How to use the horse hay cost calculator
- Enter the price and weight of one bale.
- Enter the hay you feed per horse per day and the number of horses.
- Press Calculate.
Worked example
Two horses, each fed 10 kg of hay a day, from US$12 bales of 20 kg (your prices will differ).
- Currency
- US dollar
- Price per bale
- 12
- Bale weight
- 20 kg
- Hay fed per horse per day
- 10 kg
- Number of horses
- 2
- Per month
- $365
- Per year
- $4,380
- One bale lasts
- 1 days
Prices the hay you enter; it does not say how much a horse should eat. Ask your vet or an equine nutritionist.
Example values are illustrative; this result is produced by the same calculator above.
How we calculate it
Sources: Pure arithmetic / unit conversion on user inputs (no external constant)
Understanding your result
To price hay, divide the bale price by the bale weight to get the price per kilogram, then multiply by the kilograms you feed each day. A US$12 bale of 20 kg costs US$0.60 per kg.
Two horses eating 10 kg each a day use 20 kg, one bale a day, so hay costs US$12 a day, about US$365 a month and US$4,380 a year.
The calculator does not say how much hay a horse should eat, which depends on weight, workload and the rest of the diet. Ask your vet or an equine nutritionist. It prices the amount you enter.
Common mistakes
- Using the label weight of a bale without checking it.
- Leaving out wasted hay.
- Forgetting other feed and bedding.
- Entering the total for all horses as the amount per horse.
- Not allowing for price changes through the year.
Good to know
- Bale weight varies; weigh a few.
- Use the Horse Weight Calculator to estimate your horse's weight.
- Talk to your vet if your horse is losing or gaining weight.
When to talk to your vet
- Your horse is losing or gaining weight
- Before changing a horse's diet
Frequently asked questions
How much hay should I feed?
That depends on the horse, its weight, workload and forage, so ask your vet or an equine nutritionist. This calculator prices the amount you enter.
Does a bale weigh the same everywhere?
No. Bale weights vary a lot, so weigh a few on a scale.
Is waste included?
No. If you waste hay, enter the amount you actually put out.
How much hay should my horse eat?
That depends on the horse and its workload. Ask your vet or an equine nutritionist.
Does it include waste?
No. Enter the amount you actually put out.
Can I use pounds?
Yes. Switch the unit toggle to imperial and enter bale and daily weights in pounds.
Sources
- Pure arithmetic / unit conversion on user inputs (no external constant)
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This only prices the amount you enter. Ask your veterinarian or an equine nutritionist how much your horse should eat. If your pet may have eaten something harmful, contact your vet or an animal poison helpline now.