How to feed a horse to gain weight

Thoughts on feeding to increase weight.

[@goldenyearsacres9163]

This is exactly what I have been searching for. You answered most of my questions. Hubby & I took in a warmblood gelding rescue. Vet is coming in 5 days, but until then, we need to know right approach. I'm guessing a warmblood gelding should weigh 1500 maybe, IDK. I do know slowly increasing food volume is key. Thank you for this. The poor guy has ribs & hips sticking out everywhere. We are in Florida, so horse is going to probably burn more calories just sweating. We are giving alfalfa & timothy hay and slowly starting him on Seminole Bloom. Even though he seems to be eating okay, we believe his teeth are past due for a float, so that's next on our list.

[@emersontayten]

I know it's an older video, but still excellent. Thanks!

[@anniekekoegelenberg1301]

I have had to rehab several and have experienced working with rehabbing several OTTB( who received lots of high energy feed daily on the tracks). When those horses get off of the track they go through a rehab period where they look terrible. You never want to feed just concentrates to a horse especially at the amounts that this video is suggesting it can cause ulcers laminitis and other nasties. You want to always feed between 1-2% of the current body weight of the horse- if the horse is a hard keeper you will have to feed 2% of the body weight. You want to be feeding 70-90% roughage that is good quality lucern and mixes such as speedy beet are really good for picking up weight. The other 10-30% can be a concentrate feed like a good 12%. Stay away from sugary or grainy feeds(as these digest too easily and will be put out into energy too quickly and will not absorb properly) full fat soya, oats, sunflower cake are all good sources of slow burning energy. I like to add two table spoon to half a cup of coconut oil to the feed it helps coat the stomach lining especially horses that are ulcer prone. Overfeeding grains can be detrimental horses are designed toe eat roughage!

[@rickharris5485]

Great video. Thanks for posting.

[@haroldzuniga6062]

Thanks 🙏

[@abbieg3945]

Helpful thank you !

[@chastinej9193]

so if you see problems you need to back him off of the feed and build him back up?

[@makenzyjackson2461]

I have a mare who is a 15'3 thoroughbred named she is around 7 years old. She is 917 lbs right now and she looks just like the horse in the photo. She gets fed a quart a day of mare and foal feed which is high calorie and protein, she also gets a small scoop of weight gain supplement. For a while there she put on 100 lbs I was so happy then she lost it within days. I do work her at least 3 times a week for an hour or so. She also has unlimited hay and a large pasture. I don't know what to do, what would you recommend?

[@kaylashaw3221]

CrazI Simmer CrazI Simmer (just writing to help because I've been through the same thing) A horse will need to eat more calories than burn, making sure they have this opportunity will ensure they won't loose weight and can properly replenish themselves. But your worry isn't making sure your girl holds weight, it's making sure she gains it. Therefore she could probably go for a feed that's high in protein and carbohydrates. I would make sure she gets quite a lot of it until she reaches her optimum weight. Once this happens you can drop down the amount you feed her and make sure she just gets more calories than she works off. (the reason you feed more at the start is to put more weight on her and once you want her to stop gaining you have to lower it so she doesn't get too fat😂) You should also only ride every 2-3 days to make sure she has a day to re cooperate and 1-2 to eat and relax (this is just until she gets more condition). You should also only do basic flat work for 20-30 minutes when you ride because a horse in her condition won't have enough muscle and energy to replenish that hard of a workout. Feeding electrolytes will also replenish any liquid and energy she's lost during hard workouts.

[@Jes-Lynne]

If your mare looks like the horse in the picture, you should not be riding it.

[@noegaytan4422]

Hi I’m watching the video and I️ don’t get when you say 14 lb of feed it’s only grain or hay or a combination please let me know thanks

[@joyarnholtz2543]

Noe Gaytan he meant feed as in grain

[@hgarcia8339]

Hay is septate....