askHELTIE HELTIEhorse® Supporting Your Horse in Losing or Gaining Weight

Supporting Your Horse in Losing or Gaining Weight

Naturally, a horse's weight fluctuates with the seasons. At the end of summer, they tend to be a bit thicker, and at the end of winter, when the reserves have been used to keep their body warm, a bit thinner. Our domesticated horses usually have enough food all year round and ideally should not fluctuate too much in weight. They should not be too thin or too fat. How do you regulate your horse's weight?

Nettle

Weight

Insulin resistance

Triphala

Feeding

19 December '22 • 3 min reading time

A horse that receives enough high-quality roughage and is provided with its daily vitamin and mineral needs should not lose weight in principle. In very cold weather, horses use a lot of fiber from roughage to keep warm. Therefore, make sure there is plenty of hay available during the winter months. Horses that are in high training or pregnant may also have an extra need for nutrients such as amino acids and proteins.

Salmon Oil: Essential Fats

Salmon oil can contribute to weight regulation. It supports digestion, provides your horse with all essential fatty acids, and gives extra energy. Thanks to salmon oil, horses often have increased appetite and can quickly regain weight if they are too thin. The oil also helps regulate blood sugar levels.

Horse Remains Slightly Thin

If your horse continues to lose weight despite having enough roughage, nutrients, and fatty acids, especially older horses may face weight loss, especially in winter. Their digestion becomes less efficient, and the chewing muscles may weaken, meaning they take longer to chew fibers and therefore consume less roughage. In this case, it may be advisable to provide more liquid roughage, such as soaked grass pellets, in addition to salmon oil and possibly proteins. If your horse is not a senior yet, dental problems, worms, sand in the intestines, and stomach or digestive problems can also be causes for weight loss. So, check if any of these could be the issue. If your horse remains thin despite all measures, consult your veterinarian. Weight loss can also be related to chronic pain and other underlying diseases, such as liver disorders.

Horse is Too Fat

When a horse has a little extra fat on the ribs at the end of summer, it is not necessarily a problem as long as it is temporary. One possible solution is not to rug your horse up too early in the autumn, but to let them use their reserves when it gets colder. After all, that's what those fat reserves are for! Do not give a overweight horse carbohydrate- or starch-rich concentrate feed or roughage high in sugars. Opt for fiber-rich, low hay that is chewed for a long time and provides a full feeling. Additionally, ensure sufficient free movement and training. Your horse will gradually lose weight. Make sure they receive enough vitamins and minerals, with a balancer pellet and possibly additional supplements. Consider magnesium, which is low in hay, and in the winter also vitamin E. Moreover, the minerals from concentrated sea water can provide the right balance for your horse.

Nettle for Horses

Horses that need to lose weight can benefit from a course of nettle extract to cleanse the blood and eliminate toxins. Nettle also supports the immune system and promotes a healthy gut flora, leading to a healthy digestion. It is recommended to give your horse a nettle course twice a year, in the spring and autumn. Alternatively, you can offer it in a mineral buffet.

Triphala Supports Sugar Metabolism and Weight Loss

Another herb that can be used in cases of overweight is Triphala. This is a mixture of 3 fruits that support metabolism and balance the body. It can also be effective for horses with insulin resistance as it balances sugar metabolism. Triphala aids in weight loss and can be easily administered through feed.

The Role of the Herd

Finally, it is also important to consider the role of the herd for horses that are overweight or underweight. Dominant horses have the most access to food, while lower-ranking horses may not always be able to reach the feeding trough. Therefore, ensure an adequate number of feeding spots or place a thin and low-ranking horse in a different group where they can eat more.

Sources:

  1. Tamzali. 2006. Chronic weight loss syndrome in the horse: a 60 case retrospective study.

EQUINE VETERINARY EDUCATION / AE / DECEMBER 2006 Link to study

Also interesting:

Weight

Your horse is probably already enjoying the grass. Unfortunately, the pounds are already piling on rapidly. How can you ensure that your horse stays at a healthy weight in the summer while still being able to enjoy the fresh grass?

How to prevent overweight in horses?

Your horse is probably already enjoying the grass. Unfortunately, the pounds are already piling on rapidly. How can you ensure that your horse stays at a healthy weight in the summer while still being able to enjoy the fresh grass?. In this blog, we want to provide you with tips on how to keep your horse at a healthy weight during the summer months. Weight gain in summer is a natural phenomenon Wild horses lose weight (drastically) in winter due to food scarcity and fewer nutrients in the grass. During that time, horses use their fat reserves to get through the winter. These fat reserves are built up by horses in the summer when the grass is abundant and rich in nutrients. Wild horses are often very fat after the summer per...

Weight

Vitamin E

Overweight in horses is more common than we realize, especially during the summer period it is difficult to keep horses at a healthy weight. There are horse owners who choose not to let horses and ponies graze, or only very limited. But grass also contains very important nutrients, including vitamin E. And did you know that vitamin E is an important vitamin for overweight horses? Let's delve into this in this blog!

Why vitamin E is important for overweight horses

Overweight in horses is more common than we realize, especially during the summer period it is difficult to keep horses at a healthy weight. There are horse owners who choose not to let horses and ponies graze, or only very limited. But grass also contains very important nutrients, including vitamin E. And did you know that vitamin E is an important vitamin for overweight horses? Let's delve into this in this blog!. Vitamin E important for overweight horses Horses with overweight have an extra need for vitamin E. Firstly, vitamin E is important for all horses to eliminate waste products (free radicals) that are released during exercise. This is to prevent muscle pain, stiffness, and prolonged recovery after intensive training. But with overweight, there is more to it! Fat is a major source of inflammation. Therefore, horses with overweight experience more inflammatory reactions in the body than normal. Ther...

Weight

Insulin resistance

Digestion

Triphala

Triphala is an herbal mixture that has been used in India for centuries as a natural medicine. It is used for digestive complaints, stress, and to stabilize blood sugar levels. Research has shown that Triphala has strong medicinal properties in humans and rodents. This traditional supplement can also be used in horses, especially for insulin resistance.

Ancient herb Triphala supports weight loss and metabolism of horses

Triphala is an herbal mixture that has been used in India for centuries as a natural medicine. It is used for digestive complaints, stress, and to stabilize blood sugar levels. Research has shown that Triphala has strong medicinal properties in humans and rodents. This traditional supplement can also be used in horses, especially for insulin resistance.. What is Triphala? Triphala is a powder made from three different (dried) fruits from the Himalayan region. It is a well-known herbal medicine from the Aryuvedic tradition. The fruits in Triphala are: Amalaki or Indian gooseberry (Emblica officinalis), Bibhitaki (Terminalia bellirica), and Haritaki (Terminalia chebula). Research in recent years has shown that Triphala is effective in treating various conditions. Indian gooseberry stimulates digestion, acts as a laxative, and has anti-inflammatory...

Questions? AskHELTIE!

Are you looking for advice about your dog or horse? Or do you want to know more about conditions or ingredients? Feel free to contact AskHELTIE, and we will be happy to assist you! .