Hay may look like the simplest part of a horse's diet, but as University of Guelph professor Dr. Anna Kate Shoveller explains, it's the foundation of equine health and far more complex than it appears.

Horses are designed to graze for 14-18 hours a day, relying on a steady flow of forage to protect the stomach, fuel the hindgut, and support overall wellbeing. Whether we feed hay dry, soaked, or steamed, those decisions matter.

Each method shifts something, from dust levels to nutrients and even taste, and knowing the differences helps us choose what's best for our horses. In a University of Guelph study, Shoveller and her team examined how these treatments change the hay, how horses respond, and why the "right" choice depends entirely on the individual horse.

Fueling the thoroughbred athlete is a very complex and precise world; but one that demands much attention among the many talented horsemen and women within the industry. What is going into the body can be a direct reflection on what can be seen in performance across all levels of racing. Finding the correct balance to maximize energy, muscle strength, and recovery through an organized training schedule is a specialized skill within itself. As grain- based nutrition plays a major role, proper hydration is the foundation that supports every aspect of performance on the track. 

Water affects racehorses on a deep biochemical level- so much that it isn’t just “hydration”, it’s the medium that makes almost every process at the cellular level possible. Without adequate hydration, not even the best feeding program will be as effective or support optimal athletic performance.