How can your horse lose weight?

Answer 1

Less grain and more excercise. If you keep your horse in a stall, try keeping her outside 24/7 so she will excercise herself more. If you feed grain, take this away or give her less if you use it to give supplements (gradually of course-horses don't do well with sudden diet changes)

*Make sure that if you keep her in pasture that there isn't alot of rich grass like alfalfa, and other legumes.*

Answer 2

This will depend upon how much weight your horse needs to lose; I would suggest consulting with your veterinarian to learn how to judge a horse's weight and condition before starting this.

If the horse is on grain, the first place to start is by cutting back the amount of grain - generally you want to reduce by 5% or less per month, as you don't want to starve the horse or suddenly throw the horse's energy balance off. Also, you can start your horse on an exercise program. This also needs to be slowly introduced so your horse can build up the muscle and bone strength to handle the exercise.

Once you get your horse at the appropriate weight, you need to maintain the feed and exercise schedule that got him to that point.

Answer 3

If you horse is too thin first make sure it's not a physical problem or a dental problem. If both of these are ruled out consider his immediate environment. Is he bullied at mealtime from a more dominant horse. Getting chased away from his food can upset him and he won't be getting the calories he needs. If this is not the problem think about adjusting his diet. You may want to consult with your vet if you plan to make big changes in what he is eating. There are several good products on the market to help with weight gain in horses. Remember that any changes should be done slowly over weeks so as not to upset his digestive system.

Answer 4

you feed it lots and lost of carrots and sugar cubes xo

Sugar isn't good for horses. To put weight on a horse you'll need good quality grass hay mixed with alfalfa hay and a ration balancer pellet topped by a weight builder supplement and possibly topped by corn oil. Always consult an equine vet before changing a horses feed.

Answer 5

This can be difficult to do. Firstly you'll need a equine veterinarian to examine the horse for parasites and dental issues, both of which can cause a horse to lose weight and muscle tone. Next make sure the horse has no physical problems that will limit its athletic abilities. Once the horse is in the clear you can begin to evaluate the horses feed ration. The bulk of the food should be a good clean grass hay with 12%-14% crude protein. You can then add a few pounds of Alfalfa hay to increase calories and nutrition, once the horse begins to put on a little weight it is time to begin work. Start by working the horse from the ground, either lunging or long lining the horse, this helps to build up the back muscles without the weight of a rider. Get the horse to walk and trot over ground poles and cavalletti. As you progress the horse may need to have a pelleted concentrate added to it's ration, Use the smallest amount possible to help maintain and build weight. As the horse progresses you can add under saddle work, nothing too intense at first, just light work and trail riding will be a good start and then you can progress from there as the horse improves.

Answer 6

Alfafa is good and nutrious for them and it will help then gain weight. but be careful! some horses will get hyper on alfafa, my five year old horse did.

Answer 7

Feed it a little grain and lots of good quality hay. Grass, if available, is also a good nutritional source for horses to gain weight on.

Answer 8

Oats and sweetfeed.