Alfalfa Pellet Feeding Planner
Calculate safe alfalfa pellet amounts by bodyweight and goal. et pre-ride ulcer buffer, soaking ratios, estimated Ca:P balance, and a printable day plan.
Alfalfa Pellet Feeding Planner
Daily pellet ranges, pre-ride buffer, soaking plan, and Ca:P balance — by bodyweight and goal
Enter weight and goal. Keep ≥50% of forage as long-stem hay or pasture. Read the full guide →
Horse & goal
Forage & soak
Metabolic & NSC
Fine-tune forage totals and minerals. Use typical Ca & P or enter lab values.
Totals
Minerals (Ca & P)
Results
Daily pellets, per-meal plan, pre-ride snack, soaking water, and an estimated Ca:P ratio. See the full guide →
Amounts are a starting point. Adjust every 10–14 days based on body condition, work, and manure quality.
Daily pellets (as-fed)
Range
2.2 lb – 5.5 lb
Starting point
3.9 lb per day (2 meals)
Per meal
1.9 lb
Pre-ride buffer snack
Typical
0.45–0.90 kg (1.0–2.0 lb) 30–60 min pre-ride
Soaking plan
Method
Dry feed.
Water per meal
—
Estimated Ca:P balance
Assumptions
Total forage 2% BW; ≥50% long-stem hay
Ca:P ratio (approx.)
2.43:1
- Aim for 1.5–2.0:1 across the full ration.
Day plan snapshot
| Forage base | Timothy / mixed grass |
| Long-stem hay (est.) | 18.1 lb per day |
| Pellets (start) | 3.9 lb per day |
| Meals | 2 meals · 1.9 lb each |
| Soaking | Dry feed. |
More tools: Horse Weight & Body Condition · Gestation Calculator · Interactive horse anatomy
Frequently Asked Questions
How many alfalfa pellets should I feed per day?
As a supplement to hay, start around 0.2–0.5% of bodyweight per day (as-fed). A 500 kg horse typically starts at 1.0–2.5 kg/day split into 2 meals. Reassess every 10–14 days.
What is a good pre-ride amount for ulcer comfort?
Feed 0.45–0.9 kg (1–2 lb) of alfalfa pellets 30–60 minutes before work. This small meal helps buffer stomach acid. Keep grain light around exercise.
Do alfalfa pellets need to be soaked?
Not required, but soaking reduces choke risk and supports hydration. Use 1:1 water:pellets for a mash (10–20 min) or 2:1 for a soup (15–30 min). Soak longer in cold water.
Are alfalfa pellets safe for EMS or easy keepers?
Use only tested low-NSC pellets and limit to 0.05–0.2% of bodyweight per day within a grass-hay base. Monitor body condition and neck crest and adjust cautiously.
Can alfalfa pellets replace hay?
No. Pellets are short fiber and do not provide chew time. Keep at least half of total forage as long-stem hay or pasture. Use alfalfa cubes if replacing a larger share of hay.
How do I balance calcium and phosphorus when using alfalfa?
Alfalfa is high in calcium. Pair with grass hay and a ration balancer so the whole diet stays near a Ca:P ratio of about 1.5–2:1.
When should I switch to cubes instead of pellets?
If pellets begin replacing a large share of hay or your horse needs more chew time, move part of the allocation to alfalfa cubes and keep long-stem hay in the diet.
What signs tell me to adjust the plan?
Unwanted weight gain, soft/flaky manure, or bolting feed. Reduce pellets 10–20%, extend transitions, and make soaking mandatory for choke-prone horses.
Does the planner replace nutrition advice?
No. It gives evidence-informed starting ranges. For complex cases—ulcers under treatment, EMS/PPID, or performance peaks—consult your veterinarian or an equine nutritionist.