Horses that eat the most
Annual food cost, computed from breed weight via the vet RER/MER formula. The top pick is the Percheron.
| # | Breed | Size | Food cost/yr | Lifetime cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Percheron | Giant | $3,660 | $178,300 |
| 2 | Shire | Giant | $3,515 | $146,500 |
| 3 | Belgian Draft | Giant | $3,370 | $134,700 |
| 4 | Clydesdale | Giant | $3,295 | $139,100 |
| 5 | Friesian | Large | $2,495 | $114,800 |
| 6 | Hanoverian (Warmblood) | Large | $2,385 | $177,200 |
| 7 | Thoroughbred | Large | $2,130 | $134,000 |
| 8 | American Quarter Horse | Large | $2,020 | $130,900 |
| 9 | Appaloosa | Large | $2,020 | $129,700 |
| 10 | American Paint Horse | Large | $2,020 | $130,500 |
| 11 | Tennessee Walking Horse | Large | $1,985 | $141,900 |
| 12 | Haflinger | Medium | $1,985 | $129,200 |
| 13 | Morgan | Large | $1,910 | $129,200 |
| 14 | Standardbred | Large | $1,910 | $124,200 |
| 15 | Andalusian | Large | $1,910 | $143,700 |
| 16 | Arabian | Medium | $1,765 | $127,600 |
| 17 | Mustang | Medium | $1,690 | $114,800 |
| 18 | Icelandic Horse | Medium | $1,595 | $154,700 |
| 19 | Welsh Pony | Small | $1,325 | $119,000 |
| 20 | Shetland Pony | Small | $1,070 | $104,400 |
Ranked from our sortable database. Food = vet RER/MER formula; insurance = NAPHIA average × breed health-risk tier. US estimates.
Which horse eats the most?
The largest breeds — food intake scales with metabolic body weight.