Weight loss and poor body condition
in your horse can be caused by many different factors, including age, disease
and stress.
Before planning on implementing a
special diet regimen, it is important to first rule out any issues that could
be causing the problem. Have a veterinarian rule out any health or stress
issues; also make sure the vet checks the horse’s teeth, especially older horses.
Sometimes the teeth get overgrown and may need filing or clipping. Overgrown
teeth can cause pain and your horse will not want to eat properly. Missing
teeth can also hinder proper diet.
If it appears your horse is continually eating without gaining weight and
maintaining good body conditioning, there may be a problem with parasites, such
as worms, that should be checked. Your vet will perform a fecal test and
de-worm your horse so it can eat properly and maintain good health and proper
nutrition.
All horses enjoy foraging in the fields; they get to enjoy the much-needed
great outdoors, sunshine, air and physical activity while grazing in meadows
full of greens. Their feed of oats and grains are also important for proper
nutrition and keeping their coats in tip-top condition. To help with further improve
body conditioning and weight gain, there are some supplements beneficial for
the health of your horse.
Some of the products you can try to supplement your horse’s diet for weight
gain and good body condition are –
• AniMed Muscle-UP Powder is designed to support overall health and function to
the horse's muscular system. Its ingredients help support muscle recovery and
proper electrolyte balance, body fluid levels and normal lactic acid levels.
• Farnam Weight Builder pProvides extra calories in the form of fat for
maintaining body condition and fuel for performance without the risk of colic
associated with grain feeding. It also helps enhance skin and coat condition.
• Uckele Cocosoya with the Cocosoya oil that horse’s love. The combination of
ingredients in this unique horse supplement provides a combination of Omega 3
and 6 fatty acids to support a healthy weight gain, good body condition, skin
and lustrous coat.
• Cool Calories 100 provides the essential fatty acids as well as the Cocosoya
Ultra SP. It also provides ingredients for high energy and focus to provide
high performance in your horse. Cool Calories 100 is concentrated with 100
percent vegetable fat with no added sugar, carbohydrates or fillers and
chemicals and provides five times the energy than stabilized rice bran. It is
an easy supplement to mix in with your horse’s regular grain.
Specialized diets should meet the needs of your horse and be vet-approved; what
works for one horse may not work for another. All supplements mix well with the
horse’s regular grain mixture and should be given as described on the label of
the supplement. If one does not work effectively, try another supplement until
you find one that works for your particular horse.