Chaff & Chop for Horses

Chaff and chop for horses - your questions answered

Are chaff and chop the same thing?

In everyday use, yes - chaff, chop and chopped forage all describe forage cut short for easy eating. Traditionally, though, chaff was the leftover straw from cereal crops. We say chop because every Simple System chop is a forage crop grown specifically for horses, then dried and cut - never a cereal by-product, and always free from molasses and additives.

Do you make an alfalfa chaff - or an alfalfa-free chaff?

Both. Lucie Chop is pure alfalfa (lucerne) with no molasses, and Organic Lucie Stalks are our certified organic alfalfa option. For horses that do better without alfalfa, Timothy Chop is a pure grass chaff made from Timothy grass alone.

Is there a low sugar or low calorie chaff?

Timothy Chop is made from mature-harvested Timothy grass, which is naturally lower in sugar, and Organic Lucie Stalks provide plenty of chew for very few calories. Full analysis is published on every product page, so you can compare sugar and starch levels before you choose.

Which chop suits a horse prone to gastric ulcers?

Forage-based feeding that keeps horses chewing is widely recommended for ulcer-prone horses, and all our chops are free from cereals and molasses. Our guides on ulcers in horses and lucerne for ulcer-prone horses explain what to look for in more detail.

Can chopped forage replace hay?

Chops are simply another form of forage, so they can partner hay or form part of a hay replacement, and a soft short chop is far easier to manage than long-stem hay for older horses or those with poor teeth. See our hay replacers for feeds designed to do the whole job.

How much chop should I feed?

That depends on the job it is doing: as a forage, chops can form a generous part of the daily ration; as a base for feeds, a smaller amount slows eating and extends chew time. Introduce any new feed gradually over a week, and our Feed Line team are always happy to build a plan around your horse.