As an equine companion, you must be worried about your equine’s weight, diet, and overall quality of life. An ideal body weight is important for maintaining essential activities, performance, and overall well-being of your horse.

If horses are not provided with good nutrition, they may not be living a healthy life. They may become prone to infections and other illnesses due to decreased immunity. Some horses may find it difficult to put on weight due to various reasons, like age, genetics, diet, exercise, stress, high metabolism, health issues like dental problems, ulcers, or any other illnesses. It is important to find the root cause of the problem before starting on any horse weight gain supplement to ensure maximum benefit of the supplements.

Weight gain supplements for horses are available in various forms, like powders, liquids, pellets, and feeds.

Key ingredients of weight gain supplements in horses

The most common nutrients in horse weight gain supplements include carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids. It is necessary to keep in mind that hydration is no less important when ensuring weight gain in horses.

Energy

When it comes to weight gain in horses, energy is the most important component in your horse's diet. Carbohydrates and fats are the primary sources of energy for horses. Grains like oats, barley, and corn are rich in carbohydrates, while vegetable oils and rice bran are rich in fats.

Note: Carbohydrates like grains may cause digestive issues; hence, it is important to balance them with forage.

Proteins

Proteins are of the most importance for muscle development and repair. Sources of proteins for horse weight gain include legumes (like alfalfa and clover hay), soybean meal, canola meal, and linseed meal.

Proteins are vital for muscle development and repair, which is crucial for healthy weight gain. Quality protein sources include:

Vitamins and minerals

Vitamins and minerals are crucial in maintaining the overall health of your horse, including immunity, energy metabolism, bone health, and muscle function. The most common vitamins required for weight gain in horses include vitamins A, E, and B, generally found in forage and grains.

The most commonly used horse mineral supplement are calcium, phosphorous, magnesium, selenium, and zinc, generally found in forage, grains, fortified feeds, and mineral blocks.

Note: Calcium and phosphorous should always be added in the right proportion (2:1 ratio)

Hydration

Your horse needs to stay well hydrated as it is crucial for nutrient absorption. This can be achieved by assuring that your horse always has access to clean and fresh water. Hydration also helps maintain a healthy digestive system, which may prevent colic- a hindrance to weight gain in horses.

Essential fatty acids

Fatty acids like omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids may help reduce inflammation, maintain healthy skin and coat, and support the overall health of your horse. The most common sources of these essential amino acids include flaxseeds, fish oil, chia seeds, algal oil, and vegetable oils.

Digestive enzymes

Digestive enzymes are important when it comes to weight gain supplements as they may help in better absorption of nutrients. Prebiotics and probiotics can be added to support digestive health to ensure better absorption of nutrients.

A balanced approach is needed for gaining weight in horses. Hence, it is always better to consult a veterinarian or equine nutritionist before you start your horse on a specific diet or any supplement for that matter.

As an equine companion, you must keep in mind that these supplements should be gradually included in your horse’s diet. Putting your horse on high amounts of supplements can disrupt their digestive system.   

Once your horse starts receiving the required nutrients in the diet, weight gain may become easier, which can eventually improve the performance and overall health of your horse.