
Sourcing local hay enhances sustainable horse feeding by providing environmental, economic, and nutritional benefits. A 20-ton load transported 600 miles emits ~1.94 t CO₂ versus ~0.32 t within 100 miles, demonstrating CO₂ savings from local feed sourcing and carbon footprint reduction (EDF/EPA SmartWay, n.d.). Economically, barns save on freight while supporting local feed suppliers and local farming networks, boosting livestock feed sustainability. With U.S. hay production at ~122.5 M tons in 2024 (Alfalfa: 49.8 M, Other hay: 72.6 M), supply is abundant—the key is distance. Hay quality analysis shows horse hay loses up to 80% of β-carotene during curing and ~7% monthly in storage, reducing vitamin A essential for vision, reproduction, and immunity. Long transport increases hay moisture and mold risks and mycotoxin exposure. Regional hay sourcing ensures fresher, nutrient-rich forage, supporting equine nutrition, equine digestive health, and sustainable equine care, while promoting climate-smart feeding.
Identifying and Securing Sustainable Local Sources
Local hay typically comes from within 50–150 miles for small squares and up to 200 miles for bulk, but sustainable horse feeding relies on both proximity and quality. Key forage testing metrics include ADF for digestibility, NDF for intake, Crude Protein (CP) for energy, and NSC ≤10–12% for horses with metabolic sensitivities. NIRS provides rapid results, while wet chemistry remains the gold standard in hay quality analysis. Hay moisture content should be 10–15% to prevent mold, dust, or combustion (hay moisture and mold prevention). Beyond lab values, barns should assess curing, storage, and traceability. Contracts with local feed suppliers should set standards, require COAs, and allow rejection of off-spec lots. Long-term agreements or co-ops strengthen a resilient feed supply, support equine nutrition, equine digestive health, sustainable feeding, and overall horse feed sustainability through climate-smart feeding.
Real-World Applications and Lessons Learned
Learned: Stable worker inspecting hay bales — Alt: “Equine professional checking hay moisture and texture to ensure safe, high-quality feed.”
Case studies show that local hay sourcing enhances sustainable horse feeding and horse feed sustainability. Barns shifting from long-haul shipments to nearby hay suppliers achieved lower emissions (carbon footprint reduction) and fewer mold-related feed rejections. Initial challenges like inconsistent bale moisture and variable forage quality were overcome through systematic forage testing (NIRS for rapid checks and wet chemistry for accuracy), long-term contracts with local feed suppliers, and improved on-site storage. Investments in ventilated barns, humidity control, and raised flooring reduced spoilage, with research showing that maintaining hay moisture content at 10–15% (hay moisture and mold prevention) can prevent up to 25% of storage losses annually. The outcomes included healthier horses, improved equine nutrition and equine digestive health, more consistent feed, and stable costs. Industry-wide, cooperative buying groups, testing protocols, and modern storage practices promote sustainable feeding, sustainable equine care, and a resilient feed supply through climate-smart feeding.
Balancing Sustainability with Horse Health and Performance
Sustainability must always protect equine health. Forage transitions should occur gradually over 7–14 days to let the hindgut microbiota adapt (KER/TheHorse, n.d.). Horses with laminitis, insulin resistance, or metabolic syndrome require forage testing to keep NSC ≤10–12% (Rutgers NJAES, n.d.); in some cases, soaking hay for 30–60 minutes can lower soluble carbohydrates by up to 30%, though it may also leach minerals like sodium and potassium, requiring supplementation. Performance horses need higher digestible energy and crude protein, while excessive ADF or NDF can limit intake and reduce condition. With forage testing, hay management, and veterinary oversight, barns can adopt sustainable practices without compromising—and often improving—equine health, welfare, and performance.
Policy Outlook and Emerging Innovations
Stricter federal trucking emission standards will raise long-haul freight costs by 5–15%, reinforcing the value of local hay and supporting sustainable horse feeding and horse feed sustainability. This approach also increases resilience against climate disruptions like droughts and floods affecting equine forage markets. Portable NIRS devices allow barns to perform forage testing on-site with near-lab accuracy, measuring ADF, NDF, CP, and NSC (how to test hay for horses), with potential for app-based databases to track regional hay quality. Few studies compare local hay vs imported hay, emphasizing the need for collaborative trials among universities, veterinarians, and agricultural agencies to advance sustainable feeding, sustainable equine care, and equine nutrition.
