A: Nutrient-wise, alfalfa hay and alfalfa pellets are similar in content. The main difference between the two is the horse’s chew time when eating them. A horse will consume alfalfa pellets much faster than baled alfalfa. Because of this quicker chew time, stabled horses might develop stall vices from boredom. It also means the horse might also experience more time between meals, which is not ideal for digestive health.

Certain situations might require a pelleted forage source, such as senior horses with poor teeth who can no longer eat long-stemmed forage or times of drought or hay shortage.   However, when available, the long-stemmed forage is always the better, healthier option for horses.