🍚 Vet Nutrition 2025: Adding Fat to Your Horse’s Diet Safely for Weight Gain 🐴🥄

Author: Dr Duncan Houston, BVSc

Some horses struggle to keep weight on—but increasing carbohydrates isn’t always the best answer. Horses with equine metabolic syndrome, a history of colic, laminitis, or ulcers often need a more cautious approach. For these horses, adding fat to the diet is a safe and effective strategy to boost calories without overloading the gut. In this 2025 guide, Dr Duncan Houston walks you through the best fat sources and how to introduce them safely. 🐎🧈

💡 Why Add Fat Instead of Carbs?

Carbohydrates (starches and sugars) are an easy way to increase calories, but they can:

• 💥 Trigger colic or ulcers
• 📉 Exacerbate insulin resistance in EMS horses
• 🔥 Increase the risk of laminitis and founder

Fat, on the other hand, is a dense, cool-burning energy source that does not produce the same digestive stress as grains or starches. ✅

🥄 Fat Sources for Horses in 2025

1️⃣ High-Fat Concentrates

• 🍽️ Typically contain up to 12% fat
• 🌱 Use vegetable oil, rice bran, or sometimes flaxseed, dried distillers grains, or full-fat soybeans
• 💡 Convenient and balanced with protein and minerals

2️⃣ Vegetable Oil

• 💧 100% fat and easy to mix with feed
• 🛢️ Start at 2 oz twice daily, building up to 8 oz twice daily
• ⚠️ Choose oils wisely based on fatty acid balance:

3️⃣ Stabilized Rice Bran

• 🍚 About 20% fat
• 🥣 Very palatable and easy to mix into daily feed
• 👍 Preferred for horses sensitive to messy oil

🧠 Dr Duncan Houston’s Tip

"Fats are a powerful tool—but introduce them slowly. Always balance the rest of the diet and monitor your horse's condition and energy levels closely." 🐴📈

📋 How to Add Fat Safely

• ⏱️ Introduce new fat sources gradually over 7–10 days
• 🥄 Start with 2 oz of oil or 0.5 lb of rice bran daily
• 🔁 Increase slowly to avoid digestive upset
• 📊 Monitor weight, coat, and energy weekly

❌ What to Avoid

• ❌ Using rancid oils—always store fats in cool, dark places
• ❌ Overloading fats without balancing other nutrients
• ❌ Assuming more is always better—excess fat can reduce feed intake

🛠️ When to Use Fat in the Diet

Adding fat is especially helpful for horses who:

• 🐴 Are underweight or in hard work
• 💥 Have metabolic concerns and need low-starch diets
• 🌾 React negatively to grains or sweet feed
• 🔥 Struggle with ulcer management or have sensitive digestive systems

🔚 Final Word: Fat Is Your Friend—If Used Right

For horses who can’t handle heavy grain-based feeds, fat offers a safe, effective, and flexible way to add calories. With the right source and slow introduction, fat can support weight gain, stamina, and coat health without compromising your horse’s gut or metabolic balance. 🐎🧈

Need a tailored nutrition plan? Visit AskAVet.com or download the Ask A Vet app to speak with an equine nutrition specialist today. 📱🥣