Horse Feed & Hay Cost Calculator
Estimate monthly and annual feed costs from horse weight, workload, and hay type. No signup.
Feeding program
How much does it cost to feed a horse?
Feed is usually the second-largest recurring cost after boarding. Hay prices swing with drought, fuel, and regional supply—this estimator uses typical retail bands so you can sanity-check a seller or barn quote.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to feed a horse per month?
Hay alone often runs $150–$350 per month for an average 1,100 lb horse, depending on local hay prices and workload. Adding grain, supplements, and alfalfa can push monthly feed costs to $250–$500+.
How much hay does a horse eat per day?
Most horses consume 1.5–2.5% of body weight in forage daily. A 1,100 lb horse on moderate work typically eats 20–28 lbs of hay per day, or roughly 0.3–0.4 tons per month.
Is alfalfa more expensive than grass hay?
Yes—alfalfa and mixed hay usually cost more per ton than grass hay, but higher protein can reduce grain needs for some horses. Price varies sharply by region and harvest year.
Do idle horses need grain?
Many idle or light-work horses thrive on quality forage plus a ration balancer or mineral supplement. Grain becomes more important as workload and calorie demand increase.
Is this feed cost estimate accurate?
This tool uses typical US hay and grain price bands for 2025–2026. Your barn, bulk purchasing, and waste factor will change the real invoice. Use this to budget, then track actual feed bills.