Does your beloved horse look a little too thin, no matter how much hay you give them? You’re not alone. Many horse owners wrestle with getting the right weight on their equine friends. It can feel frustrating when you want your horse to be healthy and strong, but they just won’t pack on the pounds.
Choosing the perfect feed for weight gain adds another layer of confusion. Should you pick high-fat mixes, or maybe something with more protein? The sheer number of bags on the feed store shelf can make your head spin. We understand the worry about feeding too much of the wrong thing or not enough of the right thing.
This guide cuts through the noise. We will break down exactly what ingredients matter most for safe and effective weight gain. You will learn how to read labels like a pro and select a feed that truly works for your horse’s needs. Get ready to turn those worries into a plan for a healthier, happier horse.
Top Feed For Horse Weight Gain Recommendations
- HIGH FAT AND CALORIE LEVELS: Manna Pro Senior Weight Accelerator is specially formulated with high fat and calorie content to help senior horses gain and maintain a healthy body condition, supporting energy needs and overall vitality in older horses.
- OMEGA-3 FATTY ACIDS FOR SKIN & COAT: Senior Horse Supplement contains flaxseed-derived Omega-3s to support skin hydration, reduce dryness, and promote a glossy coat. Helps aging horses maintain healthy skin, improved coat condition, and vitality.
- FORMULATED FOR SENIOR HORSES: Tailored nutrition for aging horses with probiotics for digestion, biotin for hoof strength, & controlled starch levels to support metabolic health—delivering balanced energy, immunity, & joint mobility in one great formula.
- ESSENTIAL VITAMINS & ANTIOXIDANTS: Packed with vital vitamins, antioxidants that support a healthy immune system & help protect senior horses from oxidative stress, promoting overall wellness, vitality & resilience to keep them feeling their best.
- HIGHLY PALATABLE & EASY TO FEED: Specially designed for senior horses, this soft, easy-to-chew pellet ensures consistent intake. Fortified with amino acids and antioxidants to support aging joints, muscle maintenance, and overall vitality in older horses.
- HIGH IN FAT: Contains 99% fat, which is an excellent source of calories and contains more than two times the energy of carbohydrates
- COOL ENERGY: High calorie density of Cool Calories 100 provides cool, focused energy for performance horses
- WEIGHT AND BODY CONDITION: Concentrated source of calories supports healthy weight gain and body condition for underweight horses and hard-keepers and reduces the need to feed more grain
- FATTY ACIDS: Contains fatty acids to support desirable skin and glossy coat condition
- HIGHLY PALATABLE: Easy to feed and highly palatable
- 3-IN-1 FORMULA FOR TOTAL SUPPORT: Combines full-fat extruded soybeans, probiotics, and Horse Guard’s vitamin-mineral package into one powerful horse weight gain supplement for healthy weight, coat, and digestion.
- VISIBLE RESULTS FOR HARD KEEPERS: Ideal for senior, rescue, or underweight horses; promotes safe, healthy weight gain while improving energy and topline. The go-to weight builder for horses needing extra care.
- BETTER COAT, BETTER CONFIDENCE: Extruded soy improves coat shine and skin health. Helps your horse look and feel better from the inside out with a high-quality horse feed supplement that makes results visible.
- DIGESTIVE SUPPORT & IMMUNE DEFENSE: Prebiotics and probiotics boost gut health and nutrient absorption, while 1,500 IU of Vitamin E per dose supports a strong immune system – ideal for stressed, recovering, or sensitive horses.
- EASY DOSING, 20 SERVINGS PER BAG: Each 10 lb bag contains approx. 20 servings for a 1,000 lb horse. Scoop included. Trusted since 1978, Horse Guard delivers premium equine supplements with science-backed nutrition.
- MULTI-SPECIES PERFORMANCE FORMULA: Manna Pro Calf-Manna is designed to support a wide range of animals including cattle, goats, swine, poultry, rabbits, horses, and deer with essential nutrients and energy.
- SUPPORTS GROWTH & WEIGHT GAIN: High-quality protein, vitamins, and energy-dense ingredients help improve animal development, appetite, and performance in both young and mature animals.
- IDEAL FOR LIVESTOCK & BACKYARD ANIMALS: Whether feeding beef cattle, dairy cows, chickens, goats, rabbits, or swine, Calf-Manna boosts nutritional intake and encourages steady growth.
- ENHANCES FEED EFFICIENCY & DIGESTION: Improves how well animals utilize their regular feed, making it a smart choice for boosting recovery and maintaining health during stress or transition.
- HIGHLY PALATABLE & EASY TO FEED: Calf-Manna’s delicious formula keeps animals coming back for more—perfect for chickens, goats, cattle, and other multi-species livestock.
- Natural Flaxseed Nutrition Made from premium ground flaxseed, providing a natural source of fats commonly used in horse feed to support daily nutrition and balanced diets.
