How To Make a Horse Gain Weight

Best Foods for Weight Gain

Hay is the largest component of a horse’s diet, and quality varies significantly. Horses should eat between 1.5-2% of their body weight in quality hay daily if pasture isn’t readily available. Often horses need supplementation of hay in winter even if on ample pasture in a seasonal climate. Alfalfa is more calorie-dense than grass hay, which is more calorie-dense than straw.1

Rapid weight gain can be tricky to achieve in a horse, as the microbes that live in a horse’s gastrointestinal tract are very sensitive to change. However, some fibers, concentrates, and grains are superior to others in encouraging safe weight gain. Beet pulp is an excellent source of fiber that also promotes safe increases in body condition. It should be soaked before feeding

Concentrates higher in fat and protein will also promote weight gain more safely than grains high in sugar, as the latter cause rapid shifts in gut microbial population and may lead to colic. Oils (corn, canola, flax, and commercial equine-specific formulas) provide a dense calories in the form of fat without starch. They are especially useful in starch-sensitive horses, such as those with gastrointestinal disease or previous laminitis.2 Any addition of grain or oil should be made slowly over a period of one or two weeks to give the horse’s gut time to adjust.

All in all, fattening up a skinny horse first requires a bit of detective work for you and your veterinarian. Rule out health problems such as dental issues, high parasite loads, systemic illness, and environmental factors such as herd competition first. Then, assess roughage quality and add concentrates and oils slowly, with emphasis on fiber, protein, and fat above sugars and easily digestible starches.