5 Differences Between 1st Cut and 2nd Cut Timothy Hay Which Is Better for Your Horse?

Walk into any Alberta feed store, or browse an online hay listing.You will see two options: 1st cut timothy hay and 2nd cut timothy hay. Both look like hay. Both smell like hay. So what's the difference between 1st and 2nd cut timothy hay and does it even matter for your horse?

The short answer: yes, it matters quite a bit. The cut affects everything from protein levels and caloric density to texture, palatability, and price. Feeding the wrong cut to the wrong horse can mean unnecessary weight gain, poor performance, or wasted money.

In this guide, we'll break down the 5 key differences so you can make the right call every time.

What Is Timothy Hay And Why Do Horse Owners Love It?

Timothy hay is a perennial grass that grows across Alberta and the Canadian Prairies. It is often seen as the gold standard for horse hay.Here why Alberta horse owners trust it:

·       Moderate protein levels not too rich, not too lean

·       Low NSC (non-structural carbohydrates) safe for horses with metabolic concerns

·       Highly digestible fibre excellent for gut health and motility

·       Palatable most horses love the smell and taste

·       Safe for almost all horses easy keepers, seniors, metabolic horses, and performance horses alike

What makes timothy hay slightly more complicated is that it comes in different "cuts" referring to which harvest of the season the hay came from. The most common are 1st cut and 2nd cut, and the differences between them are significant enough to affect your horse's health and body condition.

At Horse Creek Hay & Feed, every bale of timothy hay we sell comes with a full nutritional analysis so you always know exactly what you're feeding. Browse our timothy hay collection here.

Benefits of First Cutting Hay

First cutting timothy hay is harvested in late spring to early summer typically June here in Alberta. It's the first time the field is cut after winter, and the grass is more mature at the time of harvest, which gives 1st cut its distinctive characteristics.

What makes 1st cut timothy hay stand out:

·       Higher fibre content — more coarse stems from the mature plant, which is great for hindgut fermentation and digestive health

·       Lower protein — typically 8–10%, making it ideal for horses that don't need high energy intake

·       Lower caloric density — less energy per pound, which is exactly what easy keepers need

·       Larger bale size, lower cost — first cuts generally yield more volume per field, making them more affordable per pound

·       Coarser texture — takes longer to chew, which is actually beneficial for slowing down fast eaters and promoting natural grazing behavior

1st cut timothy hay is the right choice for:

1.     Easy keepers and overweight horses who need forage volume without extra calories

2.     Horses with insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, or laminitis risk

3.     Idle horses on light work with no elevated nutritional demands

4.     Larger herds where cost management matters

5.     Horses on good pasture who just need a hay top-up

The one downside of 1st cut timothy hay is lower nutrient density horses with higher nutritional demands may need a quality feed supplement alongside it to meet their needs. Shop our 2026 Horse Creek Hay East Timothy hay here.

Benefits of Second Cutting Hay

Second cutting timothy hay is harvested in late summer typically August in Alberta. By the second harvest, the grass has regrown from the roots and is younger and more nutrient-dense at the time of cutting. This gives 2nd cut timothy hay a very different nutritional profile from 1st cut.

What makes 2nd cut timothy hay stand out:

·       Higher protein — typically 10–14%, providing more amino acids for muscle development and body condition

·       Higher energy density — more calories per pound, great for horses that need to gain or maintain weight

·       Softer, leafier texture — more palatable and easier to chew; most horses prefer 2nd cut over 1st cut

·       Greater digestibility — younger plant cells are broken down more efficiently in the hindgut

·       Smaller bales but denser nutrition — you get more nutrition per pound even if the bale is smaller

2nd cut timothy hay is the right choice for:

1.     Performance horses and horses in regular training or competition

2.     Senior horses with worn or missing teeth who struggle with coarse hay

3.     Underweight horses or hard keepers struggling to hold body condition

4.     Pregnant or nursing mares with elevated protein and energy needs

5.     Horses coming out of a hard Alberta winter needing to rebuild weight and muscle

The main downside of 2nd cut timothy hay is cost it's priced at a premium compared to 1st cut due to higher nutritional value.

And for easy keepers, the extra calories can cause unwanted weight gain. Always match the cut to your horse actual needs. Shop our Bryant 2nd Cut Timothy Hay here.

The 5 Key Differences Between 1st and 2nd Cut Timothy Hay

Here's a side-by-side breakdown of the difference between 1st and 2nd cut timothy hay:

Factor	1st Cut Timothy Hay	2nd Cut Timothy Hay
Harvest Time	Late spring / June	Late summer / August
Protein Level	Lower — 8 to 10%	Higher — 10 to 14%
Texture	Coarser, more stem	Softer, leafier
Caloric Density	Lower calories	Higher calories
Price	More affordable	Premium priced

 

Difference #1 — Protein & Nutrient Density

1st cut timothy hay contains 8–10% protein enough for idle and maintenance-level horses, but not enough for horses under physical stress. 

2nd cut timothy hay comes in at 10–14% protein, providing the amino acids needed for muscle repair, growth, and sustained energy output.

Overfeeding protein to idle horses can put unnecessary strain on the kidneys; underfeeding protein to hard-working horses hurts performance and recovery.

Difference #2 — Texture & Palatability

First cut is coarser the plant is more mature at harvest, so stems are thicker and less leafy. Second cut is noticeably softer and leafier, which makes it far more palatable.

In fact, most horses given the choice will prefer 2nd cut timothy hay every time. This matters especially for senior horses and horses recovering from illness who may need encouragement to eat.

Difference #3 — Fibre Content & Gut Health

First cut coarser stems actually provide more effective fibre for hindgut fermentation — the process that keeps your horse's digestive system healthy and moving.

