Use our free horse feed calculator to find exactly how much hay, grain, and feed your horse needs per day — based on body weight, work level, and life stage. Includes Purina and Nutrena feeding guidelines, a hay calculator, and a grain amount guide.
How Much Should I Feed My Horse Per Day?
Horses should eat 1.5% to 2.5% of their body weight in total feed daily, with forage (hay or pasture) making up the majority.
| Horse Weight | Daily Feed (1.5–2.5% BW) | Minimum Hay | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 500 lb (227 kg) | 7.5–12.5 lb/day | 5–7.5 lb/day | Miniature / pony |
| 800 lb (363 kg) | 12–20 lb/day | 8–12 lb/day | Light horse |
| 1,000 lb (454 kg) | 15–25 lb/day | 10–15 lb/day | Average riding horse |
| 1,200 lb (544 kg) | 18–30 lb/day | 12–18 lb/day | Large breed / draft cross |
| 1,500 lb (680 kg) | 22.5–37.5 lb/day | 15–22 lb/day | Draft horse |
Horse Feed Calculator by Work Level (1,000 lb horse)
| Work Level | Description | Daily Energy (Mcal) | Grain Added |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maintenance | No riding; pasture turnout | 16.7 Mcal | None (forage only) |
| Light work | 1–3 hrs/week easy riding | 20.1 Mcal | 1–2 lb/day |
| Moderate work | 3–5 hrs/week; some training | 23.3 Mcal | 3–5 lb/day |
| Heavy work | 4–5 hrs/week; competition | 27.0 Mcal | 6–8 lb/day |
| Very heavy work | Race training; elite sport | 32+ Mcal | 8–12 lb/day + fat |
Horse Hay Calculator
| Horse Weight | Min Hay (1.5% BW) | Ideal Hay (2% BW) | Bales/Month (50 lb bales) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 500 lb | 7.5 lb/day | 10 lb/day | ~6 bales |
| 800 lb | 12 lb/day | 16 lb/day | ~10 bales |
| 1,000 lb | 15 lb/day | 20 lb/day | ~12 bales |
| 1,200 lb | 18 lb/day | 24 lb/day | ~15 bales |
| 1,500 lb | 22.5 lb/day | 30 lb/day | ~18 bales |
Hay Type Comparison
| Hay Type | DE (Mcal/lb) | Crude Protein | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Timothy grass | 0.86 | 8–10% | Maintenance; easy keepers |
| Orchard grass | 0.90 | 10–12% | Moderate work; most horses |
| Alfalfa (Lucerne) | 1.05 | 18–22% | Performance, lactating mares, growing foals |
| Bermuda grass | 0.82 | 9–11% | Southern US; metabolic horses |
| Mixed grass | 0.85–0.92 | 9–12% | General maintenance |
How Much Grain to Feed a Horse Per Day
Most horses at maintenance do not need grain — quality forage and a ration balancer is sufficient. Rules for safe grain feeding:
- Never feed more than 0.5% of body weight per meal — for a 1,000 lb horse that is 5 lb maximum per feeding
- Split grain into at least 2 meals per day to reduce colic and hindgut acidosis risk
- Introduce new grain gradually over 7–10 days to allow gut flora to adjust
- Always feed forage before grain to slow gastric emptying
Purina Horse Feed Calculator Guide
| Purina Product | Target Horse | Daily Feed Rate (1,000 lb horse) |
|---|---|---|
| Ultium Competition | Performance/competition | 6–12 lb/day |
| Omolene 200 | Active/performance | 5–10 lb/day |
| Omolene 100 | Maintenance to moderate | 3–6 lb/day |
| Strategy GX | Moderate work; general | 3.5–6 lb/day |
| Enrich Plus | Easy keepers / ration balancer | 1–2 lb/day |
Horse Feed Calculator by Life Stage
| Life Stage | Key Needs | Feed Strategy |
|---|---|---|
| Mature maintenance | DE, protein, vitamin E, salt | Quality grass hay + ration balancer |
| Performance horse | DE, electrolytes, vitamin E | Add grain/fat; electrolytes at competition |
| Pregnant mare (last trimester) | Protein, Ca, P, vitamin E | +20–30% feed; increase concentrate |
| Lactating mare | DE, protein, calcium | +50–75% above maintenance |
| Weanling (6–12 months) | Protein, Ca, P, Cu, Zn | 1.5–2% BW; growth formula |
| Senior horse (20+) | Digestible protein, fibre | Senior feed; soaked hay cubes if needed |
| Easy keeper | Minerals without calories | Ration balancer; restricted hay; slow feeder |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much should I feed my horse per day?
Feed 1.5–2.5% of body weight in total feed daily. For a 1,000 lb horse that is 15–25 lb per day, with at least 15 lb from forage. Grain is only needed when energy requirements from work or life stage cannot be met by forage alone.
How much hay does a horse need per day?
A minimum of 1.5% of body weight in hay daily, ideally 2%. For a 1,000 lb horse this is 15–20 lb of hay daily. On good pasture, supplemental hay can be reduced, but horses should always have access to long-stem forage for digestive health.
How much grain should I feed my horse?
Most horses at maintenance need no grain at all. If needed for energy, feed no more than 0.5% of body weight per meal split into at least two feedings daily. For a 1,000 lb horse in moderate work, 3–5 lb of grain daily is typical.
What is the best hay for horses?
High-quality grass hay — timothy, orchard grass, or mixed grass — suits most horses. Alfalfa is excellent for high-energy demands but too rich for easy keepers. Always have hay tested for nutritional content to know exactly what you’re feeding.