What is the best way to put weight on a horse? The best way to put weight on a horse involves a careful, step-by-step approach focusing on diet, exercise, health checks, and environment. You must first talk to your veterinarian to find out why your horse lost weight. Then, you can make changes to the food plan and routine. This guide will help you through every step of feeding underweight horse safely and effectively.
Why Is My Horse Losing Weight?
Before trying to put weight on your horse, you must know why they lost weight in the first place. Simply adding more food might not solve the problem if there is an underlying issue. Managing weight loss in horses starts with finding the root cause.
Checking for Health Issues
A horse losing weight when it seems to be eating enough points to a health problem. A vet needs to check your horse first.
- Dental Problems: Horses need good teeth to chew food well. Bad teeth mean poor digestion.
- Parasites: Worms steal nutrients from your horse’s gut. Regular deworming is key.
- Illness: Chronic diseases like Cushing’s or ulcers can make weight gain hard.
- Stress: High stress levels burn extra calories and can lower appetite.
Once the vet gives your horse a clean bill of health, or once you have a plan for managing an existing condition, you can focus on diet for horse weight gain supplements.
Assessing Your Horse’s Current Body Condition
How do you know how much weight your horse needs to gain? We use a system called the Body Condition Score (BCS). This score helps track progress.
The Henneke Body Condition Scoring System
The BCS scale runs from 1 (very thin) to 9 (very fat). Most healthy horses should score between 5 and 6.
| BCS Score | Description | What It Looks Like |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Poor | Ribs, hip bones, and backbone stick out sharply. |
| 3 | Thin | Ribs are easily visible. Little fat cover. |
| 5 | Moderate | Ribs can be felt easily, but not seen. Some fat cover. |
| 7 | Fat | Fat covers the ribs. Difficult to feel ribs. |
| 9 | Obese | Heavy fat deposits on neck, flank, and tailhead. |
Your goal is increasing horse body condition score slowly. Aim for a gain of about half a point every month.
Building a Sound Diet Plan for Weight Gain
To gain weight, your horse needs more energy (calories) than it burns daily. You achieve this by feeding more calories, not just more bulk. The best feed for horse weight gain focuses on safe, energy-dense sources.
The Foundation: Good Quality Forage
For most horses, forage (hay and grass) should make up the bulk of the diet—at least 1% to 2.5% of their body weight daily.
- Grass vs. Hay: Good quality pasture grass is great in season. When grass is scarce, switch to hay.
- Alfalfa (Lucerne): Alfalfa hay is higher in protein and calories than grass hay. It is often a good choice for hard keepers needing to gain weight. Use it mixed with grass hay. Too much alfalfa alone can cause digestive upset in some horses.
- Hay Analysis: If you are serious about weight gain, test your hay. This tells you the exact calorie and protein content.
Adding Concentrates for Extra Calories
If forage alone does not provide enough energy, you need to add concentrates. Concentrates are usually grain-based or commercial pellets.
High-Calorie Feed for Horses
When picking a concentrate, look for high-calorie feed for horses. These feeds are designed to be rich in energy but easy to feed in smaller amounts.
- Oils and Fats: Adding fat is the easiest way to boost calories without adding much bulk. Fat has more than twice the calories of carbohydrates. Good sources include flaxseed, rice bran, or straight vegetable oil (like soybean or canola oil).
- Pelleted Feeds: Many commercial senior or “all-purpose” feeds are formulated to be calorie-dense. They often contain added oils or beet pulp for energy.
Caution on Grain: Simple grains like oats or corn are high in starch. Feeding too much starch too quickly can cause serious gut issues like colic or laminitis. It is better to use a balanced, low-starch, high-fat feed.
Key Nutrients for Muscle and Fat
Weight gain involves both fat and muscle. You need protein for muscle and fat for energy storage.
- Protein: Look for feeds with 12% to 16% crude protein if the horse is very thin or older. Protein helps build muscle mass alongside fat reserves.
- Vitamins and Minerals: Do not forget essential vitamins and minerals. A balanced diet ensures the horse can use the extra calories effectively.
Implementing a Strategic Feeding Schedule
How you feed is as important as what you feed. A good feeding schedule for horse weight gain spreads meals out.
