Question: What’s the best feed for putting weight on a horse?
Answer: If your horse is underweight make sure it has been de-wormed and had its teeth checked by a veterinarian or equine dentist. The best feed for an underweight horse is good quality hay. Give underweight horses free choice hay unless there is some medical reason (such as diabetes or Cushing’s Disease) not to. Introduce horses to lush grass gradually to decrease the possibility of founder or colic.
Beet pulp is often fed as a supplement because it is high in fiber which the horse can turn into energy and body fat. Some people prefer to give their horses pelleted feed because they feel this is more easily digestible. Rice bran and flax are also popular additions to the diets of underweight horses. (Flax seed is not harmful. The amount of toxin is so minute it has no effect.)
Whenever you are changing the amount of concentrates do it gradually to decrease the possibility of problems like founder or colic. Whatever combination you feed, 60% of a horse’s diet should be roughage in some form. If a change in your feeding program does not produce some small gain in weight or energy within about 10 days consult your veterinarian