Horses need adequate fibre to maintain gut motility and prevent colic, especially during Alberta winters when activity slows.

Second cut still provides good fibre, but the balance shifts toward more digestible nutrients and less coarse structural fibre.

Difference #4 — Caloric Density & Weight Management

This is often the deciding factor. 1st cut timothy hay is the go-to for easy keepers — horses that tend to gain weight easily and are at risk of obesity-related conditions like laminitis.

2nd cut timothy hay is for horses that burn more calories than they consume — performance horses, seniors losing condition, or hard keepers that always seem thin no matter how much they eat.

Difference #5 — Price & Value

First cut yields more volume per field per harvest, which translates to lower cost per bale. If you're feeding a large herd and nutrition demands are modest, 1st cut is the economical choice.

Second cut commands a premium price — but for horses with elevated needs, the investment pays off in better body condition, stronger performance, and fewer costly health issues down the road.

You can also check out that how much hay an horse eat in a day?

Is 1st or 2nd Cut Hay Better for Horses?

There's no single right answer the best cut depends entirely on your individual horse. Here's a quick framework to guide your decision:

Choose 1st cut timothy hay if your horse:

·       Is an easy keeper or tends to gain weight quickly

·       Has metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, or a history of laminitis

·       Is at maintenance with a light workload

·       Is part of a larger herd where cost management is a priority

Choose 2nd cut timothy hay if your horse:

1.     Is a hard keeper struggling to maintain weight

2.     Is a senior horse needing softer, more digestible hay

3.     Is in regular training, competing, or doing heavy work

4.     Is a pregnant or nursing mare

5.     Is coming off a tough Alberta winter and needs to rebuild condition

Many Alberta horse owners actually feed a blend of both using 1st cut as the base for forage volume and fibre, then adding a portion of 2nd cut to boost nutrition for horses that need it. It's a cost-effective strategy that gives you the best of both cuts.

Is Second Cut Timothy Hay Good for Horses?

Absolutely — 2nd cut timothy hay is excellent for horses, and many Alberta horse owners consider it the premium choice for quality. Its higher protein, softer texture, and greater digestibility make it ideal for horses with elevated nutritional demands.

The only caution: don't feed 2nd cut timothy hay free-choice to easy keepers or metabolic horses. The extra calories and slightly higher NSC compared to 1st cut can lead to weight gain and increased laminitis risk in susceptible horses.

The key is always matching the cut to your horse's body condition and workload and knowing what's actually in your hay through a proper nutritional analysis.

At Horse Creek Hay & Feed, every bale we carry comes with a full hay analysis protein, NSC, energy values, and more so you're never guessing what you're putting in front of your horse.

What About 3rd Cutting Timothy Hay?

Third cut timothy hay is harvested in fall — less common here in Alberta due to our shorter growing season. When it is available, 3rd cut is even higher in protein and softer in texture than 2nd cut, making it very rich feed.

For most horses, 3rd cut is too rich to use as a sole hay source. It's best used as a supplement or for horses with very high energy needs racehorses, heavily pregnant mares, or horses in intense competition.

Feeding 3rd cut as the primary hay to an average pleasure horse can easily result in excess weight gain or digestive upset.

In Alberta's climate, 3rd cut timothy hay is rare and commands premium pricing when available. The majority of Alberta horse owners rely on 1st and 2nd cut for their primary hay supply throughout the year.

How To Choose Between 1st and 2nd Cutting Timothy Hay

Not sure which cut is right for your horse? Follow this simple 5-step framework:

Step 1 — Know Your Horse's Body Condition Score (BCS)

Aim for a score of 4–6 out of 9 on the Henneke scale. If your horse is above 6, lean toward 1st cut timothy hay. If they're below 4, 2nd cut timothy hay will help them regain condition.

Step 2 — Assess Their Workload Honestly

Idle horses and light trail riders don't need the extra protein and energy of 2nd cut. Performance horses, horses in regular training, or horses doing heavy ranch work do. Match the feed to the actual work being done, not the work you plan to do.

Step 3 — Check for Metabolic Issues

Easy keepers, horses with a history of laminitis, and horses diagnosed with insulin resistance or equine metabolic syndrome (EMS) should generally stay on 1st cut timothy hay with its lower NSC and caloric content.

Step 4 — Always Ask for a Hay Analysis

Don't judge hay by colour alone. NSC, protein, energy density, and calcium-to-phosphorus ratios tell the real story. Two bales can look identical and have completely different nutritional profiles. A hay analysis removes the guesswork and every bale at Horse Creek Hay & Feed comes with one.

Step 5 — Consider Blending Both Cuts

When in doubt, mix. Many experienced Alberta horse owners blend 1st cut for its fibre and affordability with a portion of 2nd cut for added nutrition. It's a flexible approach that lets you dial in the right balance for each horse.

Still not sure which cut is right for your horse? Contact us at Horse Creek Hay & Feed we're happy to help you choose based on your horse's specific needs.

Shop 1st and 2nd Cut Timothy Hay in Alberta at Horse Creek Hay & Feed

Whether your horse needs the steady fibre of 1st cut timothy hay or the richer nutrition of 2nd cut timothy hay, the most important thing is knowing what's actually in your bale. At Horse Creek Hay & Feed, every hay we sell comes with a full nutritional analysis so you're never feeding blind.

We carry both 1st and 2nd cut timothy hay options for the 2026 season, with delivery available across Rocky View County and surrounding Alberta communities. Order ahead quality Alberta hay sells out fast once summer approaches. Shop Our Timothy Hay Collection at Horse Creek Hay & Feed