About feeding a horse / pony
Horses are large hindgut fermenters designed to graze forage almost continuously — a horse's gut is built to have small amounts of fibre passing through it nearly all the time. Forage, not hard feed, is the foundation of every healthy horse's diet.
How much should a horse / pony eat?
Calorie needs use the veterinary formula 70 × weight(kg)0.75 (the Resting Energy Requirement), multiplied by a lifestyle factor of ×1.4 for a typical horse / pony at the life stage shown. Enter your own animal's details in the calculator for an exact figure.
| Body weight | Daily calories |
|---|---|
| 200 kg | 5212 kcal |
| 300 kg | 7064 kcal |
| 400 kg | 8765 kcal |
| 500 kg | 10362 kcal |
| 600 kg | 11881 kcal |
| 700 kg | 13337 kcal |
| 800 kg | 14742 kcal |
| 900 kg | 16103 kcal |
What to feed
A horse should eat 1.5-3% of its body weight in dry matter daily, the majority as forage (pasture or hay). Hard feed (concentrates) is added only when forage cannot meet energy demands — for hard-working horses, broodmares or underweight animals. Constant access to fresh water and salt is essential.
How often to feed
Forage should be available as close to continuously as possible; long gaps without food raise ulcer risk. Concentrates, when needed, are split into small frequent meals rather than one large one.
Common feeding mistakes
- Feeding large grain meals, which overload the hindgut and risk colic and laminitis.
- Long fasting gaps that increase gastric ulcer risk.
- Too much rich spring grass for laminitis-prone horses and ponies.
- Not adjusting feed to actual workload and body condition.
Weight & health
Both obesity (laminitis, equine metabolic syndrome) and being underweight are common. Most leisure horses can be maintained on good forage alone. Condition-score regularly and weigh feed rather than guessing scoops.
Frequently asked questions
How much should I feed my horse per day?
A horse should eat 1.5-3% of its body weight in feed daily. A 500 kg horse at maintenance needs roughly 7.5-12.5 kg of dry matter, mostly as hay or pasture.
How much hay does a horse need?
At maintenance, roughly 1.5-2% of body weight in hay — about 7.5-10 kg a day for a 500 kg horse — if pasture is limited. Forage should always be the largest part of the diet.
When does a horse need hard feed?
Only when forage can't meet energy needs — for horses in hard work, lactating mares, growing youngstock, or underweight animals. Many leisure horses need no concentrates at all.
How do I feed a laminitis-prone horse or pony?
Restrict rich grass and sugary feeds, prioritise low-sugar forage, and keep the animal at a lean body condition. Work closely with your vet on any metabolic case.