A range is more honest than one “perfect” number
The source range reflects total feed in the University of Minnesota guidance, and the source says at least 75% should be forage for most horses. Because pasture, concentrates, and other feeds affect actual hay, HayRatio keeps assumptions visible and never claims the output is exact.
What changes individual forage needs?
Forage quality and dry matter, pasture intake, body condition, exercise, climate, age, dental health, and other feed all matter. A simple body-weight percentage cannot replace forage analysis or professional ration evaluation.
Use the result for practical planning
Once you and your professional team have a working target, use the hay bale calculator to estimate whole bales or the hay cost calculator to compare purchases.
Forage planning questions
What is a horse forage planning range?
It is a starting range used to organize hay purchasing and portioning, not a prescribed ration. HayRatio shows 1.5%–2.5% of adult body weight and lets the user select a planning percentage within that range.
Is 2% of body weight always the right hay amount?
No. Two percent is a common planning target, but actual hay depends on pasture, other feed, forage analysis, body condition, workload, climate, management, and professional guidance.
Does the 1.5%–2.5% source refer only to hay?
The University of Minnesota source describes total daily feed, including forage plus grains. HayRatio uses the range as a transparent forage-planning starting point and warns that other feed changes actual hay needs.