Horse Feed Calculator

How It Works

The foundation of equine nutrition is forage (hay or pasture) — horses should eat a minimum of 1.5% of their body weight in forage daily to maintain gut health. Unlike dogs or cats, horses have a digestive system designed for continuous grazing, and going without food for more than 4-6 hours can lead to gastric ulcers or colic. Grain and concentrates supplement energy needs for working horses but should never replace hay. Alfalfa hay is higher in protein and calories than grass hay, making it ideal for lactating mares and performance horses but too rich for easy keepers. Always provide free-choice clean water — a horse drinks 5-10 gallons per day, more in heat or during heavy work.