You have calculated the mortgage. You have estimated the property taxes. But have you calculated the grocery bill?
In Colorado, we don’t have year-round green pastures like Kentucky or Florida. For 6 to 8 months of the year, our pastures are dormant or covered in snow. This means you are the sole provider of calories for your herd.
Hay is often the single largest variable expense for horse owners in the Rockies. It is not just grass; it is a commodity traded like oil. The price fluctuates based on rainfall, fuel costs, and export demand.
Here is the realistic math on what it costs to feed a horse in our state.
What Is the Estimated Cost of Hay Per Horse, Per Year, in Colorado?
Quick Summary: Budgeting for the “White Gold”
- The baseline number: In a normal year, expect to spend $2,500 to $3,500 per horse annually on hay. This assumes you are feeding grass hay in small square bales.
- The “bulk” discount: If you have the equipment to handle large round bales (800+ lbs), you can drop that cost significantly, sometimes down to $1,500 per horse. However, you need a tractor and a feeder to manage them.
- The drought spike: Hay prices in Colorado are volatile. In a drought year, prices can double overnight. A $10 bale can become a $16 bale in February if supply runs low. You must have a “disaster buffer” in your bank account.
- The “feed store” premium: If you buy five bales at a time from the local feed store, you are paying the highest possible price. Buying your entire winter supply “off the field” in July is the single best way to save money.
In Colorado, hay is not a nice-to-have. For 6 to 8 months a year, it is the entire calorie plan.
1. The Math: How Much Do They Eat?
To budget, you need to know the volume.
The rule of thumb
- An average horse needs about 2% of its body weight in forage per day to maintain weight in winter.
The daily amount
- For a 1,000 lb horse, that is about 20 lbs of hay per day.
The annual load
- 20 lbs × 365 days = 7,300 lbs per year
- That is roughly 3.65 tons of hay per horse, per year.
Even with summer grazing, you will likely feed full hay rations from October through May.
2. Small Square Bales: Convenient but Costly
Most private horse owners rely on “small squares” (approx. 60–65 lbs) because they are easy to handle by hand.
The cost
- In the current market, a quality grass hay bale runs $10.00 to $14.00.
The math
- At 20 lbs/day, a 60 lb bale lasts about 3 days.
- You need about 120 bales per year per horse.
- 120 bales × $12.00 avg = $1,440 (conservative) to $2,500+ (realistic) depending on waste and cold weather spikes.
In sub-zero temperatures, horses burn more calories to stay warm. You will throw extra hay when it is -10°F. Realistically, budget $3,000 for a square-bale horse.
3. Large Round Bales: The Economy Option
If you have a tractor and a mud-free place to put it, “big rounds” are the budget saver.
The cost
- A 1,200 lb round bale might cost $180 to $250.
The savings
- The price per pound is usually 30% to 40% cheaper than small squares because there is less labor involved for the farmer.
The catch
- You cannot move them by hand. You need a skid steer or tractor with a bale spear.
- If you don’t use a “hay hut” or ring feeder, horses can trample and waste 30% of the hay—erasing your savings.
We Help You Plan the Logistics
Buying the property is just the start. We want you to thrive there.
Mark Eibner and Belinda Seville understand the local hay market. We can tell you which properties have the storage capacity to buy “off the field” (the cheapest option) and which ones have tight driveways that will force you to buy expensive retail hay. We help you look at the total cost of ownership, not just the mortgage payment.
Contact Us Today to discuss the realities of horse ownership in Colorado.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Hay Costs
Can I feed Alfalfa instead of Grass Hay?
Alfalfa is richer and higher in protein (and often cheaper per calorie), but it is too “hot” for many horses to eat as their only source of food. Most Colorado owners feed a “grass/alfalfa mix” or straight grass hay (Timothy/Brome/Orchard) to prevent weight gain and metabolic issues.
What is “Cow Hay” vs. “Horse Hay”?
Never buy “cow hay” for horses. Cow hay often contains weeds, dust, mold, or coarse stems that cows can digest but horses cannot. Moldy hay can kill a horse (colic) or cause permanent lung damage (heaves). The premium price for “horse hay” pays for cleanliness and safety.
Does growing my own hay save money?
Rarely on small acreage. Between the cost of irrigation water, fertilizer, equipment maintenance, and your time, it is usually cheaper to buy hay than to grow it on 10 or 20 acres. Farming is an economy of scale.