Some horses gain weight just looking at lush pasture. Others struggle to maintain condition even with heavy feeding. No two horses are alike — which is why effective weight management requires observation, consistency, and knowledge.
Let’s explore how to keep your horse at a healthy weight, how to feed wisely, and what signs to watch for to prevent problems before they start.
Understanding Body Condition: The First Step in Weight Management
Before adjusting a diet, you need to understand where your horse falls on the Body Condition Score (BCS) scale — a system ranging from 1 (emaciated) to 9 (obese). Most horses should maintain a score around 4 to 5.
A proper assessment includes checking:
- along the ribs
- around the tailhead
- over the withers
- behind the shoulders
- across the neck crest
- over the spine and loin
A horse with a healthy BCS should have:
- ribs that are easily felt but not dramatically visible
- a smooth topline
- no pronounced fat pockets
- good muscling appropriate to age and workload
Regular scoring helps you catch subtle changes in weight before they become serious problems.
The Foundation of Every Diet: Forage First
Horses evolved to eat forage — grass and hay — throughout the day. It should be the largest component of their diet, ideally making up 1.5–2.5% of their body weight in hay or pasture daily.
Benefits of forage-based feeding include:
- steady digestive function
- reduced risk of ulcers
- calmer behavior
- improved nutrient absorption
- better weight maintenance
Knowing your forage matters. Hay can vary dramatically in calories and nutrients depending on maturity, type, and growing conditions.
Grass Hay
Common types: timothy, orchard, brome, fescue
- Best for easy keepers
- Moderate calories
- Good for weight maintenance
Legume Hay
Common types: alfalfa, clover
- Higher in protein and calories
- Great for hard keepers, seniors, and horses in heavy work
- Not recommended as the sole forage for overweight horses
Testing your hay can provide valuable information about protein, sugar, and caloric content.
Managing Weight: Easy Keepers vs. Hard Keepers
Every horse has its own metabolic tendencies. Understanding your horse’s type helps guide feeding decisions.
Easy Keepers
These horses gain weight easily, often requiring careful rationing and low-calorie forage.
Signs of an easy keeper:
- gains weight with minimal feed
- has a thick, cresty neck
- fat deposits over ribs or tailhead
- may be at risk of laminitis or metabolic syndrome
Management strategies:
- choose lower-calorie grass hay
- soak hay to reduce sugar content (especially for metabolic horses)
- use slow-feed hay nets to extend eating time
- limit or eliminate access to lush pasture
- ensure daily exercise
- avoid high-calorie concentrates unless medically required
Be vigilant — overweight horses face increased risks of laminitis, insulin resistance, and joint stress.
Hard Keepers
These horses struggle to put on or keep weight. Causes vary: metabolism, age, dental issues, parasites, environment, or workload.
Signs of a hard keeper:
- ribs easily visible
- difficulty maintaining muscling
- high energy expenditure
- weight loss in winter
Management strategies:
- provide higher-quality forage (alfalfa is excellent)
- add fat sources like stabilized rice bran or vegetable oil
- feed small, frequent meals
- include beet pulp or soaked hay cubes
- use senior feeds that offer digestible fiber
- check teeth regularly
- address underlying health issues
A hard keeper often benefits from a diet rich in calories but gentle on the digestive tract.
When to Use Concentrates and Grain
Not every horse needs grain. Many thrive on forage alone, especially if lightly ridden.
However, concentrates can be helpful when a horse needs:
- additional calories
- balanced vitamins and minerals
- supplemental protein
- specialized senior nutrition
- weight support during heavy work
Look for feeds with:
- high fiber
- controlled starch and sugar
- added fat for sustained energy
- complete vitamin/mineral fortification
Avoid overfeeding grain — it can lead to colic, laminitis, and behavioral changes.
Pasture Management: Friend or Foe?
Pasture is a wonderful natural resource, but it must be managed carefully.
Benefits:
- constant movement
- mental enrichment
- natural grazing patterns
- improved joint and hoof health
Risks:
- spring and fall grass may be too rich
- obese horses may overconsume
- laminitis risk increases with uncontrolled grazing
Strategies:
- use grazing muzzles for easy keepers
- offer limited turnout on high-sugar grass
- divide fields into dry lots and grazing zones
- rotate pastures to maintain healthy growth
Pasture isn’t “free food”—it’s a powerful feeding tool that requires thoughtful oversight.
Supplements: Helpful or Hype?
Some supplements are beneficial; others are unnecessary if the diet is already balanced.
Common useful supplements include:
- Omega-3 fatty acids for coat condition and inflammation
- Probiotics for digestive support
- Vitamin E for horses without fresh pasture
- Joint supplements for seniors or working horses
- Metabolic support formulas for insulin-resistant horses
Work with a vet or equine nutritionist before adding multiple supplements to avoid imbalance.
Hydration: The Overlooked Component of Diet
Water is crucial. A horse may drink anywhere from 5–15 gallons per day.
To support hydration:
- keep water clean and cool
- offer salt blocks or loose salt
- add electrolytes during heavy work or heat
- soak feed for horses prone to impaction
- encourage drinking with warmed water in winter
A dehydrated horse is at higher risk of colic and performance issues.
Monitoring Progress: Tracking and Adjusting
Weight management isn’t a “set it and forget it” process. Regular monitoring helps keep your horse healthy year-round.
Use:
- monthly photographs
- weight tapes (for approximation)
- body condition scoring
- notes about feed changes
- professional evaluations from vets or nutritionists
Watch for seasonal changes — many horses gain in summer and lose in winter.
Adjust diet slowly over several days to avoid digestive upset.
When to Call a Vet or Nutritionist
Seek professional guidance if your horse experiences:
- unexplained weight loss
- chronic obesity
- sudden appetite changes
- metabolic symptoms (cresty neck, laminitis)
- digestive issues
- poor coat quality
- difficulty chewing
A health issue may be contributing to weight problems. Early diagnosis helps protect your horse’s long-term well-being.
The Bottom Line
Managing your horse’s weight and diet is an ongoing partnership between you, your horse, and nature. It requires attention, flexibility, and understanding that each horse is unique. By providing high-quality forage, controlling calories wisely, supporting digestion, and adjusting as needed, you can help your horse maintain a healthy body and a happy life.
The right diet doesn’t just fuel your horse — it strengthens their immune system, supports their joints, enhances performance, and extends their longevity. When we feed our horses with knowledge and intention, we give them the foundation they need to thrive.
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