Horse hay calculator
A horse needs about 2% of its body weight in forage every day: 1.5% at the very least, and up to 2.5% for hard keepers and horses in work. Pasture counts toward it.
How much hay does my horse need a day?
A 1,000 lb horse needs about 20 lb of hay a day (15 to 25 lb), or about 12 bales of 50 lb a month.
| Per day | 20 lb (2% of body weight) |
|---|---|
| Range | 15 to 25 lb (1.5% to 2.5%) |
| Per month | 600 lb, about 12 bales |
| Per year | 3.7 tons, about 146 bales |
How it is calculated
- Weigh the horse. Use a scale or a weight tape for the body weight in pounds.
- Take 2% of body weight. Multiply the weight by 0.02 for pounds of hay a day; 0.015 is the minimum and 0.025 the most for hard keepers and horses in work.
- Convert to bales. Multiply the daily pounds by 30 for a month, then divide by your bale weight.
Buying or selling horses?
Questions
How much hay does a 1,000 lb horse eat?
About 20 lb a day (2% of body weight), and at least 15 lb. That is roughly 600 lb, or twelve 50 lb bales, a month.
Does pasture replace hay?
Partly. Good grazing supplies much of the forage in season; feed hay to make up the rest and through winter.
Should hay be weighed?
Yes, at least once. Flakes vary widely in weight, so weigh a few to know what a flake of your hay is.
Sources
The figures are standard published ranges; individual animals vary, so confirm with your veterinarian.
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