Sure, that trailer […]. Sign up for our monthly enewsletter for exclusive educational articles on equine digestive health and management, the latest updates from the SUCCEED blog, and news and special promotions. All Rights Reserved. Statement: My horse is losing weight, so he needs more grain. Share This:. Related Articles:. Diagnosing and Managing Enteritis in Horses.
Enteritis is of […] Read More. Keeping Ulcers at Bay in Barrel Horses. These markets continue to explode with new research on the far-reaching […] Read More. A research team at the University of Glasgow vet school is using […] Read More. Professional Strategies for Healthy Horse Transport. Some of these products can be pricey, however, especially if your hard-working hard-keeper needs to stay on them long-term to keep his weight up. Corn oil is palatable to most horses, but you can also use canola, peanut or any other vegetable oil your horse likes.
Like with other dietary changes, oil needs to be introduced slowly, starting with a quarter cup per day, and adding another quarter cup every few days, up to a maximum of two cups for an average size horse—less for small horses and ponies.
Too much too fast, and your horse will develop diarrhea and steatorrhea fatty stools —his manure will have an oily sheen from undigested oils passing through his system.
Another problem with oils is they can go rancid, so be sure to store the bottle in a cool place and give it a sniff before feeding. To be safe, consider purchasing a rice bran product formulated for horses that contains added calcium to balance the ratio of the two minerals.
As with oil, rice bran needs to be added to the diet slowly, starting with about a cup at a time, working up to one or two pounds daily. Follow feeding instructions on the label for serving sizes for any commercial products. Grains, sweet feeds and other starch- and sugar-based concentrates had long been the high-calorie foods of choice for thin horses, especially those in hard work.
They are convenient to use, but the benefits come with a price: Feeds that are high in starch and sugar can pose some health risks if fed in large amounts. Commercial concentrates, which are formulated for complete, balanced nutrition, can be a valuable source of calories for a thin horse, but they must be used wisely. Then, follow the instructions on the label to introduce the feed slowly and carefully to his diet.
Never feed more than 0. If your hard-keeper or athlete needs more than that to gain weight, break his portion up into as many small meals as you can manage, spread throughout the day. He needs it to keep his gut functioning at its best. The basic concept behind fattening up a thin horse is fairly simple: Feed him more calories. But the devil is in the details. It may take some trial and error to find the right combination of forages, fats and concentrates to keep your horse healthy and strong.
Keeping weight on a perpetually thin horse can be tricky, but the effort will be worth it when you see him moving out across the pasture looking fit, strong and healthy.
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Repeat the weight tape two weeks after you've made a diet change. Record these numbers and measure your horse's weight regularly. Caring for the Underweight Horse. University of Minnesota Extension, Kentucky Equine Research , Feeding Practices In Horses. Veterinary Manual , Actively scan device characteristics for identification.
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