🐴 Feeding Fat to Horses: High-Calorie, Low-Starch Nutrition in 2025 🥑💪

By Dr Duncan Houston BVSc

When you think of high-fat diets, horses probably aren’t the first species that comes to mind. But in 2025, fat is a smart and strategic addition to many equine diets—especially those needing high energy without the risks of excess grain. Let’s explore how fat works in your horse’s body, and when it’s the better alternative to carbohydrates. 🧠🐎

🥄 Why Feed Fat?

Fat provides 2.25 times more calories per gram than carbohydrates. That means your horse can get the same energy in less feed volume—a big benefit for:

• 🏋️ Performance horses
• 🧓 Seniors who struggle to keep weight on
• 🐴 Horses prone to colic or digestive issues

Fewer carbs = safer digestion. Large grain meals are associated with:

• ⚠️ Colic
• 🔥 Hindgut acidosis
• 💥 Laminitis

Fat avoids these pitfalls while delivering concentrated calories. ✅

🧪 How Horses Use Fat for Energy

According to Dr. Clair Thunes, PhD, horses burn fat during aerobic activity—low to moderate intensity work where oxygen is present in the muscles. This includes:

• 🚶 Trail riding
• 🏇 Endurance racing
• 🧘 Light training work

Feeding fat helps preserve glycogen (stored glucose) for anaerobic activity like sprinting or intense jumping, when tissues are low in oxygen. This balance can:

• 🕒 Delay fatigue
• 💪 Improve stamina

🌿 Omega Fatty Acids in Forage vs. Feed

Pasture and hay naturally contain omega-3 fatty acids, which are anti-inflammatory. However, many grain-based commercial feeds contain more omega-6 fatty acids, which can be pro-inflammatory. ❌

To help balance inflammation in your horse’s body, consider feeds or supplements that increase:

• 🥇 Omega-3s from flaxseed, chia seed, or fish oil
• ✅ Total fat calories from vegetable oils or stabilized rice bran

Tip: Omega-3s support joint health, skin, and hooves—especially valuable for older or arthritic horses. 🦴✨

🥣 How to Feed Fat Safely

You can introduce fat through:

• 🥄 Vegetable oils (e.g., flaxseed oil, soybean oil, corn oil)
• 🌰 Stabilized rice bran
• 🌿 Commercial high-fat feeds (often 8–12% fat)

Start gradually to allow your horse’s system to adapt:

• ➡️ Begin with ¼ cup per feeding
• 🕒 Increase over 7–10 days
• 📊 Feed up to 2 cups/day depending on energy need

⚖️ Balancing the Ration

While adding oil or fat supplements can increase calories, it’s crucial that:

• 🧪 Vitamins and minerals remain balanced
• 📈 Protein levels are adjusted if needed

For example, added fat boosts absorption of fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K. But too much fat without appropriate balance can skew energy and mineral ratios. 🚫

That’s why commercial high-fat feeds are often safer than DIY oil additions. These are formulated with appropriate vitamin, mineral, and amino acid support. ✅

📲 Ask A Vet for Fat Feeding Plans

Not sure how much fat your horse needs? Visit AskAVet.com or use the Ask A Vet App to get customized high-fat feeding plans, omega ratio guides, and energy balance calculators. 📱🐴

Dr Duncan Houston and the Ask A Vet team are happy to help balance performance, condition, and gut health. 💬🧠

🏁 Final Thoughts

In 2025, feeding fat is not only safe—it’s often smarter than feeding too much grain. For horses that need more calories, endurance, or support for inflammation, high-fat rations are a powerful tool—when used wisely and balanced correctly. 🥑🐴

Need a fat feed comparison chart or omega-3 tracker? Visit AskAVet.com to download now 💪📊