Small, Frequent Meals
A horse’s digestive system works best when fed small amounts often. This mimics grazing.
- Aim for 3 to 5 meals a day. If you feed only twice a day, the large gaps mean the stomach acid builds up, and digestion suffers.
- Never feed large grain meals. A good rule is to feed no more than 4 to 5 pounds of grain or concentrate per meal for an average-sized horse. Over that amount risks digestive upset.
Slow Introduction of New Feeds
This is crucial for safe weight gain for horses. If you suddenly change the diet, the microbes in the hindgut get confused. This can lead to diarrhea or colic.
- Start Slow: Add the new feed at just 25% of the planned amount for the first week.
- Gradual Increase: Increase by 25% each week until you reach the target amount. This process should take at least three to four weeks.
Hydration is Non-Negotiable
Water is essential for digestion. If a horse is dehydrated, it cannot properly break down and absorb nutrients. Ensure fresh, clean water is always available. Warm water in winter often encourages better intake.
Utilizing Horse Weight Gain Supplements Wisely
While a solid base diet is the main tool, supplements to help horse gain weight can provide an extra edge, especially for picky eaters or horses with absorption issues.
Fat Supplements
These are excellent for adding calories without extra bulk or starch.
- Stabilized Rice Bran: High in digestible energy and healthy fats. Ensure you use stabilized rice bran, as unstabilized versions spoil quickly and can cause digestive upset.
- Vegetable Oil: Easily added to the concentrate feed. Start with just one ounce per day and slowly increase up to 4–8 ounces daily, depending on the horse’s needs and tolerance. Mix it well with the feed.
Digestive Aids
If the horse struggles to utilize feed, digestive aids can help.
- Probiotics and Prebiotics: These support a healthy hindgut flora, which is key to breaking down forage. A healthy gut absorbs more nutrients from the same amount of food.
- Digestive Enzymes: These can help break down fats and proteins, making nutrients more available.
Appetite Stimulants
Sometimes the issue is not the food quality but the desire to eat. Addressing poor appetite in horses is vital before weight gain can start.
- Gastrogard/Ulcer Prevention: If ulcers are suspected (even if minor), treating them can massively improve appetite.
- Flavoring: Adding things like molasses (in moderation due to sugar content), apple juice, or commercial appetite enhancers can encourage reluctant eaters.
| Supplement Type | Best For | How It Helps Weight Gain |
|---|---|---|
| Vegetable Oil/Flax | Boosting calories quickly | Adds high energy density without bulk. |
| Stabilized Rice Bran | Improving coat and adding calories | Easy to digest source of fat and fiber. |
| Probiotics | Poor digesters or post-antibiotics | Improves nutrient absorption in the hindgut. |
| High-Quality Protein Pellets | Building muscle alongside fat | Supplies essential amino acids for tissue repair. |
Adjusting Exercise for Weight Gain
Exercise plays a dual role. Too much hard work burns too many calories. Too little can lead to dullness or muscle loss.
Low-Intensity Movement
For a horse needing to gain weight, the goal is gentle movement, not strenuous training.
- Hand Walking: Gentle walking helps circulation and keeps the horse active without burning excessive energy needed for weight building.
- Turnout Time: Allow plenty of time in a safe pasture or paddock. Movement on soft ground helps maintain fitness without heavy strain.
If the horse is recovering from illness or is very underweight (BCS 3 or below), focus almost entirely on slow movement and eating until they reach a BCS of 4.
Monitoring Progress and Making Adjustments
Putting weight on takes time. You need patience and consistent checking.
Tracking Weight Gain
Do not rely only on the mirror. Use objective measurements.
- Weigh Tapes: Use a weight tape monthly to track pounds gained or lost.
- BCS Checks: Score the horse monthly. Are you increasing horse body condition score by about 0.5 points per month? If not, you need to increase calories.
Adjusting the Diet Based on Results
If the horse is not gaining weight after 4–6 weeks on the increased diet:
- Increase Calories: Add more high-calorie feed for horses or a bit more fat supplement. Do this slowly, only adding about 10–15% more calories per week.
- Re-check Health: If intake is high but weight is stagnant, call the vet again. The underlying issue might not be fully managed.
