How long will it take for my underweight horse to gain weight safely?

Safe weight gain is a slow, steady journey. Depending on how underweight your horse is, it can take anywhere from 3 to 10 months to reach their ideal condition. Building topline takes longer than simply gaining body fat so a suitable exercise plan should be put in place to help those who need to build muscle too.

What is the difference between "topline" and "fat"?

This is a very common point of confusion! Topline is made of muscle (running down the neck, over the back, and to the tail head). Nutritionally, condition simply refers to fat cover. You cannot build topline (or any muscle) without the correct physical exercise to stimulate it. But your horse also needs enough calories and high-quality protein in their diet to support this process.

Can I just feed my poor doer more barley, oats, or maize to speed up weight gain?

Modern feeding has mostly moved away from the old-fashioned straight feeding practices we commonly relied on. While traditional cereal grains tend to be calorie-dense, they are high in starch and nutritionally unbalanced. We now know feeding large amounts of cereal can be more problematic and less beneficial than simply selecting lower starch compound feeds which are already nutritionally balanced. Well-formulated products are readily available, with carefully considered ingredients to include quality protein sources, highly digestible fibres and many include extra digestive support offering a more sympathetic way of feeding.

My horse hates the taste of oil. How can I get them to eat it?

Horses have incredibly sensitive senses of smell and taste. If you pour a large glug of oil directly onto their feed, it’s common they refuse it. The trick is to introduce it slowly, starting with just a teaspoon or two a meal and build up over several weeks for those aiming for larger amounts. Alternatively, choosing a feed like SPILLERS Ulca Fibre or SPILLERS Digest+ Conditioning Cubes, which are already formulated with high levels of oil blended directly into the recipe improves palatability and offers a simpler solution.

Why is my poor doer leaving their feed, and how can I help them finish it?

Horses are trickle feeders by nature, and their stomachs are relatively small (about the size of a rugby ball). If you feed large bucket meals, they can quickly feel full or "over-faced". Always keep individual meals to a maximum of 2kgs (dry weight) for a horse - or 1kg for a 12.2 pony. If they still leave food, try splitting their daily ration into three or four smaller feeds spread throughout the day. Some won’t eat much breakfast if they’re keen to get outside so keep this meal small. Also, review their diet to make sure your choice of feeds are all calorie dense so you’re maximizing each mouthful. Try adding tempting flavours as mentioned above.

We are here to help...

At SPILLERS, we are dedicated to providing expert support and guidance for your horse’s nutritional needs. Whether you have a question about our products, need advice on feeding, or would like to speak to one of our Nutrition Advisors, we're here to help.

The team are available Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm on 01908 226626.

If you would like to request a call back, contact us via email, book a yard visit or have another enquiry, please use the links below.

FAQs

All Questions horse underweight

How long will it take for my underweight horse to gain weight safely?

Safe weight gain is a slow, steady journey. Depending on how underweight your horse is, it can take anywhere from 3 to 10 months to reach their ideal condition. Building topline takes longer than simply gaining body fat so a suitable exercise plan should be put in place to help those who need to build muscle too.
What is the difference between "topline" and "fat"?

This is a very common point of confusion! Topline is made of muscle (running down the neck, over the back, and to the tail head). Nutritionally, condition simply refers to fat cover. You cannot build topline (or any muscle) without the correct physical exercise to stimulate it. But your horse also needs enough calories and high-quality protein in their diet to support this process.
Can I just feed my poor doer more barley, oats, or maize to speed up weight gain?

Modern feeding has mostly moved away from the old-fashioned straight feeding practices we commonly relied on. While traditional cereal grains tend to be calorie-dense, they are high in starch and nutritionally unbalanced. We now know feeding large amounts of cereal can be more problematic and less beneficial than simply selecting lower starch compound feeds which are already nutritionally balanced. Well-formulated products are readily available, with carefully considered ingredients to include quality protein sources, highly digestible fibres and many include extra digestive support offering a more sympathetic way of feeding.
My horse hates the taste of oil. How can I get them to eat it?

Horses have incredibly sensitive senses of smell and taste. If you pour a large glug of oil directly onto their feed, it’s common they refuse it. The trick is to introduce it slowly, starting with just a teaspoon or two a meal and build up over several weeks for those aiming for larger amounts. Alternatively, choosing a feed like SPILLERS Ulca Fibre or SPILLERS Digest+ Conditioning Cubes, which are already formulated with high levels of oil blended directly into the recipe improves palatability and offers a simpler solution.
Why is my poor doer leaving their feed, and how can I help them finish it?

Horses are trickle feeders by nature, and their stomachs are relatively small (about the size of a rugby ball). If you feed large bucket meals, they can quickly feel full or "over-faced". Always keep individual meals to a maximum of 2kgs (dry weight) for a horse - or 1kg for a 12.2 pony. If they still leave food, try splitting their daily ration into three or four smaller feeds spread throughout the day. Some won’t eat much breakfast if they’re keen to get outside so keep this meal small. Also, review their diet to make sure your choice of feeds are all calorie dense so you’re maximizing each mouthful. Try adding tempting flavours as mentioned above.