Owners typically pay for forage, grain, and supplements to feed a Clydesdale, with major cost drivers including hay type, daily intake, and regional feed prices. The cost question often centers on how much roughage a draft horse needs and what supplemental feeds add to the budget. This guide provides practical price ranges in USD and concrete factors that shift the total.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daily forage (hay or pasture) | 4 | 8 | 16 | Based on 27–45 lb dry matter per day; prices vary by region and hay quality |
| Grain and concentrates | 1 | 3 | 8 | Typical 5–10 lb day one or two feeds |
| Supplements/minerals | 0.50 | 1.50 | 4 | Depends on needs and product |
| Pasture access value | 0 | 0 | 8 | Assumes seasonal grazing value when available |
| Total daily cost (all feeds) | 5.50 | 12 | 34 | Assumes a mix of roughage, grain, and supplements |
| Annualized estimate | 2,000 | 4,400 | 12,000 | Based on 365 days a year |
Assumptions: region, hay quality, hay bale size, and horse activity level
Overview Of Costs
Feeding a Clydesdale involves daily forage and occasional concentrates, with annual totals heavily influenced by hay price fluctuations and regional freight costs. In general, the total daily range for a mature Clydesdale is about $5.50 to $34, depending on forage quality, hay quantity, and how much grain or supplements are used. High-quality hay can raise daily costs, while good pasture can offset some expenses in season. For rough yardage, assume a typical 27–45 lb per day dry matter requirement, with grain added as needed for workload or weight maintenance.
Cost Breakdown
A detailed look at how a typical daily feeding budget is allocated helps owners plan ahead. A table below shows four cost components and how they contribute to total daily spend. The values are ranges and assume a non-working to moderately active Clydesdale kept in a mixed-care setting.
| Category | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forage | 4 | 8 | 16 | Hay or pasture; higher with lower quality forage |
| Grain/Concentrates | 1 | 3 | 8 | Depends on digestion and workload |
| Supplements | 0.5 | 1.5 | 4 | Minerals, joint care, fat supplements |
| Pasture value | 0 | 0 | 8 | Seasonal grazing often lowers hay need |
| Delivery/Storage | 0.50 | 1.50 | 3 | Cost to purchase and store feed |
| Total daily | 5.50 | 12 | 34 | Summation of categories |
Assumptions: region, hay quality, hay bale size, and horse activity level
What Drives Price
Key price drivers include forage type, hay bale weight, regional feed costs, and the horse’s workload. Forage costs rise with premium alfalfa or late-season hay and fall with abundant mid-range timothy or mixed grass hay. Regional freight and supply chains can create price gaps of 10–40 percent between coastal and inland markets. Workload also matters: a working Clydesdale or one in heavy conditioning uses more grain, vitamins, and fat supplements, shifting daily costs upward.
Factors That Affect Price
Several nuanced factors determine how much feeding a Clydesdale will cost. First, hay quality and bale size set baseline costs; second, the daily intake depends on body condition and pasture access; third, grain type and feeding frequency influence per-day spend; fourth, supplements come with both price and necessity depending on joint or electrolyte needs; fifth, regional price differences can swing totals by dozens of dollars per month. Consider annual price cycles when budgeting for winter hay surcharges.
Regional Price Differences
Prices vary by region and market size, with notable differences between urban, suburban, and rural areas. In the Northeast and West, premium alfalfa mixes can raise forage costs by 15–30 percent versus midwestern prairie hay. Rural markets may offer better bale pricing but higher transport costs if forage must be shipped to farms with limited storage. Suburban feed stores frequently charge mid-range prices due to supply and demand, while urban co-ops may carry seasonal price swings. Expect roughly ±10–25 percent deltas across these zones depending on hay type and season.
Real-World Pricing Examples
Concrete scenarios help translate ranges into the budgeting reality for owners. The following three cards illustrate Basic, Mid-Range, and Premium feed setups for a 1,800–2,000 lb Clydesdale kept on a mix of pasture and hay-based diet.
Basic scenario: Forage from mid-range round bales, occasional grain, minimal supplements. Specs: 28 lb/day forage, 4 lb grain, no added minerals. Labor: grazing and basic stall feeding. Hours: 0.25 per day. Total daily: about 6–8.50 USD; Annual: ~2,200–3,100 USD.
Mid-Range scenario: Higher-quality hay, steady grain, essential minerals. Specs: 34 lb forage, 6 lb grain, standard mineral mix. Labor: daily feeding routine and storage. Hours: 0.45 per day. Total daily: about 10–16 USD; Annual: ~3,650–5,800 USD.
Premium scenario: Premium alfalfa blend, yeast or fat supplements, joint support, and occasional treats. Specs: 40 lb forage, 8 lb grain, advanced supplement pack. Labor: two daily feeding sessions plus monitoring. Hours: 0.70 per day. Total daily: about 20–34 USD; Annual: ~7,300–12,400 USD.
Assumptions: region, hay type, and horse workload
Seasonality & Price Trends
Seasonal changes influence feed costs throughout the year. Winter increases hay demand and storage costs, while spring can lower hay prices if new harvests arrive. In drought-prone areas, forage scarcity can push prices higher and necessitate more concentrates to maintain weight. Off-season purchases often present savings opportunities when stores discount older stock or bulk purchase terms exist. Planning ahead for peak feeding months can bound total costs within a reasonable range.
Maintenance & Ownership Costs
Long-term feeding costs are part of the lifetime cost of ownership for a Clydesdale. Beyond daily feed, owners should account for hay storage, potential feed spoilage, and mineral testing. A budget line for routine supplement checks can prevent overfeeding or underfeeding, which in turn protects weight and health. Expect maintenance costs to contribute a few hundred dollars annually in storage or spoilage controls plus periodic supplement restocking.
Price At A Glance
For a practical snapshot, daily feeding often lands in a broad band. A draft horse on mixed forage and selective grain typically costs about 6–20 USD per day, with extremes above or below driven by hay quality, workload, and regional price shifts. If pasture dominates the diet, daily forage costs fall toward the lower end; if premium hay and supplements are used, daily costs move toward the higher end. Annual totals reflect 365 days and are sensitive to seasonal hay prices and transport costs.