Horse Hay: How Long Will a Bale of Hay Last One Horse?

Last updated: September 15, 2023

By: Miles HenryFact Checked

My neighbor, a father of two, has been considering buying a horse for his kids. Naturally, he’s curious about the costs, especially how long a bale of hay might last. To answer that, I came up with a table illustrating the hay consumption of a 1,000-pound horse that eats 2% of its body weight daily, broken down by day, month, and year:

Time Period	Hay Consumed (Weight)	Hay Consumed (40 lb. Bales)
Daily	20 lbs	0.5 bales
Monthly (30 days)	600 lbs	15 bales
Yearly	7,300 lbs	182.5 bales

Note: Hay consumption varies based on several factors, including the horse’s activity level, age, health status, the quality of the hay, and prevailing weather conditions. In this article, I dive deep into the nuances of hay and its role in a horse’s health. Whether you’re new to horse care or an old hand, there’s always more to learn.

Basics of Horse Nutrition

Horses, like all animals, have specific nutritional needs to maintain good health and thrive. They require a balance of six main classes of nutrients: water, carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals.

1. Water: Often overlooked, but it’s the most crucial nutrient. A horse’s intake varies based on factors like exercise, temperature, and the moisture content in their food. Always ensure your horse has access to clean, fresh water.
2. Carbohydrates: They are the primary energy source for horses. These are found abundantly in grasses and grains. Depending on the horse’s activity level, carbs can be adjusted to prevent weight gain or loss.
3. Proteins: Essential for muscle development and repair. Sources include legume hays, such as alfalfa and certain grains. It’s vital to balance protein intake, as excessive protein can be hard on a horse’s kidneys.
4. Fats: While horses don’t require a lot of fats, they can be a concentrated energy source. Adding oils or high-fat feeds can help horses requiring extra energy.
5. Vitamins and Minerals: These are required in smaller amounts but are vital for various bodily functions. They’re often present in quality feeds and hays, but sometimes supplements are necessary.

Why Hay is a Cornerstone in a Horse’s Diet

Hay plays an instrumental role in a horse’s diet for several reasons:

• Digestive Health: Horses have evolved as grazing animals. Their digestive systems are designed to process forage, like hay, throughout the day. Consistent hay intake helps maintain proper gut function and can prevent issues like colic.
• Dental Health: Chewing hay promotes dental health by ensuring even wear on a horse’s teeth.
• Behavioral Benefits: Horses are naturally inclined to graze for a significant portion of their day. Providing hay can mimic this natural behavior, keeping them content and reducing stress.
• Nutritional Balance: While pasture grass is ideal, it’s not always available year-round or in sufficient quantities. Hay serves as a stable and consistent source of essential nutrients, ensuring that horses receive the necessary sustenance even when fresh grass isn’t an option.

In essence, while there are several components to a horse’s diet, hay stands out as a pivotal element, supporting both their physical health and mental well-being.

Factors Influencing Hay Consumption

Understanding how much hay to feed a horse isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer. Several factors come into play, and it’s crucial to tailor hay consumption based on these elements.

Horse’s Age: Dietary Needs Through Life Stages

• Young Horses: Foals and yearlings are in a rapid growth phase. While they’ll graze on hay, they also need nutrient-rich feeds to ensure proper development. Their dietary needs are more geared towards higher protein and essential minerals to support bone and muscle growth.
• Mature Horses: These are generally the easiest to feed, with hay making up a significant portion of their diet. Their protein needs are lower than young horses, but energy requirements vary based on activity level.
• Senior Horses: As horses age, they might face dental issues, making it hard to chew hay. Additionally, their digestive efficiency can decrease. They might benefit from softer hays or even hay cubes, and might need additional supplements to maintain their health.

