Why Kentucky Equine Research Trusts Anderson Premium Timothy Hay
Inside Kentucky Equine Research
Kentucky Equine Research (KER) was founded in 1988 as an equine nutrition and exercise physiology company with one clear purpose: to conduct meaningful research and apply those findings in the real world. For more than 37 years, KER has been at the forefront of equine nutrition science, studying horses at every stage of life—from growing foals and pregnant mares to performance horses and aging athletes.
KER operates a 155-acre research facility in central Kentucky and maintains a controlled herd of approximately 30 horses used exclusively for research. This level of control allows their team to study nutrition, performance, and health outcomes with precision and consistency.
Why Consistent Hay Matters in Research
According to KER founder Dr. Joe Pagan, one of the biggest challenges in equine research is controlling variables—and forage quality is one of the most important variables of all.
“We do a lot of research where we want our hay to be really consistent,” Dr. Pagan explains. “We want to know we’re getting the same hay day in and day out, and that makes our research a lot more consistent.”
In research settings, even small changes in forage can influence digestion, intake, performance, and metabolic response. That’s why forage consistency isn’t just helpful—it’s essential.
Why KER Chose Anderson Hay
Early on, KER began working with feed manufacturers around the world. When it came time to select a forage partner, they approached Anderson Hay with a specific need: reliable, high-quality timothy hay that could be trusted across every study.
“We approached the Anderson folks and said, ‘We want our hay to be really consistent,’” says Dr. Pagan. “We started working with Anderson to make them our official research forage.”
Today, Anderson Premium Timothy Hay is used in every research project conducted at KER—whether horses are fed free-choice or measured, controlled rations.
What Makes Anderson Timothy Hay Different
For KER, consistency goes beyond nutrient analysis—it also includes physical handling and ease of feeding.
“The Anderson hay flakes off really nice and is easy to put into the hay net,” Dr. Ashley Fowler notes. “It’s really convenient for us to use that type of hay in our studies.”
That flake integrity and uniformity matter when researchers need to feed precise amounts of hay, monitor intake, and minimize waste. It’s the result of Anderson’s focus on quality from the field forward—harvest timing, handling, testing, and packaging all play a role.
From Research Facility to Your Barn
What makes this partnership especially meaningful is that the same hay used in KER’s controlled research environment is available to horse owners everywhere.
“One of the most important things about KER as a research group is collaboration,” says Dr. Pagan. “You have to pick the right partner. You have to pick one that is a professional at what they do—and that’s Anderson.”
Whether you’re feeding a backyard companion, a performance horse, or managing horses with specific nutritional needs, the forage principles are the same. Consistent, high-quality hay supports digestive health, metabolic balance, and overall well-being.
Find Anderson Premium Timothy Hay Near You
If you want to feed the same premium timothy hay trusted by one of the world’s leading equine research organizations, find Anderson Hay at a retailer near you and experience the difference for yourself.
