If you are searching for a guide on how much grain to feed a horse or want to use a calculator to determine how much to give your horse, this guide will give you expert advice on feeding horses of different ages and weights.
Table of Contents
Horse feeding overview:
Horses are different in how they digest and absorb nutrients in the food when compared to other farm animals such as cows. They are able to extract a higher percentage of nutrients, and also ferment food in their four-chambered stomach over a longer period of time. This allows them to graze for long periods and eat small amounts of food throughout the day.
In summary, a horse’s stomach is about the size of a human’s fist, and its intestines are much longer in comparison to other animals. For example, a cow’s stomach is about the size of a watermelon, while its intestines are only about three times its body length. In contrast, a horse’s stomach is only about one-third the size of its intestines!
The long intestines of a horse also help to explain why colic (abdominal pain) is such a common and potentially deadly problem in these animals. When a horse eats too much grain or rich food, it can ferment and cause gas build-up in its stomach.
The gas can then get trapped in the small twists and turns of their intestines, causing pain and potentially cutting off blood flow to the area. This is why it’s so important to feed horses a balanced diet and not overdo it on the grain.
What are the different types of grains you can feed horses?
Oats: Oats are a type of grain that is commonly fed to horses. They are a good source of energy and contain a variety of vitamins and minerals. Oats can be fed to horses at all life stages and are generally considered to be a safe grain.
Barley: Barley is another type of grain that is commonly fed to horses. Like oats, barley is a good source of energy and contains a variety of vitamins and minerals. Barley can be fed to horses at all life stages and is generally considered to be a safe grain.
Bran: Bran is the outer layer of wheat and other grains. It is high in fiber but low in nutrients. For this reason, bran is typically fed to horses as a supplement, rather than as a sole source of nutrition. Bran should not be fed to horses with respiratory problems, as the dust from the bran can aggravate their condition.
Corn: Corn is a type of grain that is commonly fed to horses. It is a good source of energy and contains a variety of vitamins and minerals. Corn can be fed to horses at all life stages and is generally considered to be a safe grain.
Starting a horse on grains: How much to feed?
If you are starting feeding your horse grains, it is important to do so gradually. This will give their digestive system time to adjust to the new food. Start by mixing a small amount of grain with their hay or other feed. Slowly increase the amount of grain over time, until they are eating the recommended amount.
A good rule of thumb is to start giving 1 pound of grain for every 200 pounds of body weight. For young weaning horses with about 400 to 500 pounds in weight, you can feed them 2 to 2.5 pounds of grain.
Your aim is to see a reduction in the consumption of roughage. After every other 3 days, increase the grain by half a pound until the required amount is reached while the reduction in hay intake is observed. If at any stage, there’s an increase in hay consumption, then cut back on the grain until the hay eating decreases again.
How much grain should an adult horse eat per day?
The average adult horse should consume between 2 and 8 pounds of grain per day but horses that work hard and require more energy can consume up to upwards of 10 to 15 pounds to meet their daily caloric requirements.
The amount of grain you should feed your horse will depend on a few factors, including their age, weight, activity level, and the type of grain you are giving them.
For example, a horse that is working hard will need more grain than a horse that is not working. A healthy horse will also need more grain than a horse that is sick or injured.
As a general rule of thumb, adult horses should receive no more than 0.5% of their body weight in grain per day. For example, a 1000 lb (454 kg) horse should not eat more than 5 lb (2.3 kg) of grain in a day.
However, if your horse is very active or working hard, they may need up to 1% of their body weight in grain per day. For example, a 1000 lb (454 kg) horse working hard may need up to 10 lb (4.5 kg) of grain per day.
If you are unsure how much grain to feed your horse, it’s always best to talk to a veterinarian or equine nutritionist. They will be able to give you specific advice based on your horse’s individual needs.
Horse Grain Feeding calculators:
There are many different grain calculators available online that can help you determine how much to feed your horse. Simply enter in your horse’s weight, age, and activity level, and the calculator will do the rest.
