Understanding the Various Forms of Premium Standlee Horse and Livestock Feed

August 7, 2025

When it comes to feeding premium forage to your horses, cattle, or other livestock, one size doesn’t fit all. That’s why Standlee offers a variety of forage formats - each designed to meet different nutritional needs, feeding routines, and management styles.

Whether you're feeding a performance horse, senior equine, dairy goat, or backyard cattle, choosing the right form of high-quality hay can make a difference in your animal’s health, digestion, and performance.

Why Form of Forage Matters

Not all animals eat the same way, or have the same dietary needs. From chewing ability to gut function and storage convenience, the form of forage you choose plays a major role in how nutrients are delivered and utilized.

Standlee offers four primary feed formats for horses and livestock:

• Pellets
• Cubes
• Chopped forage
• Baled

Each one is made from sun-cured, nutrient-rich forages - like alfalfa, timothy grass, or orchard grass - grown in the ideal climate of southern Idaho. Every product is carefully harvested, tested, and packaged for consistent quality in every bag or bale.

Understanding Feed Forms for Horses and Livestock

Pellets

Best for: Horses or livestock with dental issues, picky eaters, or supplement-mixing.

Standlee pellets are made from ground forage that’s been compressed into uniform, bite-sized pieces. They’re easy to measure, store, and feed.

• Great for mixing with grain or supplements
• Low in dust and mess
• Ideal for horses with poor teeth or chewing issues
• Can be soaked to aid digestion and hydration
• Consistent nutrition in every scoop

Popular option: Standlee Alfalfa Pellets – high protein and calcium for performance horses and lactating livestock.

Cubes

Best for: Horses needing longer chew time or controlled feeding and less waste.

Forage cubes offer a dense, manageable alternative to traditional hay, with the bonus of less waste and easy storage.

• Encourages chewing, supports digestion
• Mimics long-stem hay
• Easy to handle and feed
• Can be fed dry or soaked based on your animal’s needs
• Low dust and dependable quality

Pro tip: Soaking forage cubes before feeding can help with hydration and reduce the risk of choke.

Chopped

Best for: Senior horses, those with poor dentition.

Standlee chopped forage contains consistent particle lengths to mimic natural grazing behavior, promote saliva production, and support gut motility.

• Long fiber length helps maintain digestive health
• Great for mixing with grain or top-dressing
• Easy to chew for aging horses
• Consistent texture and low dust

Compressed Bales

Best for: On-the-go feeding or limited storage space.

Standlee offers traditional long-stem hay in the form of a compressed bale. Compressed bales deliver all the benefits of traditional hay in a more compact and convenient format.

• Natural fiber length supports chewing and gut motility
• Visually inspectable for quality and freshness
• Easier to transport and store
• Feed by weight, not by flake or volume

Ideal for trailering, horse shows, or feed storage situations where you need to maximize your space.

Which Forage Form is Right for Your Horse or Livestock

Whether you're caring for a hard-working show horse, a growing calf, or a senior gelding with missing teeth, Standlee has a forage product to support your animal’s needs.

If you’re not sure where to start, consult your veterinarian or speak with a Standlee nutrition expert to tailor the best feeding plan for your barn.