Losing Weight in Winter is Normal!

Many horse owners become “worried” when they notice their horse losing weight. Often, they immediately resort to extra feed, supplements, and other measures. Feed companies’ marketing plays into this concern! However, did you know that it’s entirely normal for your horse to lose weight in winter? Horses naturally gain a lot of weight in summer because it’s a season of abundance. They build up reserves during this time, so it’s not surprising that horses easily gain weight in summer. This isn’t an issue as long as they have the opportunity to lose weight during winter. Winter is a season of scarcity, meant for using up those reserves. Losing weight in winter is a natural detox (stored toxins in fat tissue are released and removed) and ensures your horse doesn’t enter spring overweight.

Overweight Year-Round

As horse owners, we find it hard to see our horses lose weight. We prefer our horses to look rounder and feel uncomfortable if we can feel their ribs. This emotional response has significant consequences, leading to many horses being overweight year-round. We feed them generously, provide warm blankets, cozy stables, and nutrient-rich forage—essentially the opposite of what happens in nature. Horses naturally gain weight in summer, but they barely lose any in winter. As a result, they miss their natural detox and enter spring overweight, increasing the risk of laminitis, insulin resistance, and itch-related conditions.

Tips to Help Your Horse Lose Weight

1. Ensure Plenty of Exercise Exercise is vital for maintaining a healthy weight in horses. Horses are meant to cover many kilometers daily. This is not only crucial for their digestion but their overall well-being. Don’t think of exercise as just 30-60 minutes of intense riding or lunging daily. Focus on stress-free, low-intensity movement like walking and steady-paced strides to support fat burning. Take your horse for a walk, ensuring consistent movement over longer distances.
2. Provide Low-Nutrient Forage
   This is the foundation! High-quality, low-nutrient (unpackaged) hay determines whether your horse stays at a healthy weight. Many types of hay are too rich for horses, leading to weight gain or making weight loss nearly impossible. Hay should have a sugar content below 8%, be rich in fibers, and have a coarse structure. The coarser the hay, the more the horse must chew, leading to a faster sense of fullness and reduced intake. Always have your hay analyzed to ensure its suitability. You can also substitute some hay with branches or barley straw. Looking for low-sugar hay? Check out www.tophooi.nl.
3. Don’t Skimp on Vitamins and Minerals
   When a horse needs to lose weight, it’s often put on a strict diet, sometimes drastically. This often backfires because horses have highly efficient digestion systems, which become even more efficient during scarcity. We often see horses gaining weight when rationed because they start storing more fat. Rationing must be done carefully, and you should never cut back on vitamins and minerals. Always provide a good mineral pellet, low in energy but high in vitamins and minerals. Supplement with liquid minerals from the Bering Sea if necessary, as mineral deficiencies can lead to additional health issues.
4. Support with the Herb Triphala
   Sometimes, a little extra help is needed for weight loss. While there’s no miracle solution, herbs can support and stimulate metabolism. The herb triphala is particularly effective, aiding overall metabolism and gently cleansing the digestive system. This helps with weight loss. However, supplements or herbs only work if the other points are also addressed.

Tips to Help Your Horse Gain Weight

1. Provide Unlimited Forage
   Helping a horse gain weight can sometimes be even harder than helping one lose weight. The key is offering unrestricted access to high-quality, unpackaged hay. Horses needing to gain weight also require low-sugar hay but often benefit from higher protein content. Finding hay that is low in sugar and high in protein can be challenging. If unavailable, choose unpackaged hay that is low in both sugar and protein, then supplement protein separately through feed.
2. Choose the Right Supplementary Feed
   Many turn to beet pulp to help horses gain weight. While not inherently bad, beet pulp mainly fills the horse without providing substantial nutrition. To help a horse gain weight, it’s better to focus on increasing protein intake. Products like Agrobs Myo Protein Flakes, Coolstance Copra, or other protein-rich grass blends are better choices. Feed these in small portions several times a day. Offering a large bucket of feed once a day is ineffective, as a horse’s small stomach cannot digest it all properly. Smaller, frequent portions improve digestion and nutrient absorption. Ensure additional feed is rich in vitamins and minerals, while limiting oil and grain-based products. Choose nutrient-rich, healthy ingredients that promote sustainable weight gain rather than quick-fix fatteners.
3. Use Blankets While some are opposed to blankets, they are essential for horses prone to weight loss. Horses expend significant energy keeping warm, leaving little energy for weight gain. Using blankets reduces energy loss, allowing the horse to conserve energy for gaining weight. Always choose well-fitting blankets, especially if worn 24/7.
4. Adjust Workload
   Perhaps the hardest advice for horse owners—especially with access to an indoor arena during winter—is to reduce the workload for a horse that struggles to maintain weight. If medical issues are ruled out and feed adjustments don’t resolve the issue, consider scaling back the intensity and frequency of exercise in winter. Full rest may not be necessary, but lighter, less frequent work can help reduce energy expenditure, making it easier for your horse to maintain or gain weight.

Always Rule Out Medical Issues

Some horses lose significant weight due to medical problems, such as digestive or dental issues. Always consult your veterinarian or equine dentist to rule out medical causes before implementing other measures.