What to Feed a Poor Doer or a Horse That Needs to Gain Weight

When a horse struggles to maintain condition, the natural reaction is often to make the bucket bigger.

More feed. More meals. More calories.

But before simply increasing everything, it's worth looking at the whole picture.

A horse that needs to gain weight needs an appropriate supply of energy and nutrients – but the starting point should still be forage.

First, Ask Why the Horse Is Losing Condition

If a horse has unexpectedly lost weight or is struggling to maintain condition despite being fed appropriately, don't assume that it simply needs more food.

Dental health, parasite burden, forage intake and quality, workload, age and underlying health problems can all affect body condition.

Unexplained or persistent weight loss warrants veterinary investigation.

Once health concerns have been addressed, you can look at whether the horse's diet is supplying enough to meet its requirements.

Make Forage the Foundation

Forage should provide the foundation of a poor doer's diet.

Assess both the quantity and quality of forage available and consider whether the horse is actually eating enough of it.

Older horses and those with dental problems may require specific forage alternatives under appropriate professional guidance.

Increase Energy Thoughtfully

When additional calories are genuinely required, we'd favour building the ration around suitable fibre sources rather than immediately relying on very large cereal-heavy meals.

Depending on the individual horse, the bucket might contain:

• A generous amount of suitable chaff
• An appropriate conditioning fibre compound mix or cubes
• Correctly prepared unmolassed sugar beet

Follow the manufacturer's recommended feeding rate. If a larger daily quantity is required, divide it into appropriately sized meals rather than giving one enormous bucket.

Think Beyond Calories

Condition isn't only about body fat.

If the goal includes supporting muscle development and topline, the overall diet needs to provide appropriate protein and amino acids alongside sufficient energy.
HERCULES can be considered where targeted amino acid support is appropriate.

Depending on the individual horse, GYMNAST or SUPER SOUND may be included for joint nutritional support, while BUCK OFF may be considered for horses that are naturally reactive or unsettled.

SKIN TONIC may also be included where nutritional support for normal skin and coat condition is desired.

An Example Feeding Plan for a Poor Doer

A typical approach might look like:

Forage: suitable good-quality forage forming the foundation of the ration.

Bucket feed: generous chaff + appropriate conditioning fibre compound mix/cubes + soaked unmolassed sugar beet.

Targeted nutritional support: HERCULES + GYMNAST or SUPER SOUND, with BUCK OFF and/or SKIN TONIC where appropriate.

The important thing is to monitor progress rather than simply continuing to increase feed indefinitely.

Bodyweight and body condition should be assessed regularly so the ration can be adjusted as the horse changes.

Explore Our Equine Nutrition Guides

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📖 What to Feed a Performance Horse →

📖 What to Feed a Senior Horse →

Important Feeding Note

This feeding plan is a general guide only and should not be used to diagnose or manage unexplained weight loss. A horse that is losing weight unexpectedly, failing to gain condition despite appropriate feeding, or showing other signs of ill health should be assessed by a vet.

Individual feeding requirements depend on factors including bodyweight, body condition, forage, age, workload, dental health, metabolism and medical history. Always follow feed manufacturers' feeding and preparation instructions, introduce dietary changes gradually and consult your vet or a suitably qualified equine nutritionist if you are unsure about your horse's requirements.