What Is the Horse Feed Calculator?
This calculator estimates how much hay (forage) and grain a horse should eat each day based on its body weight. The widely used rule of thumb is that a horse needs around 2% of its body weight in dry forage per day. A 1,000 lb horse therefore needs roughly 20 lb of hay daily. Forage should be the foundation of every horse's diet, with grain or concentrate added only when extra energy is required.
How to Use It
Enter your horse's body weight in pounds. Adjust the forage percentage (most horses do well between 1.5% and 2.5%) and add a grain/concentrate percentage if your horse is in hard work or needs more calories. The calculator returns daily forage, grain, and total feed in pounds.
The Formula Explained
Forage (lb) = Body Weight (lb) × (Forage % ÷ 100). Grain is calculated the same way with its own percentage. Total feed is simply forage plus grain. Always weigh hay rather than feeding by flake count, since flake weight varies widely.
$$\text{Forage} = \text{Body Weight (lb)} \times \frac{\text{Forage \%}}{100}$$
$$\text{Total Feed} = \text{Forage} + \text{Grain}$$
Worked Example
For an 1,100 lb horse at 2% forage and 0.5% grain: forage = \(1{,}100 \times 0.02 = 22\) lb; grain = \(1{,}100 \times 0.005 = 5.5\) lb; total = 27.5 lb of feed per day.
$$\text{Total} = 22 + 5.5 = 27.5 \text{ lb}$$
FAQ
Is 2% always right? It's a starting point. Easy keepers may need 1.5%, while hard keepers or working horses may need more. Monitor body condition.
Should I weigh hay? Yes. Flakes vary in weight, so a kitchen or luggage scale gives much more accurate feeding.
Does this replace a vet? No. Use it as a guide and consult a vet or equine nutritionist for special needs, growth, pregnancy, or illness.
