How to Put Weight in the Area of the Spine & Tailhead on a Horse

The clearest indication that a horse has lost considerable weight is when the ribs are visible and can easily be felt. The spinal column has ceased to be covered by muscle and fat, and projects above the back. This appearance signifies a loss of about 100 pounds from a horse normally weighing around 1,000 pounds. The tail head of a horse in a healthy condition is covered by a spongy layer of fat, whereas it will become more prominent and fleshy as a horse loses weight. There are various things you can try to increase weight in these areas.

Things You'll Need

  • Grain
  • Hay
  • Water
  • Room to exercise
  • Fat source
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Instructions

  1. Instructions

    • 1

      Get the advice of your veterinarian. She will advise you on how to best enable your horse to gain weight, or suggest reasons why your horse has problems maintaining weight. Your vet also can administer tests to ensure your horse does not have a serious condition that prevents it gaining weight. Likewise, she can devise a de-worming program to prevent parasites damaging the intestines.

    • 2

      Increase the horse's grain intake gradually. Wait at least a week before increasing the portion, as overloading a horse with starch can harm the animal by inducing founder or colic. A high grain diet also can cause stomach ulcers, which will reduce the horse's appetite. A low-protein variety of grain is preferable for a skinny horse with a fast metabolism as it provides calories but less energy.

    • 3

      Allow your horse access to as much hay as he likes. Hay is your horse's main source of fiber and will add weight quicker than grain. A high protein hay, such as alfalfa, will add weight and energy. Clover hay is usually popular with horses and also is high in energy.

    • 4

      Maintain a consistent exercise regime. This is essential in developing the horse's muscle rather than simply more fat. Furthermore, horses are never happier than when they're outdoors, unless the weather is inclement, so give the animal as much turnout time as possible.

    • 5

      Add a weight-gain supplement in the form of fat as a top dressing. Popular additives are oils, sunflower seeds, linseed or rice bran. A good option is to introduce 1 cup of vegetable oil to the horse's diet, which could replace a portion of her grain intake. Fat is free from carbohydrates and increases calories.

      You may want to consult with your vet if you are unsure on how much you should be allowing the horse.

    • 6

      Consider why your horse doesn't seem to be feeding properly. Check your horses teeth. If the teeth are worn down, he is unable to grind down or chew food properly and the amount of food he consumes naturally decreases.

    • 7

      Improve the horse's environment to increase her appetite and thus allow her to possibly gain more weight. Boredom often is a contributory factor to loss of appetite.