Horse — Feed Requirements Guide
Horses are hindgut fermenters that require a forage-based diet supplemented with concentrates based on workload and life stage. The average adult horse at 1,100 lbs consumes approximately 22 lbs of dry matter daily, with the majority coming from hay or pasture. Unlike ruminants, horses have a relatively small stomach and require frequent meals or continuous access to forage. Protein requirements for horses are lower than for dairy cattle but vary significantly with activity level, ranging from 8% for idle horses to 14-16% for growing young stock. Proper equine nutrition emphasizes consistent forage quality, balanced mineral supplementation, and careful concentrate feeding to avoid metabolic issues such as laminitis, colic, and gastric ulcers.
Horse Nutritional Requirements by Life Stage
The table below shows how dry matter intake, protein requirements, and feed costs change across the 9 life stages of horse production. Life stage adjustments account for the dramatically different energy and protein demands of lactation, growth, gestation, and maintenance. Click any life stage for a dedicated page with detailed feeding recommendations and management tips.
| Life Stage | DMI Adj. | Daily DMI | Protein % | Daily Protein | Monthly Cost* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maintenance | 1x | 22.0 lbs | 10% | 2.2 lbs | $56.25 |
| Light Work | 1.1x | 24.2 lbs | 11% | 2.7 lbs | $61.88 |
| Moderate Work | 1.25x | 27.5 lbs | 12% | 3.3 lbs | $70.31 |
| Heavy Work | 1.5x | 33.0 lbs | 13% | 4.3 lbs | $84.38 |
| Breeding Stallion | 1.15x | 25.3 lbs | 12% | 3.0 lbs | $64.69 |
| Pregnant Mare | 1.15x | 25.3 lbs | 13% | 3.3 lbs | $64.69 |
| Lactating Mare | 1.5x | 33.0 lbs | 15% | 5.0 lbs | $84.38 |
| Weanling (6-12 months) | 1.4x | 30.8 lbs | 16% | 4.9 lbs | $78.75 |
| Yearling (12-24 months) | 1.2x | 26.4 lbs | 14% | 3.7 lbs | $67.50 |
*Monthly cost estimated using grass hay at $150/ton. Actual costs vary by feed type and region.
Recommended Feeds for Horse
The following feeds meet both the minimum crude protein and TDN requirements for horse at maintenance level (10% protein, 55% TDN) when fed as the sole feed source. In practice, most feeding programs combine multiple feed ingredients to optimize cost and nutritional balance.
| Feed | Protein | TDN | As-Fed/Day | Cost/Ton |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alfalfa Hay | 18% | 58% | 24.4 lbs | $250 |
| Haylage (Baleage) | 14% | 60% | 48.9 lbs | $80 |
| Oats | 12% | 70% | 24.7 lbs | $210 |
| Barley | 13% | 84% | 25.0 lbs | $230 |
| Soybean Meal | 44% | 84% | 24.4 lbs | $450 |
| Cottonseed Meal | 41% | 75% | 24.2 lbs | $380 |
| Distillers Grains (Dried) | 27% | 86% | 24.4 lbs | $200 |
| Wheat Bran | 16% | 67% | 24.7 lbs | $180 |
| Rice Bran | 13% | 65% | 24.2 lbs | $200 |
| Pasture Grass (Fresh) | 12% | 62% | 88.0 lbs | $0 |
| Corn Gluten Feed | 21% | 80% | 25.0 lbs | $200 |
| Canola Meal | 36% | 74% | 24.4 lbs | $350 |
| Layer Pellets | 16% | 70% | 24.4 lbs | $400 |
| Broiler Starter | 22% | 78% | 24.4 lbs | $450 |
| Horse Sweet Feed | 12% | 72% | 25.0 lbs | $350 |
| Brewers Grains (Wet) | 26% | 66% | 91.7 lbs | $60 |
| Alfalfa Hay Cubes | 17% | 56% | 24.4 lbs | $300 |
Feeds Requiring Supplementation
These feeds meet either the protein or TDN requirement but not both, and would need to be combined with other feeds in a balanced ration. The table indicates which nutritional requirement is met and which needs supplementation.
| Feed | Protein | TDN | Protein OK? | TDN OK? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Timothy Hay | 9% | 55% | No | Yes |
| Bermuda Grass Hay | 10% | 52% | Yes | No |
| Corn Silage | 8% | 70% | No | Yes |
| Whole Corn | 9% | 88% | No | Yes |
| Cracked Corn | 9% | 88% | No | Yes |
| Beet Pulp | 9% | 74% | No | Yes |
| Molasses | 5% | 72% | No | Yes |
| Fat Supplement (Bypass Fat) | 0% | 180% | No | Yes |
| Urea (Feed Grade) | 281% | 0% | Yes | No |
Feeding Horse at Different Body Weights
Body weight directly determines dry matter intake. The table below shows how daily feed requirements change across a range of body weights for horse at maintenance level. Use the calculator for custom weights, life stages, and herd sizes.
| Body Weight | Daily DMI | Daily Protein | Monthly Feed | Annual Feed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 660 lbs | 13.2 lbs | 1.3 lbs | 396 lbs | 2.41 tons |
| 880 lbs | 17.6 lbs | 1.8 lbs | 528 lbs | 3.21 tons |
| 1,100 lbs | 22.0 lbs | 2.2 lbs | 660 lbs | 4.01 tons |
| 1,320 lbs | 26.4 lbs | 2.6 lbs | 792 lbs | 4.82 tons |
| 1,650 lbs | 33.0 lbs | 3.3 lbs | 990 lbs | 6.02 tons |
Herd Size Feed Budgets for Horse
Planning feed purchases and storage requires estimating total feed needs for your herd over time. The table below shows monthly and annual feed requirements and costs for various herd sizes of horse at maintenance level using grass hay at $150/ton.
| Head Count | Daily DMI Total | Monthly Feed | Annual Feed | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 110.0 lbs | 1.65 tons | 20.08 tons | $3,421.88 |
| 10 | 220.0 lbs | 3.30 tons | 40.15 tons | $6,843.75 |
| 25 | 550.0 lbs | 8.25 tons | 100.38 tons | $17,109.38 |
| 50 | 1,100.0 lbs | 16.50 tons | 200.75 tons | $34,218.75 |
| 100 | 2,200.0 lbs | 33.00 tons | 401.50 tons | $68,437.50 |
| 200 | 4,400.0 lbs | 66.00 tons | 803.00 tons | $136,875.00 |
Other Animals
Browse feed requirement guides for other livestock species.