Ask the Nutritionist: Dr. Getty's Forum for Equine Nutrition
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Dr. Getty
Hi 10Walker,
Hay cubes can be substituted for hay, pound for pound. And they can be fed free-choice, just like hay. I do recommend breaking them into small pieces since they are very dry and require a lot of chewing. They should be fed on the ground in a ground feeder, or on grass (not dirt) and water should be close by.
They can be soaked and as long as they will not freeze, they can be left for hours. In the summer, soaking can attract bacteria and insects, so it best to not leave moistened cubes around for more than a few hours.
The amount depends on how much hay your horses are getting. Free choice hay is the foundation for any horse's health, so if this is not available, hay cubes will work well. If your horse receives grass hay, you can offer alfalfa cubes to boost the overall protein quality of his diet. If he already consumes alfalfa hay, go with a timothy or timothy/alfalfa mixed cube.
Thanks for asking!
Dr. Getty 
Where are you from? Bayfield, CO