How to Put Weight on an Underweight Horse: Nutrition, Care & Management

Getting weight on an underweight horse isn't always as simple as adding more feed. Whether you're dealing with an older horse heading into winter, a performance horse coming off a busy show season, or a hard keeper who just won't hold weight, the first step is understanding why the horse is losing condition. In this episode of Scoop & Scale, we take a closer look at the causes of weight loss in horses and how to develop a feeding and management plan that supports healthy weight gain. We discuss why dental problems, parasites, chronic pain, gastric ulcers, and other health conditions can contribute to weight loss, and how to determine whether your horse is actually getting enough calories. Once underlying issues have been addressed, we get into the practical side of equine nutrition, including how to increase calories safely, choose the right feeds, and help horses maintain body condition through the colder months. We discuss: How to assess your horse's body condition, identify weight loss, and determine how many calories they actually need Common causes of weight loss in horses, including dental problems, internal parasites, chronic pain, gastric ulcers, PPID (Cushing's disease), and respiratory issues The best ways to put weight on a horse through nutrition, including forage, alfalfa, high-fat feeds, vegetable oils, beet pulp, and other calorie-dense options How to calculate calorie requirements, make feeding changes safely, avoid excessive starch, and monitor healthy weight gain Feeding and managing underweight horses through winter, including blanketing, forage, water intake, and so much more Whether you have a senior horse, a hard keeper, a performance horse struggling to maintain condition, or a horse that needs to gain weight before winter, this episode offers practical, science-based guidance to help you make informed decisions about your horse's diet and overall care. As always, if your horse is severely underweight, veterinary guidance is essential before making significant feeding changes. Severely emaciated horses need a carefully supervised refeeding plan. Approximate Energy Values: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1QTQmriTzC_ajgfULiyPq-C_dVOe5VwGEpckg2lVt3Qw/edit?usp=sharing Do you have questions about feeding your horse? Contact us at info@scoopandscale.com Thanks for riding along with us!

How to Put Weight on an Underweight Horse: Nutrition, Care & Management | Ep. 87