Instructions
Check your horse's teeth. Many older horses have dental problems -- such as teeth that are worn down unevenly -- that make it difficult for them to chew pellets and hay. Water down your horse's food to make a mash, and buy hay cubes that can be soaked. Discuss with your veterinarian the possibility of having your horse's teeth floated to make chewing easier.
Maintain a worming schedule. All horses should be on a regular, rotational worming schedule or daily worming supplement. Worms make it difficult for senior horses to gain or maintain a healthy weight.
Switch feeds or add a supplement. Older horses often need to switch to a senior feed -- one with a higher level of protein -- and have their standard hay supplemented with alfalfa or another rich hay. Some older horses benefit from commercial weigh- building supplements, or having a small amount of corn oil added to their feed each day.
Offer your horse its own space. Senior horses often have more difficulty moving around. Ensure that your horse has an area where it can get away from younger horses who may steal its food or hay.
Be sensitive to your older horse's needs. When it is cold or windy, make sure that your horse has a blanket on to help protect it from the weather. When possible, let your horse outside to prevent stiffness and soreness,. Allow your horse to enter the barn or shelter as desired.
Have your vet complete diagnostic testing. If nothing else has worked, ask your veterinarian to run some tests on your older horse to determine why it is not gaining weight. Blood tests, liver and kidney function tests, glucose tolerance tests and ultrasounds are common tests that your vet may decide to run.
How to Put Weight on Older Horses
Older horses often require more care than they did in their younger days. Many older horses lose weight as they age, and in most cases the weight loss is related to a treatable condition or dietary issue. Staying on top of your horse's health and nutrition is key to increasing and maintaining your older horse's weight at a healthy level. Not all techniques work for all horses; work with your veterinarian to create a personalized weight gain plan for your senior equine.