When we verify that a horse is thin, with a less than desirable body condition, there are some factors to evaluate.
Make sure the horse is healthy
Certain health issues make gaining weight challenging, even under the best of circumstances.
A veterinarian should examine the horse's mouth to ensure that there are no dental abnormalities that cause the horse pain, which can make gripping and grinding food painful, limiting food intake.
A fecal egg count will determine if there is a significant parasite load in the gastrointestinal tract consuming essential nutrients for the horse. An endoscopic examination of the stomach will reveal the presence of gastric ulcers, a situation with high prevalence in sport horses.
Food
forage value
Providing good quality forage is perhaps the first factor to take into account in lean horses. Evaluating the forage that is provided is essential to know its nutritional value and make appropriate decisions regarding the use of that same forage or not (looking for a more suitable alternative).
If there is pasture, putting the animals on excellent quality pasture remains a great strategy for a horse to gain weight. When placing a horse on quality pasture the transition should be slow.
If good quality pasture is not available, you can supplement the grass hay with a good early maturing legume hay with pliable stems and plenty of leaves, which generally contains more energy than a good quality grass hay. Quality hay should ideally be constantly available to maintain a healthy gastrointestinal tract.
ALFALFA INTACOL
Opt for a concentrated food with a high energy content
To increase a horse's weight, you should choose a concentrated feed with a high energy content and, preferably, one that provides energy from sources such as starch, fat and fermentable fiber. Ensuring a complete vitamin and mineral profile is also essential.
In the case of horses with high sporting performance, they must be supplemented with food suitable for competition.
PALATIN
POWER UP
In the case of senior horses, with dental difficulties, preference should be given to a feed in the form of "porridge", enriched with linseed oil.
NATURE MASH
In the case of young horses, feed suitable for growing horses should be provided and fed according to their needs, avoiding energy excesses, as excesses may contribute to growth problems.
YOUNG
Pregnant mares, on the other hand, should have access to a different compound feed in the last third of pregnancy, as well as throughout the lactation period, as their needs increase.
EPOLDRIN
Complementation
High-calorie foods can be added to the concentrate feed in order to increase the energy density. For example, corn oil provides energy but offers a lot of omega 6 fatty acids, especially when combined with a cereal-rich diet. Flax oil and fish oil are two interesting alternatives to increase calories, these are rich in omega 3.
Certain cases may also benefit from a supplement that favors gastrointestinal performance, with substances that act as a buffer helping to reduce gastric acidity and which, by providing probiotics and prebiotics, favor the intestinal microbiota and digestive efficiency.
GASTROBALANCE
It is necessary to be patient
The effects of a dietary management for weight gain and improvement of body condition will be revealed over time and not immediately. Thus, one should think about continuity and not the immediate.