Below are some horse grain calculators I found around the net;
However, it’s important to remember that these calculators are only a guide. Every horse is different, so it’s always best to talk to a veterinarian or equine nutritionist before making any changes to their diet.
What the calculators can give you:
- Caloric requirements for horses of different sizes per day: The average horse needs about 15-20 calories per pound of body weight per day. For example, a 1000 lb (454 kg) horse needs about 15,000-20,000 calories per day. However, activity level and other factors can affect a horse’s caloric needs. For example, a very active horse may need 30-40 calories per pound of body weight per day.
How much to feed an active horse doing a lot of work?
According to Purina Mills Calculator, a very high-performing horse doing a lot of work with a weight of 800 pounds has an energy requirement of 25100 Calories per day. You’ll need to feed this hose about 9½lbs/day of hay or equivalent pasture as shown in the snapshot of calculator output below;
How much grain to feed a weaning/growing horse of 500 pounds?
According to Purina Mills Calculator, a weaning equine of 500 pounds has an energy requirement of 15,500 Calories per day and you’ll need to feed them about + 6lbs/day of hay or equivalent pasture. Compared to the grown horse above of 800 pounds, this is a significantly lower amount of hay per day. See the snapshot of the output from this calculator below;
How about a Stallion – How much grain or hay to feed?
Purina Mills horse feeding calculator indicates that the biggest breeding Stallion of 1400 pounds has an energy requirement of 27700 Calories per day and needs to be fed + 17lbs/day of hay or pasture equivalent per day. See the snapshot below for details.
Amounts of Hay vs Grains for Horses:
As a general rule of thumb, horses should consume between 1-2% of their body weight in hay or pasture per day. For example, a 1000 lb (454 kg) horse should eat 10-20 lb (4.5-9 kg) of hay or pasture per day.
The amount of grain you feed your horse will depend on their individual needs. Some horses may only need a small amount of grain, while others will require more. It’s best to talk to a veterinarian or equine nutritionist to determine how much grain your horse should be eating.
As a general rule, horses should not consume more than 0.5% of their body weight in grain per day. For example, a 1000 lb (454 kg) horse should not eat more than 5 lb (2.3 kg) of grain per day.
If your horse is very active or working hard, they may need more grain than this. However, it’s still best to talk to a veterinarian or equine nutritionist to determine the exact amount of grain your horse should be eating.
What are the different types of hay you can feed horses?
There are many different types of hay that can be fed to horses, including alfalfa, Timothy, and brome. The type of hay you feed your horse will depend on their individual needs. It’s best to talk to a veterinarian or equine nutritionist to determine which type of hay is best for your horse.
What are the different types of supplements you can feed horses?
There are many different types of supplements that can be fed to horses, including vitamins, minerals, and herbs. The type of supplement you feed your horse will depend on their individual needs. It’s best to talk to a veterinarian or equine nutritionist to determine which type of supplement is best for your horse.
FAQs
Q: What are the best horse feeds?
A: The best horse feeds are those that meet the individual needs of your horse which vary depending on the age, activity level, and health, among other factors. I have reviewed several good horse feed brands with recommendations for feeding young horses, senior horses, active horses, and more.
Q: How often should I feed my horse?
A: A good rule of thumb is to feed your horse 2 to 3 times per day.
Q: How much water should I give my horse?
A: A good rule of thumb is to give your horse 1 gallon of water per day for every 1000 pounds of body weight.
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Hi there! My name is Ben Domb, an owner of two pets and I am one of the co-founders of OurPets HQ. I have several years of experience as a pet care professional in the New England region having spent time in various roles including a stint at a veterinary hospital in Upstate New York, Syracuse area. I am a certified pet care professional and mostly spend my time researching pet nutrition and sharing my thoughts in various blogs and columns. With quarantine and COVID restrictions, I have been spending a lot of time a lot with my dogs and cat and loving it! I also run a small consulting business providing advice to parents on pet nutrition, and especially safe homemade options to try. You can reach me at ben@ourpetshq.com
