Is your horse always looking for more energy but you worry about the classic “sugary rush”? Many horse owners face this puzzle. We want our equine partners to have stamina for work or stay healthy in the pasture, but traditional feeds can sometimes lead to unwanted spikes in behavior or weight gain.
Choosing the right high-fat horse feed feels complicated. You see bags promising shine and sustained energy, but how do you know which ingredients truly help your horse? It’s frustrating to spend money on feed that doesn’t meet your horse’s specific needs, whether they are an older horse needing easy calories or an athlete requiring long-lasting fuel.
This post cuts through the confusion. We will break down exactly what high-fat feeds offer and how they fuel your horse safely. By the end, you will understand the best ways to use these feeds to support your horse’s body condition and performance.
Top High Fat Horse Feed Recommendations
- SENIOR HORSE FEED - Specially formulated for older horses, offering a beet pulp-based formula rich in nutrients and fats for optimal digestive health and weight maintenance.
- EQUINE SENIOR FEED - Ideal for mature, performance, and underweight horses, this feed provides essential fiber and reduced starch and sugar levels for balanced nutrition.
- SENIOR WEIGHT ACCELERATOR FOR HORSES - Packed with high-fat content to help senior horses gain or maintain weigh
- FEED FOR SENIOR HORSES - Can be mixed with water to create a mash, perfect for horses with dental issues or difficulty swallowing.
- HORSE FOOD SENIOR - Versatile enough to serve as the sole ration for horses unable to eat hay or pasture, ensuring they get all necessary nutrients.
- WEIGHT SUPPORT: Establish and maintain a healthy weight while improving muscle tone and energy.
- PALATABLE CRUMBLES: Highly palatable, calorie-rich supplement formulated to help all types of horses maintain a healthy metabolism. Please note these are NOT pellets.
- COMPREHENSIVE SUPPORT: Vegetable fat provides easily digestible calories and increases your horse’s overall energy, and high-quality protein provides essential amino acids necessary for the body to build muscle.
- MADE WITH FIBER: Fiber helps keep the digestive system working smoothly.
- Formulated and manufactured by John Ewing Company in Colorado, USA, where we've been Helping Horses Succeed Since 1948.
- 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
- Establish and maintain a healthy weight while improving muscle tone and energy with a highly palatable, calorie-rich supplement formulated to help all types of horses maintain a healthy metabolism
- Vegetable fat provides easily digestible calories and increases your horse's overall energy, and high-quality protein provides essential amino acids necessary for the body to build muscle
- Daily Fresh Packs are sealed to keep out oxygen, moisture and sunlight, and are convenient for traveling, events and daily use in your feeding regimen
- Accurate, pre-measured packs are convenient and easy to use
- Purina
- Added Antioxidants including Vitamin E to help address the damaging effects of free radicals
- Calorically Dense controlled starch allows you to feed less
- Optimal fatty acid profile helps support the immune system and to promote optimum skin and hair coat
- 50 lbs
- HELPS MAINTAIN OPTIMAL WEIGHT AND BODY CONDITION with a nutritionally balanced high-fat formula.
- CONTAINS 50% FAT to provide more calories than equal weights of grain, so less volume needs to be fed.
- PROVIDES EASILY DIGESTIBLE CALORIES WITH NO SUGAR ADDED to safely add calories without the risk of digestive upset.
- HELPS MAINTAIN HEALTHY SKIN AND A GLOSSY COAT with omega-3 fatty acids from flaxseed meal and heat stabilized rice bran.
- DELIVERS A CALMING ENERGY to help horses reach and maintain rigorous performance demands.
- HELPS MAINTAIN OPTIMAL WEIGHT AND BODY CONDITION with a nutritionally balanced high-fat formula.
- CONTAINS 50% FAT to provide more calories than equal weights of grain, so less volume needs to be fed.
- PROVIDES EASILY DIGESTIBLE CALORIES WITH NO SUGAR ADDED to safely add calories without the risk of digestive upset.
- HELPS MAINTAIN HEALTHY SKIN AND A GLOSSY COAT with omega-3 fatty acids from flaxseed meal and heat stabilized rice bran.
- DELIVERS A CALMING ENERGY to help horses reach and maintain rigorous performance demands.
- HORSE SUPPLEMENTS - A high-fat, high-fiber feed offering essential nutrients for performance horses, promoting overall well-being and performance.
- HORSE WEIGHT GAIN SUPPLEMENT - Packed with calories from soy oil, rice bran, and flaxseed to support weight gain for underweight and hard-keeping horses.
- GASTRIC BUFFERING - Includes plant-based calcium and seaweed-derived ingredients to reduce ulcer risks and enhance gut health.
- HORSE PROTEIN SUPPLEMENT - Formulated with whey protein for optimal amino acid balance, aiding muscle growth and strong top line development.
- SPORT HORSE SUPPLEMENT - Chromium improves glucose utilization, delays fatigue, and enhances performance, tailored for equine athletes.
