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Horse Calorie Needs

Calculate your horse's daily energy needs in Mcal and MJ based on weight and activity level

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๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ฐ All calculations are based on Danish rules, rates, and currency (DKK). This calculator is translated for convenience but applies exclusively to Denmark.

Calculate your horse's energy needs

Energy requirements for horses are typically measured in megacalories (Mcal) or megajoules (MJ) of digestible energy (DE). This calculator estimates your horse's daily energy needs based on weight and activity level using the recognised NRC formula.

The NRC formula for maintenance

The National Research Council (NRC) estimates maintenance energy as DE = 33.3 x weight^0.75 kcal/day, converted to Mcal. This base value is then adjusted with a multiplier based on workload: rest (1.0x), light work (1.25x), moderate work (1.5x) and hard work (2.0x).

What affects energy needs?

Beyond activity, energy needs are influenced by temperature, age, breed, body condition and metabolism. Cold weather increases needs by 10-20%, while hot weather can reduce appetite. Young growing horses and pregnant mares have additional requirements beyond maintenance.

From energy to feed

Once you know energy needs, you can calculate feed amounts. Typical hay contains about 8-9 MJ DE per kg dry matter, while oats contain about 12-13 MJ DE per kg. A 500 kg horse in moderate work needs approximately 100-110 MJ DE daily.

Signs of incorrect energy levels

Too little energy shows as weight loss, reduced performance and poor coat. Too much energy leads to obesity, increased risk of laminitis and behavioural problems. Monitor body condition regularly using body condition scoring.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between Mcal and MJ?

Mcal (megacalories) and MJ (megajoules) are both units of energy. 1 Mcal = 4.184 MJ. In Scandinavia MJ is typically used, while Mcal is more common in the USA. Both express digestible energy (DE), the energy the horse can actually utilise from feed.

How much energy does a resting horse need?

A 500 kg horse at rest needs approximately 16-17 Mcal (67-71 MJ) of digestible energy daily. This covers basic body processes such as breathing, digestion, body temperature and cell repair. Even horses at pasture without work need this maintenance energy.

Does energy need increase in winter?

Yes, cold weather increases a horse's energy needs by 10-20% as the body uses extra energy to stay warm. The lower critical temperature for a clipped horse is about 5ยฐC, and for each degree below this, energy needs increase by about 1%. Horses with winter coats have better insulation and lower additional needs.

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