Weight Loss in Horses Vet Guide 2025 – Dr Duncan Houston 🐴⚖️

By Dr Duncan Houston, BVSc – expert guidance on identifying, diagnosing, and reversing weight loss in horses through veterinary care and tailored nutrition.

Introduction

Weight loss in horses—also called ill-thrift—is a common and often under-recognized problem. While seniors are especially prone, horses of all ages can suffer. When calorie loss exceeds calorie intake, weight drops. However, the underlying causes vary widely—from dental disease to systemic illness. This guide helps you assess, diagnose, treat, and monitor weight loss effectively in 2025. ⚠️

📏 Defining Underweight: Body Condition & Weight

Rather than a bodyweight number, we use the Henneke Body Condition Score (BCS) from 1 (emaciated) to 9 (obese): horses scoring 4 or below are considered underweight :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}.

Monthly BCS checks and weight estimates using girth/length tapes help track trends :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}.

🔍 Common Causes of Weight Loss

Weight loss is always a symptom, not a disease. Common underlying causes include:

• **Dental problems** (malocclusion, sharp points) leading to poor chewing and feed inefficiency—signs include quidding, slow eating, dropped feed :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}.
• **Parasites**—strongyles or tapeworms damage the gut lining and reduce nutrient absorption :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}.
• **Malnutrition/feeding management**—inadequate quantity, poor quality forage, or sudden changes :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}.
• **Social Hierarchy**—subordinate horses may get bullied and miss meals :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}.
• **Systemic disease** including PPID, metabolic disease, GI disease, lung or cardiac problems :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}.
• **Dental & musculoskeletal pain** can lower appetite or reduce feeder access :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}.
• **Horse is a hard keeper**—some individuals struggle to maintain weight without high-energy forage :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}.

🩺 Clinical Signs & Red Flags

• Visible ribs, backbone, or sunken topline :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}.
• Dull coat, poor hoof quality, lethargy, reduced performance :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}.
• Quidding, slow eating, feed dropping, mouth pain :contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14}.
• Frequent colic, diarrhea, rough coat, pot belly (foals) :contentReference[oaicite:15]{index=15}.
• Marked herd-related feeding avoidance or isolation :contentReference[oaicite:16]{index=16}.

🧪 Diagnostic Work-Up

• Thorough physical exam including BCS, teeth, gut sounds, hoof, body condition.
• Dental exam and float if needed :contentReference[oaicite:17]{index=17}.
• Fecal egg count and deworming plan :contentReference[oaicite:18]{index=18}.
• Blood work (CBC, biochemistry, endocrine tests for PPID/EMS) :contentReference[oaicite:19]{index=19}.
• Gastroscopy if ulcers suspected—ulcers cause pain and poor condition :contentReference[oaicite:20]{index=20}.
• Ultrasound/ultrasound imaging if GI or respiratory disease is suspected.

🛠 Treatment & Nutritional Plans

1. Fix dental issues—floating improves chewing and digestion.
2. Parasite control—fecal-based deworming reduces GI damage :contentReference[oaicite:21]{index=21}.
3. Assess social feeding dynamics—provide singles pens or multiple feeders for bullied horses.
4. Quality forage: Minimum 1.5–2.5% bodyweight in high-quality hay/grass daily :contentReference[oaicite:22]{index=22}.
5. Calorie-dense supplements: beet pulp, rice bran, vegetable oils, alfalfa for hard keepers :contentReference[oaicite:23]{index=23}.
6. Small frequent meals—improves digestion and minimizes GI upset :contentReference[oaicite:24]{index=24}.
7. Address ulcers—omeprazole or antacids as prescribed; improvements often follow
8. Manage underlying disease—treat endocrine, renal, or respiratory issues appropriately.
9. Exercise: low-impact work to build muscle and support metabolism.

📊 Monitoring & Evaluation

• Reassess BCS and weight tape every 2–4 weeks.
• Adjust calories based on gain—if plateauing, increase fat or forage intake.
• Track behavior, feed intake, manure, and coat changes.
• Repeat diagnostics if condition does not improve in 1–2 months.

📌 Prevention & Routine Management

• Regular dental exams and floats.
• PAT-based deworming program.
• Maintain at least 1.5% forage intake year-round.
• Use weigh tape and BCS monthly.
• Provide feeding safety for low-ranked herd members.
• Monitor hard keepers with targeted high-energy feeds.
• Stay vigilant for early signs of illness or stress.

📋 Summary Table

Conclusion & Ask A Vet Support 📲

Weight loss is a red flag—not normal. But with the right evaluation, veterinary care, and nutritional planning, most horses regain health successfully. Don’t delay: early intervention is key.

Need personalized weight recovery plans, dental reminders, or metabolic assessments? Ask A Vet offers tailored feeding strategies, health tracking, and tele-vet consults via our app. Download the Ask A Vet App today to support your horse’s journey to recovery and vitality. 🐎🌟