The Ultimate Guide to Buying High-Fat Horse Feed
Feeding your horse correctly is super important for its health. Sometimes, horses need extra energy that plain hay or grain just cannot give. This is where high-fat horse feed steps in. This guide helps you choose the best high-fat feed for your horse’s needs.
Key Features to Look For
When you shop for high-fat feed, look closely at the label. You want feed that gives your horse steady energy, not a sudden burst that might cause jitters. Pay attention to these main features:
- Guaranteed Fat Content: Good high-fat feeds usually list fat content between 10% and 20%. Higher fat means more calories for sustained energy.
- Digestible Fiber: Look for good sources of fiber, like beet pulp or hay pellets. Fiber helps keep the horse’s digestive system working smoothly.
- Low Starch/Sugar: A key benefit of high-fat feed is that it replaces a lot of starchy grains. Low starch levels prevent energy spikes and reduce the risk of metabolic issues.
- Balanced Vitamins and Minerals: Even though fat is the main focus, the feed must still provide all necessary vitamins and minerals for overall health.
Important Materials in High-Fat Feed
The quality of the ingredients directly affects how well your horse uses the feed. The fat source matters a lot.
Top Fat Sources:
- Flaxseed (Linseed): This is a fantastic source of Omega-3 fatty acids, which are great for coat shine and joint health.
- Rice Bran: Often stabilized rice bran is used. It offers good fat and some extra fiber.
- Soybean Oil or Vegetable Oils: These are very energy-dense and easy for the horse to digest.
Remember, the best feeds mix these fats with highly digestible fiber sources. Avoid feeds where the primary ingredients are cheap fillers.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
The way the feed is made and stored greatly impacts its value.
What Makes Quality Better?
- Stabilization: Fats can go bad quickly (become rancid). High-quality feeds use natural antioxidants (like Vitamin E) to keep the fats fresh and usable by your horse.
- Pelleting/Extrusion: Processing the feed correctly makes sure the nutrients are available for the horse to absorb.
- Freshness: Always check the “best by” date. Old feed loses nutritional value.
What Lowers the Quality?
- Excessive Sugar/Molasses: Sometimes manufacturers add too much molasses to make the feed taste better. This adds unnecessary sugar.
- Rancid Odor: If the feed smells oily, sour, or “off,” do not buy it. The fats have spoiled.
- Poor Storage: Feeds stored in hot, damp conditions break down faster.
User Experience and Use Cases
Different horses need high-fat feed for different reasons. Understanding when to use it helps you select the right product.
Who Benefits Most?
- Endurance Horses: These athletes need slow-release, sustained energy for long rides. High fat provides this “staying power.”
- Hard Keepers: If your horse loses weight easily, high-fat feed adds dense calories without overloading the stomach with starches.
- Older Horses: Senior horses often struggle to chew or digest large amounts of hay or grain. Fat is easier to process for calories.
- Performance Horses (Light to Moderate Work): It offers a cool source of energy, meaning the horse stays focused and calm.
When using this feed, you usually feed less volume compared to traditional grain mixes. Always introduce any new feed slowly over 7 to 10 days to let your horse’s gut adjust. Monitor your horse’s body condition closely after starting.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About High-Fat Horse Feed
Q: What is the main difference between high-fat feed and regular grain?
A: Regular grain relies mostly on starches (carbohydrates) for energy. High-fat feed gets most of its energy from fats, which release energy slowly. This avoids the “hot” feeling that high starch can cause.
Q: Is high-fat feed safe for easy keepers (horses that gain weight easily)?
A: It can be, but you must feed very small amounts. Easy keepers do better on high-fat feeds that also have very high fiber. You need careful portion control to prevent weight gain.
Q: How much fat is considered “high fat” in horse feed?
A: Generally, a feed is labeled high fat if it contains 10% fat or more on the guaranteed analysis. Some specialized feeds go up to 18% or 20%.
Q: Do I need to add extra oil if I feed high-fat pellets?
A: Usually, no. If the feed is properly formulated, it already supplies the necessary fats and essential fatty acids. Adding more might lead to an excess of calories.
Q: Can high-fat feed make my horse “hot” or spooky?
A: This is rare. High-fat feed is often called “cool energy.” The slow release of fat energy is the opposite of the fast energy rush you get from high-starch grains.
Q: How should I store this type of feed?
A: Store it in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight. Because of the higher oil content, it can spoil faster than plain grain if stored improperly.
Q: What is the best way to transition my horse onto this feed?
A: Always transition slowly. Start by replacing only 10% of the old feed with the new high-fat feed for the first few days. Gradually increase the amount over one week.
Q: Are there any risks associated with feeding too much fat?
A: Yes. Too much fat, especially if introduced too quickly, can cause digestive upset like loose manure or colic. Always follow the feeding guidelines on the bag.
Q: Does high-fat feed improve coat shine?
A: Yes, very often. The high levels of Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids found in good sources like flaxseed are excellent for promoting a healthy, shiny coat and good skin.
Q: Is this feed more expensive than regular feed?
A: Typically, yes. Fats are more expensive ingredients than basic grains. However, because high-fat feeds are so calorie-dense, you often feed a smaller total volume, which can balance the cost.