Workload: Feeding Based on Activity

• Working Horse: Active working horses, like those used in farming or regular riding lessons, burn more calories. They’ll often need more hay and possibly supplemental grain for additional energy.
• Leisure Horse: These horses, typically used for occasional riding or light work, have moderate energy needs. A steady diet of good quality hay, with little to no grain, often suffices.
• Performance Horse: Athletes in the equine world, be it racehorses or show jumpers, have the highest energy requirements. While hay is foundational, they’ll often get substantial supplemental feeds to meet their energy, protein, and nutrient demands.

Type of Horse Hay: It’s Not Just About Quantity

Different hays have varying nutritional profiles:

• Alfalfa: High in protein and calcium, it’s excellent for young horses or lactating mares. However, it can be too rich for some adult horses if fed exclusively.
• Timothy: A well-balanced hay suitable for most horses, with moderate protein and energy levels.
• Clover: Often mixed with other hays, clover is palatable and can be a good protein source. But, it can sometimes cause bloating if consumed in large quantities.

Access to Other Forages: Beyond Hay

While hay is a staple, the availability of pasture grass and other feeds can influence hay consumption:

• Pasture Grass: If a horse has access to abundant, quality pasture, its hay requirement might decrease significantly. Fresh grass can supply many of the nutrients a horse needs.
• Other Feeds: Grain, pellets, and other supplements can provide additional nutrients. If a horse is receiving these, they might consume less hay, but it’s essential to maintain a balance to ensure proper gut health.

While hay is a critical component in a horse’s diet, understanding the nuances of their needs can make all the difference in their health and happiness.

Stall Time	How long a 40 lb bale of hay lasts
Stall kept (average horse)	2-3 days
Overnight in a Stall (pasture in the day)	10 days
Stall Kept Draft Horses (2,000lbs)	2 days

The Math Behind the Bale

When it comes to feeding horses, knowing the numbers is just as crucial as understanding their nutritional needs. Let’s break down the math to get a clearer picture of how much hay a horse might consume.

Daily Consumption: How Much Does a Horse Really Eat?

On average, a horse consumes between 1.5% to 3% of its body weight in forage daily. For a 1,000-pound horse, this means they’ll eat between 15 to 30 pounds of hay each day. However, the most commonly advised range is 2% of the body weight, which translates to about 20 pounds of hay for our standard 1,000-pound horse.

Duration of a Bale: How Long Does One Last?

Using the 2% guideline and considering a 1,000-pound horse, this horse would eat 20 pounds of hay daily. Now, if we have a standard 40 lb. square bale, it would last this horse about two days. But remember, consumption can vary based on the factors we discussed earlier, such as workload, age, and access to other forages.

How Many Bales of Hay Per Horse Per Month?

An average-sized horse eats 15 bales of hay each month. This figure is based on the following factors:

1. Horse’s Weight: A typical horse weighing around 1,000 pounds requires about 1.5% to 3% of its body weight in forage daily.
2. Daily Consumption: This horse would eat roughly 20 pounds of hay daily when given 2% of its body weight in forage.
3. Type of Hay: Not all hay bales are the same. The nutritional quality can vary, potentially affecting how much a horse needs. My calculation is based on common hay types without significant deficiencies.
4. Hay Bale Weight: Each bale in this scenario weighs 40 pounds. The number of bales consumed each month will differ if your hay bales are heavier or lighter.
5. Activity Level: A more active horse, such as those used in rigorous sports or work, might require more forage for energy, while a sedentary horse might need less.
6. Health and Age: Senior horses or those with specific health issues may have different dietary needs.
7. Additional Supplements: If the horse is receiving grain or other dietary supplements, it might eat slightly less hay.
8. Seasonal Variations: In colder months, horses might consume more hay to help maintain body temperature.

Remember, individual needs can vary based on breed, metabolism, and other specific conditions, so it’s always crucial to monitor your horse and consult with an equine nutritionist or veterinarian.

