Conditioning the Poor Doer: A Guide to Feeding Underweight Horses

As the colder evenings approach and horse owners prepare to bring their horses in for winter, it’s common to notice weight loss in horses. This can be attributed to several factors, including reduced grazing opportunities, decreased grass quality, and the increased energy expenditure needed to stay warm. So, how can we help our “poor doers” maintain optimal condition throughout the colder months?

Understanding Poor Doers

A "poor doer" is typically characterized by a higher metabolic rate, meaning these horses burn fuel more quickly and require a greater caloric intake to maintain their weight. In contrast, “good doers” can thrive on lower energy inputs. Regular body condition scoring is essential for determining whether your horse needs to gain or lose weight and should be part of a weekly routine.

Forage: The Foundation of Weight Gain

The first step in improving a horse’s condition is to evaluate its forage and fibre intake. Ensure that horses receive a minimum of 1.5% of their body weight in forage on a dry matter basis. For poor doers, offering forage on an ad-lib basis is ideal. High-quality, dust-free, and mould-free forage is critical for weight gain.

When selecting hay, look for a good leaf-to-stem ratio; ample leaves indicate that the hay was harvested at peak nutrient composition, ensuring better quality. A higher fibre intake not only aids in digestion but also generates heat as a by-product, helping horses stay warm.

Concentrate Feeds: Meeting Caloric Needs

Once the forage is optimized, evaluate the concentrate portion of the diet. It’s crucial to feed the recommended amounts of the current hard feed to ensure caloric needs are met and that the diet is balanced with proteins, vitamins, and minerals. If you are already feeding at the recommended rate, consider switching to a high-fat conditioning feed instead of simply increasing meal size, which could lead to hindgut upset.

When looking for high-fat feeds, aim for those with an oil content of 6% or higher. Fat in the form of oil provides a concentrated source of calories, which is particularly beneficial for poor doers. Within the Bluegrass range, you can find several conditioning feeds designed to meet these needs:

• Cool N Condition Cubes: A high-fat feed that offers essential nutrients to help build condition without excessive starch.
• Prime Conditioning Mix: Formulated to provide concentrated energy while promoting healthy weight gain.
• Prep 14: A versatile option that is high in fat and supports overall condition.

For those seeking low-starch conditioning options, consider:

• Re-Leve Mix: A low-starch feed ideal for horses that may be sensitive to sugars.
• Re-Solve Cube: Another great choice for managing starch intake while promoting weight gain.

For additional calories without drastically changing the diet, consider:

• Turmash: A conditioning mash that provides extra calories and is easily digestible.
• Flax Plus Balancer: A high-fat supplement rich in omega-3 fatty acids.
• Equi-Jewel: A concentrated source of fat that can easily be added to any diet.

With the right approach to feeding and managing your horse's diet, you can help ensure that your poor doer maintains optimal condition throughout the winter months. Focus on high-quality forage, balanced concentrates, and consider incorporating the Bluegrass range of conditioning feeds to meet their specific nutritional needs. By closely monitoring body condition and adjusting the diet as necessary, you can help your horse thrive even in the coldest weather.