If the horse is gaining too fast (more than 1 point on the BCS in a month), reduce the added calories slightly to ensure safe weight gain for horses and avoid fat buildup around the neck or ribs too quickly.
Special Considerations for Older Horses
Older horses often struggle with weight gain due to aging teeth, less efficient digestion, and sometimes underlying conditions.
Feeding Senior Horses
For geriatric horses, focus on digestibility.
- Soaked Feeds: Senior feeds or beet pulp should often be soaked into a mash. This makes it much easier to chew and digest.
- High Protein, High Fat: Older horses often need higher protein levels to maintain muscle mass.
- Gut Support: Good horse weight gain supplements focused on gut health are very important for seniors.
Managing Comfort
Ensure the horse is warm in winter. A thin horse uses a huge amount of energy just staying warm. Providing a well-fitting blanket reduces the need to burn calories on thermoregulation, allowing those calories to go toward weight gain instead. Providing shelter from wind and rain is also crucial.
Environmental Factors Affecting Weight
A horse’s environment strongly influences how many calories it burns or absorbs.
Stable Management
- Stress Reduction: Minimize sudden changes in routine, new horses arriving, or loud noises. A calm horse eats better.
- Herd Dynamics: Is the horse being bullied away from the feed bin? If so, you must separate them during feeding times. This directly relates to addressing poor appetite in horses—if they feel unsafe, they will not eat.
- Bedding: If using straw bedding, some horses will nibble on it. While straw provides bulk, it offers low nutritional value and can fill the gut without adding necessary calories. Switch to shavings if you suspect straw consumption is replacing hay intake.
Winter Weight Management
Weight loss accelerates in cold weather because the horse burns energy to stay warm.
- Increased Forage: In very cold weather, increase the amount of hay offered, especially overnight. Free access to hay keeps the digestive system working and generates internal heat.
- Blanketing: As mentioned, proper blanketing is essential for energy conservation.
Summary: Steps to Successful Weight Gain
Putting weight on a horse is a marathon, not a sprint. Consistency and observation are your best tools.
- Vet Check First: Rule out ulcers, parasites, and dental issues.
- Establish BCS: Know your starting point and set a realistic goal (0.5 points per month).
- Prioritize Forage: Ensure high-quality hay intake is met first.
- Introduce Concentrates Slowly: Use high-calorie feed for horses designed for weight gain, focusing on fats over starches.
- Use Supplements Wisely: Consider horse weight gain supplements like oils or probiotics if diet alone isn’t working.
- Gentle Exercise: Keep them moving lightly, but don’t burn off the extra calories.
- Monitor Closely: Weigh and score the horse monthly to adjust the plan.
By methodically following these steps, you can help your horse achieve a healthy weight and improved overall condition.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How quickly should a horse gain weight?
For safe weight gain for horses, aim for about 0.5 to 1 pound per day, which translates to gaining about 1 to 1.5 Body Condition Score points over 4 to 6 months. Gaining weight too fast can cause fat deposits in undesirable places and strain the metabolism.
Can I just feed my horse more hay to make it gain weight?
Yes, increasing good quality hay is the safest first step. Hay is high in fiber, which is great for gut health. However, if the horse isn’t gaining weight on an increased hay diet, it likely needs a more concentrated energy source, like fats or specialized concentrates, which are the best feed for horse weight gain when forage isn’t enough.
What is the safest way to add fat to a horse’s diet?
The safest way is to slowly introduce vegetable oils (like canola or corn oil) or stabilized rice bran. Start with 1–2 tablespoons of oil mixed into their feed once a day and increase slowly over several weeks. Always ensure the horse has plenty of water, as high-fat diets require more water for proper digestion.
Are there specific feeds for feeding underweight horse?
Yes, look for feeds labeled as “Weight Builder,” “Senior Feed,” or “High-Fat/Low-Starch” formulas. These are designed to deliver high calories from digestible fiber and fat sources rather than high levels of molasses or corn.
What should I do if my horse suddenly stops eating?
This requires immediate attention. Addressing poor appetite in horses is critical. First, check the feed for spoilage. If the feed is fine, call your veterinarian immediately. A sudden refusal to eat can signal colic, pain, or severe illness.