Quality Over Quantity

When it comes to feeding horses, the age-old adage holds true: it’s not just about how much you feed, but what you feed. The quality of hay is paramount, often overshadowing mere quantity considerations. Here’s why:

The Significance of Hay Quality

High-quality hay provides the nutrients essential for a horse’s health and well-being. It’s not merely about filling their bellies but ensuring they receive the right vitamins, minerals, and other essential compounds. Good quality hay can reduce the need for supplemental feeds, provide better energy, and support optimal digestion.

Harvest Time: A Crucial Factor

The time of harvest can profoundly impact the nutritional content of hay:

• Early Harvest: Hay harvested at an earlier stage, usually when grasses are still somewhat immature, tends to be higher in protein and overall nutrients. It’s often softer and more palatable to horses.
• Late Harvest: Hay harvested later, when plants have matured and possibly started to seed, might have a higher fiber content but lower overall nutritional value. This hay might be tougher and less appealing to horses.

Dangers of Low-Quality Hay

Feeding subpar hay doesn’t just skimp on nutrition—it can pose severe health risks:

• Mold: Damp or improperly stored hay can develop mold, which is toxic to horses when ingested. Moldy hay can lead to respiratory issues, colic, and other digestive disturbances.
• Dust: Overly dry or deteriorating hay can become dusty. Dust isn’t just a minor annoyance; it can cause or exacerbate respiratory problems in horses, commonly known as “heaves” or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
• Weeds and Foreign Materials: Low-quality hay might contain harmful weeds, plants, or other contaminants that can be toxic or harmful when consumed.

In conclusion, while it’s essential to provide adequate amounts of hay, it’s equally crucial to ensure the hay’s quality. Taking the time to select and store hay correctly is an investment in your horse’s health and happiness.

How Long Does a Round Bale of Hay Last One Horse?

I have a friend who feeds his horses round bales. He puts them in a pasture under a run-in shed to protect the hay from the weather. He and I disagree on using round bales for horses; I think they are unfit for feeding horses because they tend to mold.

But anyway, his round bales are used to supplement the grass his horses eat in the pasture and last a long time, sometimes up to three months. They may not last as long if you intend to use them as your only forage source.

Round bales of hay for horses come in many sizes, but the most common is 4 X 5 feet. These bales typically weigh close to eight hundred pounds and last about two months.

Knowing How Long a Bale of Hay Lasts for Your Horse is Essential.

A horse requires a lot of forage to keep it healthy, and hay is the most common type owners supply to their animals. There are a few reasons it’s important to have a general idea of how long a bale of hay lasts a horse.

Of course, the most obvious reason it costs, but it is also helpful to know for the well-being of your animal. If you notice a bale lasting an unusually long time, it could be a sign your horse is sick or has a problem with its teeth.

Costs

It’s essential to have an idea of how much it’s going to cost to keep a horse, and a good start is to determine how much hay your horse consumes each day, especially if kept in a stall.

I had an agreement with a trainer to pay the expenses for a racehorse, and instead of the trainer getting 10 percent of the purse, he would get 50 percent of the horse’s earnings. When racehorses are in training, their forage intake is restricted to hay, so I needed to know the costs of a bale of hay and how long one would last.

Without this knowledge, the trainer could easily charge me for hay and feed it to other horses he had in training. I would never expect him to take advantage of the situation or do anything dishonest, but it’s prudent to be informed!

Our arrangement worked well for both of us, and in the end, the monthly expenses were what I expected to pay. Even if you don’t board a horse, knowing how long a bale of hay lasts a horse is crucial in estimating the costs of keeping a horse.

Health

A healthy horse should eat between one and two percent of its weight in forage. Of course, the amount depends on factors such as age, type of hay, and how hard your horse is working, but this gives you a general idea of what to expect them to consume.

If your horse is not eating the proper amount of forage, it could be sick or have a problem with its teeth. Horses need a certain amount of forage for their digestive system to work correctly and maintain their health.

