PETS

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Horse hay and concentrate ration

Dry matter, meals and safety checks

Cautious nutrition estimate

How much hay and concentrate as a starting point?

1 · Horse

Describe the horse

Weight, age and body condition change the starting point and the caution checks.

Body weightkgUse a scale or an appropriate weight-tape estimate and recheck over time.Body Condition Score/ 9The 1–9 score should ideally be checked by a veterinarian or equine nutritionist.AgeyearsThe tool is intended mainly for adult horses that are not pregnant or lactating.Work intensityDescribe usual work, not a single day.

2 · Feed

Make the assumptions explicit

Quantities are converted from dry matter to the weight actually fed.

Hay dry matter%Dry hay is often around 88–90%; use the analysis if available.Concentrate share% of dry matterThis is a scenario choice. Many horses at maintenance or in light work may not need concentrate if forage is adequate.Concentrate dry matter%Check the product label and weigh it rather than relying only on scoops or volume.Hay feedingsper dayIt only shows an average amount; extended access and slow feeders are not the same as separate meals.Concentrate mealsper dayThe calculation splits concentrate evenly; always follow the product instructions.

Calculation resultUpdates instantly

hay + concentrate per day10.74 kg + 1.17 kg

Result details

10.5 kg total dry matter · 2.1% of body weight · 90% of dry matter from forage.

Inside the result

Updates as you change the inputs

Hay as fed10.74 kg/day

Concentrate as fed1.17 kg/day

Forage as a share of body weight1.9%

RESULT COMPARISON

Where does your result stand?

Reference range

Total daily dry matterWithin the general starting range

Your result: 2.1%
Reference: 2–2.5% of body weight per day
Difference: Within the range

The range is a general total dry-matter reference, not a complete ration. BCS, work, health, forage analysis and feed quality can require different amounts.

Hay per feeding if split evenly2.68 kg4 feedings · Forage is generally better offered frequently or for extended access, not as a few large meals.

Concentrate per meal0.39 kg0.08% of body weight per meal · 3 meals

Initial dry-matter range1.85–2.35%Indicative range to refine using weight, BCS, workload and feed analysis.

✓

No automatic limit exceeded
Still monitor weight and BCS, provide water and salt, and change every feed gradually.

This is an educational estimate for an adult horse, not a prescription. Concentrate may be unnecessary when good forage meets needs; brand, hay analysis, health, teeth, climate and workload require review by a veterinarian or equine nutritionist.

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CALCUPOP · HORSE HAY AND CONCENTRATE RATION

Horse hay and concentrate ration

Completed summary using the values currently in the calculator

Name________________________________Date____________

01 · Calculation inputs

Complete the calculator or use the blank spaces below.

02 · Result and useful details

Result and useful details

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03 · Reminders, checks and notes

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DOES THE RESULT LOOK WRONG?

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HOW IT WORKS

A result to understand, not just read.

Estimate a horse’s forage and concentrate starting range from body weight, workload and body condition. The tool works in dry matter so feeds with different moisture levels can be compared.

OFFICIAL SOURCES

merckvetmanual.com↗extension.umn.edu↗

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How does horse hay and concentrate ration work?+

Daily dry-matter intake is estimated as a percentage of body weight, then allocated between forage and concentrate and divided into meals with safety checks.

What should I check before relying on the result?+

Dental disease, laminitis risk, ulcers, pregnancy, growth and metabolic disorders need an equine veterinarian or qualified nutritionist.

RESULT GUIDE

How to use horse hay and concentrate ration

Estimate a horse’s forage and concentrate starting range from body weight, workload and body condition. The tool works in dry matter so feeds with different moisture levels can be compared.

01 · FORMULA

Calculation method

DM ≈ W × p

Daily dry-matter intake is estimated as a percentage of body weight, then allocated between forage and concentrate and divided into meals with safety checks.

02 · WORKED EXAMPLE

Practical example

Enter a realistic weight, workload and hay dry-matter percentage, then compare the output with the actual feed analysis.

The result shows daily forage and concentrate quantities, meal structure and warnings triggered by the inputs.

Dental disease, laminitis risk, ulcers, pregnancy, growth and metabolic disorders need an equine veterinarian or qualified nutritionist.

03 · HOW TO READ IT

How to interpret the result

Make feed changes gradually and monitor weight, manure, behaviour and body condition rather than following kilograms alone.
Change one input at a time to understand which assumption has the greatest effect on the result.

04 · LIMITS

What the estimate does not include

Dental disease, laminitis risk, ulcers, pregnancy, growth and metabolic disorders need an equine veterinarian or qualified nutritionist.
Use the result as a planning aid and confirm sensitive financial, health or animal-care decisions with the relevant document or qualified professional.