Calculate daily, monthly, and yearly hay needs with bale counts and cost estimates for your herd.
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Load example hay & forage bale budget data to see the full workflow
Typically 1.5\u20132.5%
Small square: ~50 lbs, round: ~800 lbs
Leave 0 to skip cost estimate
Based on NRC "Nutrient Requirements of Horses" (6th ed., 2007). Actual hay consumption varies with hay quality, weather, activity level, and access to pasture. Add 10\u201315% for hay waste.
How It Works
The calculator uses body-weight-based feeding rates recommended by the NRC. Daily hay per horse equals body weight multiplied by hay percentage divided by 100. For a 1,100-lb horse at 2.0% BW: 1,100 0.02 = 22 lbs/day. Bale count equals total hay (lbs) divided by bale weight (lbs), rounded up. Common bale weights: small square 40–60 lbs, large square (3-string) 100–140 lbs, round bale (4×4) 400–600 lbs, round bale (5×5) 800–1,200 lbs. Add 10–15% to your total for hay waste (trampling, soiling, storage losses).
Hay Buying Tips
Buy in bulk at harvest time (June–August in most regions) for lowest prices. Test hay quality since protein, ADF/NDF, and mineral content affect feeding rates. Store hay off the ground on pallets, covered, with good airflow. First-cutting hay is coarser while second-cutting is leafier and higher protein. Round bales left outside can lose 25–40% to weather damage. Budget 10–15% overage for waste and unexpected needs. Consider locking in prices with a hay contract for the season.
The equine digestive system evolved for continuous forage intake. Horses produce stomach acid 24/7, and long gaps without forage increase the risk of gastric ulcers. The NRC recommends a minimum of 1.0% body weight in long-stem forage daily, with 1.5–2.5% as the typical range. Hay is the primary forage source when pasture is limited or unavailable, making accurate budgeting essential for both health and cost management.
