The Horse Hay Supply Calculator helps you determine the total hay needed for your horses over a specified period. The tool is designed to efficiently plan hay supply during colder months when horses rely on stored feed.

A horse typically consumes hay based on its body weight. A horse should eat about 2% of its body weight in hay daily. For example, a horse weighing 1,000 pounds must consume approximately 20 pounds of hay daily. This amount can vary slightly depending on factors like the horse's age, workload, and overall health, as well as the quality of the hay.
Horses with higher energy requirements (such as those in work or pregnant/lactating mares) may need additional supplementation beyond hay, while horses with access to pasture may consume less hay.

Calculator

1. enter the weight of the horse in pounds
2. how many horses you are calculating hay for
3. the number of days you need to supply hay (e.g., an entire winter season)
4. the average weight of the hay bales you use in pounds
5. enter the estimated percentage of hay lost due to storage conditions
6. the estimated percentage of hay waste due to feeding methods

Results

1. the amount of dry matter a horse consumes per day based on its weight
2. the total amount of hay in pounds that would meet the horses' dry matter needs over the specified number of days
3. the number of hay bales required adjusted for moisture content (If the hay contains more moisture, more bales will be necessary to meet the dry matter needs; if the hay is drier, fewer bales will be needed)

This tool helps plan hay supplies in winter to ensure your horses have sufficient feed for the colder months.

Hay and Silage