Forage Calculator – How Much Should You Feed Your Horse?
It is widely accepted horses should consume 1.5% - 2.5% of their bodyweight in forage, on a dry matter basis. But what does that actually mean?
Well, for example, a 500kg horse should consume a minimum of 7.5kg of forage a day on a dry matter basis (500kg x 1.5% = 7.5kg). But confusingly this does not mean they need 7.5kg of hay or haylage a day. Hay and haylage have differing moisture contents, with hay having a dry matter of around 85%, and haylage of around 60%. This means the 500kg horse in our example needs a minimum of 8.8kg of hay (7.5kg / 85% = 8.8kg) or 12.5kg of haylage (7.5kg / 60% = 12.5kg). To make matters more complicated, grazing also contributes to the total forage requirements, in turn reducing the amount of hay or haylage required, depending on the availability and quality of the pasture.
A bit confusing, isn't it? But fear not - this is where our Horse Forage Calculator can help!
How to Calculate How Much Forage Your Horse Needs
Our simple Forage Calculator makes it easy to estimate how much hay or haylage your horse needs each day based on their bodyweight, condition goal, and grazing access.
Just enter a few quick details and we’ll give you a tailored daily feeding guide — perfect for checking you're on the right track. Remember - keep monitoring your horse's weight and/or condition score, as you may need to adjust feeding amounts up or down to maintain a healthy weight depending on your horse's individual needs.
What does the calculator take into account?
- Your horse’s weight and bogy condition
- Whether you're feeding hay or haylage
- How much time they spend grazing
- The quality of the grazing (Poor, Average or Lush)
Please note: This calculator is intended for guidance only and should not replace personalised advice from your vet or equine nutritionist — especially if your horse has a medical condition such as Laminitis or Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS). Always consult a professional if you're unsure.
Horse Forage Calculator
Limitations of the Forage Calculator
The calculator does not take into account any bucket feed your horse may get. If your horse has a high fibre feed / hay replacer, the results may need to be adjusted accordingly.
This calculator provides advice for healthy adult horses and ponies only. For equines with health conditions such as laminitis or EMS, please consult your veterinarian for specific feeding advice.
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