Horse Hay Cost Calculator
Estimate daily hay, bale use, monthly cost and winter forage budget from horse weight, forage target, dry matter and wastage.
Enter Forage And Bale Details
Hay Cost Result
Estimated hay cost for the entered forage plan.
How The Hay Budget Works
The calculator starts with a dry matter forage target as a percentage of body weight. A 500 kg horse at 2% body weight needs about 10 kg dry matter from forage each day. Hay is not completely dry, so the calculator divides by the hay dry matter percentage to estimate the as-fed hay weight. It then subtracts other forage or grazing entered by the user and adds wastage. Wastage can come from hay trampled into bedding, rejected stems, wet nets, wind, mud or poor storage. The final daily hay amount is converted into bales and cost for the chosen period.
Formula Method
Forage dry matter target kg = body weight kg x target percentage / 100Hay as-fed kg before other forage = dry matter target / (hay dry matter percentage / 100)Hay needed kg = hay as-fed kg - other forage kgHay to buy kg = hay needed kg x (1 + wastage percentage / 100)Bales needed = hay to buy kg over period / bale weight, rounded upCost = bales needed x bale priceDry matter language matters because hay, haylage and grass contain different water amounts. Haylage can be heavier per unit of dry matter than hay. Fresh grass can contain far more water again. This page is set up for hay, but the dry matter field lets users make a cautious comparison where a forage analysis is available. If the horse is on restricted grazing, soaked hay, track systems or veterinary weight management, follow professional advice. The calculator can price the plan; it cannot choose the plan.
Forage Planning Table
| Situation | Budget Issue | Check Before Buying |
|---|---|---|
| Winter stabled horse | Hay may supply most forage. | Storage space and delivery timing. |
| Good winter turnout | Grass may reduce hay need. | Do not overestimate grass on poor fields. |
| Messy feeder | Wastage can be high. | Try safer nets or feeders if suitable. |
| Soaked hay | Handling and waste may rise. | Follow veterinary or nutrition advice. |
| Shared yard delivery | Bulk price may be lower. | Agree quality, storage and payment split. |
| Poor teeth or older horse | Hay intake may be limited. | Ask a vet or qualified nutrition adviser. |
Worked Hay Budget Example
A 500 kg horse has a forage dry matter target of 2% of body weight. That is 10 kg dry matter per day. If hay is 86% dry matter, the hay equivalent is about 11.6 kg as fed. If turnout or other forage contributes 2 kg per day, the hay need becomes 9.6 kg. With 10% wastage, the hay to buy is about 10.6 kg per day. Over 120 days, that is about 1,276 kg. If small bales weigh 20 kg and cost GBP 7 each, the yard needs 64 bales rounded up and the period cost is about GBP 448.
Buying And Storage Notes
Hay price alone is not the full cost. A cheap bale that is dusty, mouldy, underweight, badly stored or rejected by the horse may cost more in waste and welfare risk. Weigh a sample bale rather than relying on a name such as small bale or large bale. Keep hay dry, ventilated and away from contamination. If the yard has limited storage, add delivery charges to the budget rather than assuming a single winter delivery. For horses with respiratory problems, laminitis risk, dental problems or special diets, get specific advice before changing hay type, soaking routine or forage amount.
Cost Checks For A Yard
When several horses share a delivery, calculate each horse separately. A 13.2 hh pony, a 500 kg riding horse and a large warmblood can have very different forage budgets. Do not split cost equally unless the yard agreement says that is how hay is charged. If hay is included in livery, the same maths can still help check whether a price rise is linked to bale cost, wastage, winter length or storage. Keep a bale log through winter: delivery date, bale count, bale weight, price, quality and days lasted. That record is more useful than memory when planning next season.
FAQs
How much hay does a horse need per day?
Many forage plans start from a dry matter target around a percentage of body weight, but the right amount depends on the individual horse, grass, workload, condition and health advice.
Why does dry matter matter?
Dry matter removes water from the comparison. Hay, haylage and grass can have different moisture levels, so the same as-fed weight may not provide the same fibre.
Should I add wastage?
Yes for budgeting. Some hay is dropped, trampled, rejected or spoiled. The right allowance depends on feeder type, bedding, weather and storage.
Can this replace a nutrition plan?
No. It prices a forage assumption. A vet or qualified nutrition adviser should guide feeding for weight loss, illness, laminitis risk, old age or poor teeth.
How do I budget for winter?
Enter the number of winter days, expected grass contribution, bale weight and bale price. Add delivery or storage cost separately if it is not included.
Why does the calculator round bales up?
Hay is bought in whole bales or loads. Rounding down can leave a shortage before the next delivery.
Sources
- Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs. (2017). Code of practice for the welfare of horses, ponies, donkeys and their hybrids. GOV.UK. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/code-of-practice-for-the-welfare-of-horses-ponies-donkeys-and-their-hybrids
- British Horse Society. (n.d.). Feeding and watering horses. BHS. https://www.bhs.org.uk/horse-care-and-welfare/health-care-management/feeding-and-watering/
- National Research Council. (2007). Nutrient Requirements of Horses, 6th revised ed. National Academies Press. https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/11653/nutrient-requirements-of-horses-sixth-revised-edition