So if you notice your horse not finishing a bale of hay on time, it should raise a concern. First, check the hay to ensure it isn’t moldy or rotten. Some horses refuse good hay if it’s new to them.

If your hay is good and it’s a type they’re used to eating, then it’s time to call in the vet and have your horse checked. I had a horse refuse to eat, and it turned out to have a virus.

Which Cut of Hay is Best?

Horse owners want to feed their horses the best hay, and sellers know this, so they charge more for second cuttings than first or third ones. But is it worth paying extra for a second cutting?

The first cutting typically is full of stems, has more weeds, and is believed to have less nutritional value than the second cuttings; the same goes for third cuttings, but I’m not sold on this theory.

In general, many believe hay made from second cuttings is the single most important factor contributing to hay’s nutritional value, but this isn’t always true. In reality maturity of the grass at the time it’s harvested is the critical factor that determines hay’s nutritional value.

For some grass species, a first or third cutting could be the best because not all grass types mature at the same time. While it’s true that cold-weather grasses include more stems in their first cutting than the second, this is not the case for warm-weather grasses like coastal bermudagrass.

I’ve cut and baled bermudagrass, and there is no discernable difference between the first and second cutting. However, what does make a difference is the weather and how long you leave the grass on the ground before baling.

When choosing hay, the most important factors to consider are the harvest maturity stage, weeds, smell, and color. High-quality horse hay smells fresh, is vibrant green, and has thin stems, so your horse has an easy time chewing.

Tips for Storing and Choosing Hay

Ensuring your horse receives high-quality hay involves more than just purchasing it; you also need to store it correctly and be discerning in your selection. Here are some tips to help you maximize the quality and nutritional value of the hay you offer your horse.

Best Practices to Keep Hay Fresh

1. Proper Storage Location: Store hay in a dry, well-ventilated area. Barns or sheds specifically designed for hay storage are ideal. These structures protect the hay from the elements and minimize the risk of moisture exposure, which can lead to mold growth.
2. Elevate the Hay: Keep hay off direct ground contact. Using wooden pallets or hay tarps can prevent the bottom bales from becoming moist or moldy.
3. Keep It Dry: If hay gets wet, its nutritional quality can decrease rapidly. Furthermore, wet hay is a mold magnet. If there’s a chance your hay might get wet (like in rainy seasons), consider using hay tarps or waterproof covers.
4. Avoid Sunlight: Extended exposure to direct sunlight can bleach hay and reduce its vitamin content. While some sunlight is okay, prolonged exposure is not advisable.
5. Regular Rotation: Practice the “first in, first out” rule. Use older hay first to ensure that you don’t end up with stale or deteriorating stock.

How to Select the Best Bales for Your Horse

1. Appearance: Quality hay should be greenish in color, indicating it has retained its nutritional value. Avoid overly yellow, brown, or bleached hay.
2. Smell: Fresh hay has a sweet, grassy aroma. Steer clear of hay that smells moldy, musty, or fermented.
3. Texture: The hay should be soft to touch, not overly coarse. Very rough hay might be over-mature and of lower nutritional value.
4. No Dust or Mold: Give the bale a light shake. If you see a cloud of dust or sense any mold, it’s best to skip that bale.
5. Check for Weeds: Good hay should be free from excessive weeds, harmful plants, and any foreign material.
6. Tightness of the Bale: While this isn’t a direct indicator of quality, a well-bound bale suggests good farming practices and might hint at overall better quality hay.
7. Seek Recommendations: Speak to fellow horse owners, local farmers, or equine nutritionists for recommendations on trusted hay suppliers in your region.

Remember, your horse’s health, energy, and well-being are directly influenced by the quality of hay they consume. Taking the time to choose and store hay properly is an investment in their long-term health and happiness.

Resources:

• Voluntary intake and digestion of Coastal Bermuda grass hay by yearling and mature horses
• “Hay-bags” and “Slow feeders”: Testing their impact on horse behavior and welfare.