Best Senior Horse Feed for Weight Gain: Top Recommendations for 2023

The best bonding remains with the oldest. Senior horses are among those who stay with us for longer durations. With increasing age, the horse loses metabolism and strength, but it can be reversed. Scientifically formulated diets can help senior horses gain weight and reduce aging syndromes. We have figured out the best senior horse feed for weight gain and thrive in adverse conditions.

Knowing can’t lead to relying upon it until you know the other competitor's brands and their specifications to compare and choose the best for your older horse’s needs.

4 Best Senior Horse Feeds for Weight Gain: Highly Recommended
 

1. Manna Pro Senior Horse Weight Accelerator- Powered with Omega 3 Fatty Acids 

Manna Pro senior weight accelerator is powered with the goodness of omega-3 fatty acids from flaxseeds, fat, and calories to help fatten thin old horses. It contains probiotics, which help improve digestion.

• Manna Pro is an extremely palatable treat for older horses.
• Its high fat and calorie levels are suitable for a thin horse to regain weight and body condition.
• Omega-3 fatty acids are beneficial for healthy skin and the glossy coat of the horse.
• Probiotics added to Manna Pro make digestion and absorption easier.
• Vitamins and antioxidants present in the feed supplement are essential for an efficient immune system.

2. Formula 707 Weight Gain Equine Supplement: Calorie-Rich Nutritional Support for Senior Horses 

It is one of the best-rated feed supplements available for senior horses for weight gain. Its marketing value is not just because of its nutritional value but also because of its daily fresh packet availability in the 28-day serving capacity.

• Formula 707 promises a healthy weight and improved muscle tone.
• The product is rich in calories, which helps meet energy demand and keep horses' metabolisms up to par.
• Added vegetable fat in Formula 707 feed for senior horses increases your horse’s overall energy level.
• Essential amino acids are derived from the high-quality protein content of the product, which supports muscle building in the body.
• Advanced packaging of the product keeps oxygen and moisture away to keep the product fresh when served.

3. Purina Animal Nutrition Impact Professional Senior 50: A Complete Feed

Purina Impact Professional Senior Horse Feed helps your aging horses live their lives healthy and with full potential. It is composed of high-quality forage built in, which acts as the perfect alternative to hay or pasture.

• Purina professional senior horse feed contains high-quality ingredients that have been proven after years of research to support older horses' health and performance.
• It acts as a complete feed, and high-quality forage is equivalent to the hay or pasture in the old horse’s diet.
• The controlled addition of starch and sugar makes it digestion-friendly and minimizes the chances of colic in elderly horses.
• Purina claims to contain no corn or corn byproducts, making it safe for older horses that are prone to laminitis.

4. Horse Guard Super Weight Gain: Weight Gain Supplement for Senior Horses

Horse Guard Super Weight Gain should be your first choice if you want your senior horse to gain weight, but not through sugar and starch. The product comes with the goodness of quality protein, which helps older horses gain weight without disturbing their normal health parameters.

• Horse Guard Super Weight Gain contains prebiotics and probiotics, which help keep the horse’s gut healthy and maximize nutrient absorption.
• It ensures the availability of essential vitamins and trace minerals in the horse’s feed.
• The product is packed with full-oil soybeans, providing cool energy to the horse.
• Horse Guard prioritizes the use of bioavailable ingredients.

Compare which Senior Feeds are Best for Your Horse.

Nutritional Requirements of Senior Horses

When should I consider a horse "aged" or "senior"? You may say 15 or 20! It is not a single factor that decides the horse's age but a blend of several years from birth and the nutritional status of the horse. Some nutritional studies' patterns define 20 years of age as the threshold for older age in horses.

Old horses are susceptible to losing weight for various reasons, like parasitic loads or systemic diseases. If your horse is suffering from any of these reasons, then simply adding an adequate diet alone can’t do wonders for older horses' weight gain.

According to the studies, a senior horse must maintain a body condition score (BCS) of 5.5–6.5. The nutritional requirements of senior horses change significantly, leading to a difficult time gaining weight.

What should I do to make my older horse fat? Is there no way to counter the constant thinning of my senior horse? Relax; we have got your back.

Before we get into the top recommendation for senior horse feed, we will learn what ingredients to look for and why to consider including them in the senior horse’s diet.

