How Much Hay Does a Horse Eat in a Day? Alberta Owner Guide

If you're an Alberta horse owner, you've probably asked yourself this at least once — am I feeding enough hay? Too much? Just right? Getting hay intake right is key for your horse’s health, weight, and energy. This matters most during our long Prairie winters.

So, do horses eat hay every day? Absolutely. For most horses, hay is the foundation of their entire diet. In this guide, we explain how much hay a horse eats each day. We also cover what factors can change that amount. We also share which Alberta-grown hay options work best for different horses.

The Basic Rule:How Much Hay Does a Horse Eat in a Day?

The standard feeding guideline is simple: horses should consume 1.5% to 2.5% of their body weight in forage per day. For most horses, hay makes up the majority or all of that forage.

Here's what that looks like in real numbers:

Pro Tip: When in doubt, start at 2% and adjust based on your horse's body condition score. A good rule is that you should be able to feel — but not see — your horse's ribs.

Do Horses Need Hay 24/7?

This is one of the most common questions Alberta horse owners ask and the short answer is: yes, ideally.

Horses are natural grazers. In the wild, they eat small amounts of forage almost constantly up to 17 hours a day. Their digestive systems are designed for continuous forage intake, not two big meals. When horses go more than 4–6 hours without hay, it can lead to:

• Gastric ulcers from excess stomach acid
• Behavioural issues like cribbing or weaving
• Colic risk due to a slowed digestive system
• Weight loss and poor body condition

For most Alberta horses kept in stalls or dry lots, free-choice or slow-feeder hay access is the gold standard. Round bales work great for horses on pasture or in run-in sheds — they can eat at their own pace without you needing to manage multiple feedings per day.

Check out our 2025 Simpson South Timothy Round Bales a popular choice for Alberta horse owners who want reliable, free-choice hay access.

Alberta Winters Change Everything

Here in Alberta whether you're in Rocky View County, Cochrane, Airdrie, or Okotoks — winters hit hard. And that means your horse's hay needs go up, not down.

When temperatures drop below –10°C, horses burn significantly more calories just to stay warm. Their main heat source? Digesting hay. Hay fermentation in the hindgut generates body heat — it's your horse's built-in furnace.

General winter rule: increase hay by 10–15% for every 10°C drop below –10°C.

A 1,200 lb horse that needs 24 lbs of hay per day in fall might need 28–30 lbs on a –25°C January night. Always make sure your horse has access to extra hay before a cold snap hits and consider a round bale to keep them topped up overnight.

How Horse Type & Activity Level Affects Hay Intake

Not every horse needs the same amount. Here's how to think about it:

1. Idle or pasture horses:Lower end (1.5%). If they have any grass access, reduce hay accordingly.
2. Working or performance horses:Higher end (2–2.5%), plus a quality concentrate feed to meet energy demands.
3. Senior horses 15+ years:May need softer hay or more frequent smaller feedings, plus senior-formulated feed.
4. Pregnant or nursing mares:Higher protein and energy requirements — alfalfa-mix hay is often recommended.
5. Easy keepers or metabolic horses: Lower hay amounts, and choose low-NSC (sugar/starch) hay varieties.

For performance horses, pairing good hay with a quality feed supplement makes a big difference. Our Hi-Pro Step Right Step 2 – Peak Performance is designed exactly for this. Senior horses do well with the Step Right Step 6 Senior Feed alongside their daily hay ration.

Can Horses Eat Alfalfa Hay? Timothy vs. Alfalfa Explained

Yes horses can absolutely eat alfalfa hay, and many do very well on it. But it's not right for every horse. Here's the key difference:

100% Timothy Hay:

1. Lower NSC (sugars and starch) safer for easy keepers and metabolic horses
2. Lower protein great for maintenance-level horses
3. Ideal for horses with laminitis risk or insulin resistance

Timothy/Alfalfa Mix:

1. Higher protein and energy great for young, growing horses
2. Excellent for performance horses, nursing mares, or underweight horses
3. Higher calcium beneficial for bone development

At Horse Creek Hay & Feed, every bale we sell comes with a full hay analysis so you know exactly what NSC, protein, and energy levels you're getting. No guessing.

Here are some of our top 2025 picks:

1. 2025 Horse Creek Hay East Timothy — 100% Timothy, low NSC, great for easy keepers
2.  2025 Buffalo Ranch Timothy/Alfalfa — great energy boost for performance horses
3. 2025 Chaytors West Timothy/Alfalfa — on sale now, popular with local Alberta owners
4.  2025 Bryant 2nd Cut Timothy — premium 2nd cut, higher protein than 1st cut

5 Quick Tips for Alberta Horse Owners

1. Weigh your hay at least once — a "flake" varies widely by bale. Weigh it once so you know your baseline.
2. Always provide fresh water — horses eating dry hay drink 8–12 gallons of water per day. Heated water buckets in winter are a must.
3. Store hay off the ground — use pallets and cover with tarps to prevent mold and moisture damage.
4. Order ahead in fall — quality Alberta hay sells out fast. Don't wait until January.
5. Set up a recurring order — never scramble for hay last minute. Our Recurring Order program keeps your supply consistent all season.

Ready to Stock Up on Quality Alberta Hay?

Feeding your horse the right amount of quality, tested hay is one of the simplest things you can do for their long-term health and it pays off every single day. Whether you have one horse or a whole herd, we have the right hay for your situation.

Horse Creek Hay & Feed is based in Rocky View County, AB, All our hay comes with full nutritional analysis so you always know what you're feeding.

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