Keeping weight on senior horses can be difficult, especially during the winter months when they are exerting more energy to stay warm. When pastures become overgrazed and finding quality hay proves to be a challenge, it is not uncommon to see a decline in your horse’s topline.
I began researching this topic two years ago when I noticed that it was becoming increasingly difficult for my senior horse to maintain his ideal body weight. Since then, I have had multiple customers inquire about similar issues with their older companions. The following are three of my favorite products that helped put over 100 pounds on my senior horse.
One product I have had exceptional luck with is Dac oil. After consistently using it twice daily, I’ve noticed how much my mare has filled out, and how her coat and hooves have developed a beautiful gloss.
This palatable blend of vegetable and fish oil has a 98% fat content with Omega 3 & 6, making it an excellent choice for older horses that need additional calories. Fats and oils have long been used to increase the calorie content of feed, replace calories supplied by carbohydrates, and help reduce excitability in nervous horses.
This product is also rich in Vitamin E oil which helps to prevent muscle degeneration and inflammation, boosts the immune system by promoting white blood cell production and supports healthy nerve function.
This oil can be used regardless of age and activity level, and I have personally seen the difference it makes for horses both retired and in active training.
Another effective way to increase a horse’s body weight is by utilizing pelleted or cubed alfalfa. This roughage provides a rich source of digestible energy that contains a high level of protein for muscle building and repair, and essential calcium, vitamins, and minerals.
I find that soaked alfalfa is also easier for my senior horse to chew and helps minimize the dust inhalation that can occur with baled alfalfa. Additionally, alfalfa has been shown to buffer stomach acid and lower the stomach’s pH , therefore reducing the risk of gastric ulcers.
Lucky for me, feeding our cubed alfalfa is a much easier alternative to the baled version, as it can be regionally dependent and hard to come by.
Finally, the holy grail of weight gain and my personal favorite: beet pulp! Beet pulp is the fibrous material that is left over after the sugar has been extracted from beets. The remaining pulp is dried and shredded so that it can be ingested easier.
As a slow-release energy source, it provides a steady supply of fuel throughout the day without causing blood sugar spikes, making it an ideal choice for horses sensitive to sugar or starch.
With a low glycemic index, it has a minimal impact on blood glucose levels, which helps regulate horses prone to metabolic related disorders like laminitis, Cushing’s, insulin resistance, grain intolerance, PSSM, Equine Metabolic Syndrome, and tying-up.
When soaked before feeding, beet pulp keeps them hydrated throughout the day, which can be especially beneficial during the fall and winter months when water intake decreases and forage intake increases.
Consult with a Vet
As always, these additives should be gradually introduced. It is always best to consult a vet or nutritionist before making any dietary changes. These are meant to be fed in combination with forage that is appropriate for your horse’s lifestyle, age, and activity level. Regular dental visits are also essential in ensuring that your horse is able to consume the appropriate amount of feed and forage.