Ingredients in Senior House Feed for Weight Gain

What can we call ‘best’ for the senior horse? It may be the combination of nutrients that increases stamina and leads to the optimum weight of the horse.

The best senior horse feed to gain weight must fulfill more calorie requirements in the form of highly digestible fiber and additional dietary fat. High-starch and high-sugar diets should be strictly restricted for horses.

With increasing age, horses lose the ability to digest the essential vitamins, minerals, and proteins in their bodies. Here are the important ingredients in the senior horse diet you must look for:

Crude Fibre

Older horses are more likely to get thin and have reduced body condition scores because of the deficiency of crude fiber in their diet.

A senior horse needs 16%–20% crude fiber (CF) content in the feed, whereas the CF requirement in younger horses is half of that.

Senior horse feed for weight gain has to contain digestible fiber alternatives like soybean pulp, beet pulp, etc. to provide the horse’s digestive system support and efficient calories.

Vitamin E

Senior horse feed must contain more vitamin E to aid in immunity. Lack of vitamin E induces a rapid generation of free radicals due to the various metabolic activities in the body. Vitamin E is essential to counter the extra free radicals produced during exercise and the heavy work of your senior horse when the body produces maximum free radicals.

High Fat and Calories

No matter whether it's a human or a horse, to combat weight loss, we need higher-calorie foods to regain weight and stamina. Fat contains twice as many calories per unit as carbohydrates. Although a high-calorie diet is not recommended for a debilitated or emaciated horse without a prior veterinarian check and recommendation,

Low in Sugar and Starch

Older horses are prone to Cushing’s disease, leading to disturbed metabolism of glucose and insulin in the body. A low-sugar and high-fiber diet improves insulin metabolism and reduces the chances of laminitis in senior horses.

Protein-rich diet

An old horse has more nutritional demand than a younger horse, and the same goes for protein. Protein content should be 12–16% in the senior horse’s diet to promote muscle mass growth.

Remember a basic formula before choosing the right feed for your senior horse to gain weight: Cut on sugars; higher fat, protein, and digestible fiber are all you need.

FAQs

Q1: What is the best senior horse feed for weight gain?

Ans: A high-calorie and protein feed is recommended with optimum amounts of prebiotics and probiotics to keep the older horse’s gut healthy. One must select a diet lower in starch and sugar to curb the chances of disturbed insulin metabolism in the body.

Q 2: What is the difference between the diet of a younger and senior horse?

Ans: There is a difference in the metabolism of younger and older horses, just as there is a difference in the level of nutrients in the diet of senior horses. Senior horses need more fat, protein, fortified minerals and vitamins, and digestible fibers in the feed.

Q 3: Why is my senior horse not gaining weight?

Ans: Senior horses develop conditions like arthritis, metabolic disorder, colic, hormonal imbalance, etc., which all lead to making them lose weight. The senior horse needs a formulated diet to cope with all such body conditions.

Q4: How can I fatten my old horse?

Ans: Fat sources are concentrated because they have twice as many calories as carbohydrates. Every gram of fat incorporated in a horse’s feed provides 2.25 times more calories than an equivalent carbohydrate. A combination of all dietary essentials in proportion is a must for senior horses to put on weight.

Q-5: Which age is considered senior in horses?

Between the ages of 15 and 18, a horse will begin to be regarded as a senior. A horse is unquestionably a senior by the time they reach the age of 20, but that does not imply it can no longer be ridden or enjoyed.

Conclusion:

Your senior horse needs immediate attention if it’s getting lean because of some underlying health issues, including arthritis, hormonal imbalance, metabolic disturbances, gut problems, and more. We can bring all these issues to one solution: an effective feeding strategy.

The specific demand for higher crude fiber and protein is higher in younger horses than in older ones. We need a tailored diet combined with nutrients and sufficient calories.

Every older horse has its unique demands for feed.

When your horse is old enough to not be able to eat hay on its own, Purina Impact Professional Senior Horse Feed comprises high-quality forage that acts as the perfect alternative to hay or pasture.

If your older horse is losing weight even after being supplied with good-quality feed, try your hands on additional omega-3 fatty acid supplements like Manna Pro Senior Weight Accelerator added with fat and calories to help the fattening of thin old horses.

These senior horse feeds are the best recommendations considering the overall well-being of aging horses and weight gain.

But before you start, consult your veterinarian regarding the best feed for senior horses and the correct dosage to be put into action.