- Supports Coat Shine Flaxseed is widely used by horse owners as part of a feeding routine to help maintain a sleek and glossy coat appearance.
- Easy to Digest Finely ground flaxseed mixes easily with grain, pellets, or mash, making daily feeding simple and convenient.
- High-Fat Feed Ingredient Flaxseed naturally contains beneficial fats that are commonly included in horse diets for additional energy in everyday feeding routines.
- Ideal for Daily Feeding Suitable for pasture horses, training horses, and performance horses as part of a regular feeding program.
- HIGH-PERFORMANCE EQUINE NUTRITION - Horse XL can help boost horse injury repair, especially in working and performance horses. Horses of all ages and sizes, including pregnant mares, can use our joint supplement for horses. It's a must-have for supporting recovery and strength.
- VETERINARIAN-APPROVED SUPPLEMENT – Horse XL contains a proprietary blend of branched essential amino acids which are the building blocks of protein. Our horse coat defense is necessary for strength and muscle repair.
- PURE AMINO ACIDS SUPPLEMENT - Equinety Horse XL hoof supplements for horses are made in the USA, 100% natural, and non-GMO. It does not contain fillers, soy, sugar, starches, or artificial flavors - a formula safe for horses.
- HELPS ENHANCE HORSE'S LIFE - Our horse feed can help improve mental focus and responsiveness. It's also a digestive, immune system, and horse joint supplement. Make it a part of your equine supplies and see your horse improve over time.
- 100-DAY SUPPLY – One tub of Horse XL lasts 100 days - 1 scoop daily is all you need for regular horses - but for injured horses, you may need to give 2 scoops, depending on the vet's advice. Horse XL is a pituitary supplement so there is no need to compute dosage.
- HORSE PRODUCTS BY HORSE PEOPLE: Family-owned and operated, manufactured in small batches at our Centre Hall, Pennsylvania facility using locally sourced ingredients. Developed with real horse-owner experience to ensure quality, consistency, and trustworthiness.
- IDEAL FOR HARD KEEPERS, CALORIE-DENSE HIGH FAT FORMULA: Pennwoods Body Builder 4000 is specially formulated for horses that are thin, hard to keep, or have high energy demands. Its calorie-dense, high-fat formula helps horses safely gain and maintain weight while supporting topline and overall body condition without excess sugar or starch. Perfect for owners seeking a nutritional approach to body conditioning.
- PROMOTES BODY CONDITION AND TOPLINE: This supplement provides a concentrated energy source from fat and quality protein rather than sugar or starch, making it ideal for performance, breeding, or lactating horses. It helps maintain body condition, energy levels, and topline throughout the year, even during intensive training or high-demand seasons.
- SUPPORTS OVERALL PHYSICAL CONDITION: High-quality fat and protein in this formula can help support hoof quality, muscle tone, and a healthy coat when used as part of a balanced diet. By providing calories from fat instead of high-starch grains, it offers a nutrient-dense option to help maintain durable condition in horses that struggle with conventional feeding.
- SAFE, DAILY SUPPLEMENT WITH VERSATILE FEEDING OPTIONS: Easy to incorporate into daily rations, Body Builder 4000 can be added to feed for mature, breeding, or performance horses. Its concentrated energy formula allows you to adjust feeding based on workload and body condition goals, providing a flexible, practical solution for hard keepers.
- 3-IN-1 FORMULA FOR TOTAL SUPPORT: Combines full-fat extruded soybeans, probiotics, and Horse Guard’s vitamin-mineral package into one powerful horse weight gain supplement for healthy weight, coat, and digestion.
- VISIBLE RESULTS FOR HARD KEEPERS: Ideal for senior, rescue, or underweight horses; promotes safe, healthy weight gain while improving energy and topline. The go-to weight builder for horses needing extra care.
- BETTER COAT, BETTER CONFIDENCE: Extruded soy improves coat shine and skin health. Helps your horse look and feel better from the inside out with a high-quality horse feed supplement that makes results visible.
- DIGESTIVE SUPPORT & IMMUNE DEFENSE: Prebiotics and probiotics boost gut health and nutrient absorption, while 1,500 IU of Vitamin E per dose supports a strong immune system – ideal for stressed, recovering, or sensitive horses.
- EASY DOSING, 80 SERVINGS PER BAG: Each 40 lb bag contains approx. 80 servings for a 1,000 lb horse. Scoop included. Trusted since 1978, Horse Guard delivers premium equine supplements with science-backed nutrition.
Your Guide to Choosing the Best Feed for Horse Weight Gain
Getting your horse to a healthy weight can be a big job. Sometimes, horses just need a little extra help to bulk up. Choosing the right feed makes a big difference. This guide helps you pick the best weight gain feed for your horse.
