A mature, idle, average condition 1000-pound horse will typically eat how much hay per day?

A mature, idle horse in average condition typically requires about 1.5% to 2% of its body weight in forage daily. For a 1000-pound horse, this translates to approximately 15 to 20 pounds of hay per day.

Choosing the amount of 15 pounds indicates an understanding that a mature horse not in heavy work or growth stage will have a lower daily intake compared to an active or growing horse, which might require the upper range of that percentage to fulfill their nutritional needs. Therefore, 15 pounds is a reasonable estimate that will adequately sustain a mature horse in good health while not requiring excessive amounts of hay that could potentially lead to waste or weight issues.

It's important to note that the range of 20 to 25 pounds could be too high for an average idle horse, particularly if excess weight isn't needed. The key is to balance nutritional needs without overfeeding, so settling on 15 pounds fosters a more practical approach for maintaining the horse's health and well-being.