How much hay does a horse eat per day?

A typical 1,100-lb horse needs 1.5–2.5% of body weight in forage daily, which is 16–28 lbs. The standard recommendation is 2.0% BW (22 lbs/day). Horses in heavy work or cold weather may need more.

Should I feed by weight or by flakes?

Always feed by weight. Flake sizes vary dramatically between bales and hay types. A kitchen scale or luggage scale is inexpensive and eliminates guesswork.

Does this tool account for pasture?

No — this estimates hay-only feeding. If your horses have pasture access, their hay needs will be lower during the grazing season. Use the Pasture Carrying Capacity tool to estimate pasture contribution.

What about grain and concentrates?

This tool calculates forage (hay) only. Most horses at maintenance need forage alone. If your horse needs grain, the forage portion should still be at least 1.5% BW to maintain gut health.

How much does it cost to feed a horse hay for a year?

At $8/bale (50-lb small squares) and 2% BW for a 1,100-lb horse, expect roughly $1,300/year. Prices vary significantly by region, season, and hay quality.

ToolsConductScience tool

NRC-BasedFree in-browser calculator

Hay & Forage Bale Budget.

Calculate daily, monthly, and yearly hay needs with bale counts and cost estimates for your herd.

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Herd & Hay Details

Number of horses

Avg weight (lbs)

Hay (% body weight)

Typically 1.5\u20132.5%

Bale weight (lbs)

Small square: ~50 lbs, round: ~800 lbs

Cost per bale ($)

Leave 0 to skip cost estimate

Months to plan

Hay Budget

Daily hay

44 lbs

All horses combined

Monthly hay

1,339 lbs

Monthly bales

Rounded up

Yearly bales

322

12-month total

Monthly cost

$216

Estimated

Yearly cost

$2,576

12-month total

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 $\times$ 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.

Method

Daily hay per horse = body weight $\times$ (hay% BW / 100). The tool multiplies by horse count, then converts to bale counts using your specified bale weight. Monthly estimates use 30.44 days; yearly uses 365.25 days. Cost projections multiply bale counts by your cost per bale. Based on NRC "Nutrient Requirements of Horses" (6th ed., 2007). All computation runs locally in your browser — no data is uploaded.

Validated

Last validated 2026-04-08. Calculations are designed for planning and documentation support; verify procurement decisions against manufacturer specifications or institutional SOPs.

How to cite

How to Cite

ConductScience Team (2026). Hay & Forage Bale Budget Calculator [Web application]. ConductScience. https://conductscience.com/tools/hay-forage-bale-budget

Forage-First Feeding

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.

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