Horse Serious

The winter season’s days are short, the nights are long and the temperatures are low. If the winter brings routine change for you and your horse, you may start to notice weight loss.

For some, watching weight is a year-round thing. For others, winter is the most opportune time to lose weight. So, if your horse struggles with weight gain during the summer, you can use the winter months to drop some pounds. However, it is important to note that sudden weight loss can be a sign of disease or trauma. Along with looking at your horse’s food, look into these non-nutritional causes of weight loss:

• Pain: If your horse has chronic pain or muscle issues, consult with a vet. 

• Disease: Talk to your vet about the sudden weight loss and discuss the possibility of a certain disease.

• Worms: The intestinal parasite can take away the nutrients from the horse’s food. A large worm causes damage to the intestinal lining and can lead to weight loss.

• Teeth: Teeth with sharp edges can cause discomfort and may reduce food intake. 

If these causes are ruled out, then you can start looking at your horse’s calorie and nutrient intake. Here are some solutions for winter feeding:

Quality

Fight winter weight loss by feeding quality feed. A high-fiber diet will help reduce the risk of a metabolic condition and also helps to keep the horse warm. 

Feed Less More Often

Give your horse a little less food but more often. Larger meals are digested quickly and may be less efficiently digested. Whereas feeding smaller quantities a little more often allows your horse to get the most out of every meal.

Pro + Prebiotics 

These ensure a healthy digestive tract. They can be useful with horses that lose weight rapidly or are recovering from colic or antibiotic treatment. They can be included as additives or there are supplements available.