Integrating Sustainability into Daily Barn Management
Sourcing local hay is key to sustainable horse feeding. Improved storage reduces 10–25% forage loss (hay moisture and mold prevention), while recycling or composting bedding supports sustainable equine care. Water-saving systems like rainwater harvesting and automatic trough shut-offs cut usage 20–40%, and solar, wind, or eco-conscious barn designs with better ventilation, natural light, and insulation lower costs and emissions (carbon footprint reduction). Paired with regional hay sourcing and local feed suppliers, these practices enhance equine nutrition, equine digestive health, horse feed sustainability, and overall sustainable feeding, creating a resilient feed supply and demonstrating environmental accountability.
Conclusion
Sourcing local hay and horse feed supports sustainable horse feeding, sustainable feeding, and barn resilience. A 20-ton load within 100 miles vs. 600 saves ~32 t CO₂/year, highlighting CO₂ savings from local feed sourcing and carbon footprint reduction (EDF/EPA SmartWay, 2020). Fresher horse hay preserves nutrients—losing up to 80% of β-carotene during curing and ~7% monthly in storage (TheHorse.com, 2021)—essential for equine nutrition, vision, reproduction, and immunity. Partnering with local feed suppliers and regional hay sourcing strengthens resilient feed supply and livestock feed sustainability. Backed by forage testing, COAs, and veterinary oversight, local hay ensures horse feed sustainability, nutrition, and welfare.
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)
Q1:How do I know if local hay is good quality?
A:Test for ADF, NDF, CP, and NSC ≤10–12% with forage testing (how to test hay for horses) (Rutgers NJAES, 2023). Maintain hay moisture content at 10–15% (hay moisture and mold prevention) to prevent mold or combustion (UMN Extension, 2022). Request a COA and check storage as part of hay quality analysis for horse hay and horse feed.
Q2:Can switching to local hay improve my horse’s health?
A:Yes. Horse hay loses up to 80% of β-carotene during curing and ~7% monthly in storage (TheHorse.com, 2021); fresher local hay preserves vitamin A crucial for equine nutrition, equine digestive health, and immunity, while reducing mold and dust, supporting sustainable equine care and sustainable horse feeding practices.
Q3:What are the environmental benefits of choosing local feed?
A:20-ton load hauled 600 miles emits ~1.94 t CO₂ vs. ~0.32 t within 100 miles, providing CO₂ savings from local feed sourcing and carbon footprint reduction; with 20 shipments/year, barns save ~32 t CO₂—equal to removing seven cars (EDF/EPA SmartWay, 2020). Local sourcing also supports local feed suppliers, regional farming economies, strengthens livestock feed sustainability, ensures a resilient feed supply, and aligns with sustainable feeding and horse feed sustainability practices (USDA NASS, 2025a; Brownfield Ag News, 2025).
Call-to-Action (CTA)
Source local hay and horse feed from trusted local feed suppliers with forage testing (ADF, NDF, CP, NSC ≤10–12%) and mycotoxin testing in horse feed. Use regional hay sourcing or cooperative groups to strengthen resilient feed supply and reduce costs. Choosing 20 shipments within 100 vs. 600 miles saves ~32 t CO₂/year, showing CO₂ savings from local feed sourcing and carbon footprint reduction (EDF/EPA SmartWay, 2020). These steps support sustainable horse feeding, equine nutrition, equine digestive health, horse feed sustainability, and sustainable equine care.
References
- Brownfield Ag News. (2025, January). U.S. hay totals.
- Drovers/UMN. (n.d.). Fire risk in hay storage. Drovers/University of Minnesota Extension.
- EDF/EPA SmartWay. (n.d.). Freight emission factors. Environmental Defense Fund & U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
- KER/TheHorse. (n.d.). Transitioning diets. Kentucky Equine Research/TheHorse.com.
- Rutgers NJAES. (n.d.). NSC guidelines for horses. Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station.
- TheHorse.com. (n.d.). Nutrient loss in stored hay. The Horse Media Group.
- UMN Extension. (n.d.). Hay moisture and storage. University of Minnesota Extension.
- USDA NASS. (2025a, January). Crop production 2024 summary. U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Agricultural Statistics Service.
- USDA NASS. (2025b, February). Crop values 2024 summary. U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Agricultural Statistics Service.
- FDA, Purdue, Iowa State, OMAFRA, Delaware DOA. (n.d.). Mycotoxin advisories for equine feed.