Key Features to Look For
When you shop for weight gain feed, look for specific things. These features help your horse build muscle and healthy fat.
High-Calorie Density
Weight gain feeds need lots of calories packed into a small serving. This means your horse eats less volume but gets more energy. Look for feeds with higher fat content, as fat holds more calories than protein or carbohydrates.
Digestible Energy Sources
The calories must be easy for your horse to use. Good feeds use sources like added vegetable oils or beet pulp. These provide “cool” energy, meaning they don’t make your horse too hyper.
Added Vitamins and Minerals
When a horse gains weight, its body needs building blocks. Ensure the feed has balanced vitamins and minerals. Look for things like Vitamin E and selenium, which support muscle health.
Important Materials in Weight Gain Feeds
The ingredients list tells you what is actually in the bag. Certain materials work better for safe weight gain.
- Oils (Soybean, Flaxseed, Rice Bran): These are excellent sources of concentrated calories and healthy fats. They help put weight on without overloading the stomach with too much starch.
- Beet Pulp: This is a highly digestible fiber source. It adds calories and helps keep the hindgut healthy, which is crucial for nutrient absorption.
- Soy or Sunflower Meal: These provide high-quality protein. Protein is necessary for building muscle mass, not just fat.
- Pelleted vs. Sweet Feed: Pelleted feeds are consistent. Sweet feeds (which often contain molasses) are more palatable but sometimes have higher starch. Choose based on your horse’s needs and digestion.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Feed Quality
Not all weight gain feeds work the same way. Quality matters a lot for safety and effectiveness.
What Improves Quality
High-quality feeds use ingredients that are easy to digest. Good processing techniques make the nutrients more available to your horse. Feeds with a high percentage of fat (10% or more) often show better results for hard keepers.
What Reduces Quality
Too much starch or sugar can hurt your horse’s digestion. Feeds with a lot of low-quality fillers or excessive molasses can cause digestive upset or lead to weight gain that is not healthy. If the feed smells musty or looks dusty, the quality is probably low.
User Experience and Use Cases
People use weight gain feeds for different reasons. Knowing the use case helps you choose the right bag.
Common Use Cases
- The Hard Keeper: This horse eats plenty but still struggles to maintain weight, often due to high metabolism or stress. They need calorie-dense, highly palatable feed.
- The Senior Horse: Older horses sometimes have trouble chewing or absorbing nutrients fully. They need softer, highly digestible feeds, often pelleted or soaked.
- The Equine Athlete: Horses in heavy work need extra energy to recover and build muscle. They benefit from fats for sustained energy during long rides or competition.
Good user experience means the horse actually eats the feed willingly. If your horse refuses to eat it, even the best formula won’t help them gain weight.
10 Frequently Asked Questions About Horse Weight Gain Feed
Q: How quickly should I expect to see weight gain?
A: You should see slow, steady changes over several weeks or months. Fast weight gain is often unhealthy fat. Talk to your vet after 4-6 weeks to check progress.
Q: Can I just give my horse more grain?
A: No. Just adding more regular grain (like corn or oats) increases starch too much. This can cause serious stomach issues like colic or laminitis. Weight gain feeds are balanced better.
Q: What is the difference between fat calories and starch calories?
A: Fat calories provide sustained energy without spiking blood sugar, which is safer for most horses. Starch calories (from grains) provide quick energy but overload the hindgut if given in large amounts.
Q: Do I need to soak weight gain pellets?
A: It depends on the feed and your horse. If your horse is older or has dental issues, soaking makes it easier to chew and digest.
Q: How much of this feed should I give my horse?
A: Always start by following the instructions on the bag. Then, adjust based on your horse’s current body condition score and activity level. Never feed more than 5 pounds per feeding session.
Q: Can I mix this feed with my horse’s current diet?
A: Yes, but introduce it slowly over 7 to 10 days. Mix a small amount of the new feed with their old feed, slowly increasing the ratio each day. This protects their stomach.
Q: What if my horse is gaining too much weight?
A: If weight gain is too fast, reduce the amount of the weight gain feed you are giving. Ensure they are still getting enough hay, as hay should be the base of their diet.
Q: Are there specific ingredients I should avoid?
A: Generally, avoid feeds with very high levels of added sugars or molasses, unless your vet suggests it for palatability. Also, watch out for feeds where the first few ingredients are just corn or wheat.
Q: Does this feed replace hay?
A: Absolutely not. Hay and forage should always make up the majority of your horse’s diet (at least 1% of their body weight daily). Weight gain feed is a supplement to the forage base.
Q: My horse is sensitive. Which type of fat is best?
A: Rice bran oil or stabilized rice bran are often well-tolerated. Flaxseed oil is also great, but it should be fresh. Always look for feeds that use fat sources over simple sugars.