Putting weight on a skinny horse can be a difficult and frustrating task. There are many different causes of weight loss in horses and feeding strategies will depend on why your horse is underweight in the first place.
Weight loss occurs when a horse is in a negative energy balance, meaning that they are consuming less caloric energy than they are using in a day.
Weight loss is especially common in senior horses which may be affected by multiple issues that contribute to reduced feed intake, poor digestion and nutrient use.
Poor dental health, gastrointestinal issues and low social standing can also contribute to weight loss.
It is also important to select the right energy sources to promote healthy weight gain without causing metabolic dysfunction.
Follow these 10 steps to develop a feeding plan to help your underweight horse gain weight.
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