Is Your Horse Too Skinny?

"My horse is too skinny. What can I do?" 😩

Now, as a horse owner myself, I know how worrying it can be when your four-legged friend just can't seem to keep weight on...

No matter how much you feed them or how carefully you follow your vet's advice.

It's frustrating, it's scary, and it can leave you feeling helpless.

But here's the thing:

There's almost always a solution. You just need to know where to look.

So today, I want to dive deep into this issue and share some insights that might just change the game for you and your skinny horse.

Ready? Let's gallop right in!

The Skinny Horse Dilemma: What's Really Going On?

First things first, let's talk about what might be causing your horse's weight issues.

Now,  if you've already:

1. Dewormed your horse
2. Had a vet check
3. Made sure their teeth are in good shape

Great! You're ahead of the game.

But here's the kicker:

Even with all that, some horses still struggle to maintain a healthy weight.

Why? Well, there could be a few reasons:

1. Dietary imbalances
2. Digestive issues
3. Underlying health problems
4. Stress or environmental factors

The key is to identify which of these might be affecting your horse.

But don't worry, we're going to tackle each of these head-on.

The Foundation: Roughage is King

Before we dive into specific solutions, let's talk about the cornerstone of any horse's diet:

Roughage 🙌

I can't stress this enough:

Good quality hay or pasture should always be the foundation of your horse's diet.

Why?

Because horses are designed to be constant grazers. Their digestive systems work best when they're processing a steady stream of fiber-rich food.

So, step one in your skinny horse transformation:

Make sure your horse has unlimited access to high-quality hay or pasture.

When Good Hay Isn't Enough: Enter the Power of Mash

Now, what if your horse has dental issues that make it hard to chew hay?

Or what if they're just not getting enough nutrients from hay alone?

That's where a good mash comes in.

But not just any mash will do.

You want one that's:

• High in fiber
• Low in sugar
• Easy to digest

Some great options include: ZUPA, Seniores Priores, Fibrbeet, ...

These mashes can provide the extra nutrients your horse needs without overloading their system with hard-to-digest grains.

The Protein Powerhouse: Alfalfa

Speaking of extra nutrients, let's talk about alfalfa.

This isn't just any old hay. Alfalfa is a protein powerhouse that can really help put weight on a skinny horse.

But that's not all. Alfalfa also:

• Provides essential amino acids
• Offers a good source of calcium
• Helps buffer stomach acid (great for horses prone to ulcers)

So consider adding some alfalfa to your horse's diet. It might just be the boost they need. 💥💪

Your Secret Weapon: The Right Blend of Oils

Now, I know what you might be thinking:

"I've heard horses can't digest oil because they don't have a gallbladder!" 🤔

But here's the truth:

While horses don't have a gallbladder, they absolutely can digest fats. They just need the right kind of fat, in the right amounts.

And that's where our Grow&Glow oil comes in.

This isn't your average corn oil (which, by the way, is high in inflammatory omega-6 fatty acids).

Grow&Glow is a specially formulated blend of:

1. Flaxseed oil (high in omega-3s)
2. Microalgae oil (our secret ingredient!)
3. Coconut oil

Allowing you to increase the energy density of your horse’s diet with extra fat, without feeding extra grain. With typical hay/grain diets a horse is only able to utilize 50-60% of the energy in the feed vs 90% of the energy in oils.

Why This Blend is Superior for Horses

Balanced Omega 6:3 ratio

Unlike corn oil (often used in horse diets), which is high in omega-6 and can contribute to inflammation and related issues, Grow & Glow blend prioritizes omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential for supporting cell function and immune function, and promoting overall health. 

With microalgae oil providing DHA—a form of omega-3 that’s immediately usable by your horse—this blend ensures your horse gets the fatty acids they need for optimal health without the inflammatory risks of omega-6-heavy oils.

The power of combining ALA from flaxseed oil and DHA from microalgae oil

Think of omega-3s as a power duo for your horse's health. 

New research shows that flaxseed oil's ALA (omega-3) is like a smart detective that finds health sensitivities, while microalgae oil's DHA (omega-3) is the superhero that instantly supports them. So you need both!

Horses can only convert a tiny 10% of ALA into useful omega-3s, which means traditional supplements with only flaxseed are mostly wasted. 

By combining ALA's immune-signaling abilities with DHA's direct cellular support, this combo provides a scientific breakthrough: better immune function, faster healing, and stronger overall health that ALA alone could never achieve.

Enhanced Absorption with Coconut Oil (MCTs)

Coconut oil’s medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) boost the incorporation of omega-3s into cell membranes, making their benefits—like healthier skin, hooves, and energy metabolism—available faster. MCTs also provide easily digestible energy for active or recovering horses.

Antioxidant Protection with Vitamin E

Vitamin E protects omega-3s from oxidation, ensuring they remain effective while also supporting your horse’s immune and muscle health. Natural vitamin E is significantly more bioavailable than synthetic forms, meaning your horse absorbs and uses it more efficiently. This is crucial when adding oils to your horse’s diet to maximize their benefits and maintain overall health.

Avoiding the Pitfalls of Single Oils

• Omega-6 Overload: Oils high in omega-6, like corn or sunflower, can worsen inflammation.
• Linseed Limitations: Only 10% of ALA converts to usable omega-3, making it less efficient than microalgae oil.

Key Takeaway 📌

The Grow & Glow blend delivers a perfectly balanced, highly bioavailable solution that supports your horse’s health more effectively than any single oil.

How to Use Oil Safely

Now, it’s true that horses can’t handle large amounts of fat at once.

That’s why we recommend splitting the daily dose over at least two meals and gradually introducing it into their diet.

This allows their digestive system to adjust and ensures they can comfortably process the added fat without any issues.

When used as directed, oil supplementation is not only safe but has been scientifically proven to support gut health, body weight, stamina, skin health and overall immunity.

When Diet Alone Isn't Cutting It: The Gut Health Connection

Now, here's where things get really interesting.

Sometimes, even with the perfect diet, horses still struggle to gain weight.

Why?

Because the problem isn't what's going into their body... it's how their body is processing it.

That's right, we're talking about gut health.

And this is where a product like Guts&Glory comes in, in combination with Grow&Glow. 

This isn't just another probiotic. It's a holistic approach to gut health that:

1. Repairs intestinal cells
2. Strengthens the gut barrier
3. Improves digestion with digestive enzymes
4. Balances the microbiome with pre- and probiotics and Saccharomyces

In other words, it helps your horse get the most out of every bite they eat.

But here's the kicker:

Most probiotics on the market? They're just pre- and probiotics.

And sure, that sounds good on paper...

But if the intestine itself isn't healthy, those probiotics are just going to flush right out.

That's where Guts&Glory is different.

We don't just add good bacteria and hope for the best.

We restore the entire ecosystem.

Think of it like this:

We're not just adding fish to a polluted pond. We're cleaning the water, balancing the pH, adding plants, and THEN introducing the fish. 🧑‍🔬🐟

The result?

A thriving, balanced gut environment where those good bacteria can really go to work.

And a horse that's finally able to use all the nutrients you're providing.

Now that's what I call getting the most out of every bite! 🍽️💪🐴

The Bottom Line

If you're dealing with a skinny horse, remember:

1. Start with a solid foundation of good-quality roughage
2. Consider adding a fibre-rich, low-sugar mash if needed
3. Don't forget the power of protein (alfalfa)
4. Add the right kind of oil, like Grow&Glow, for an extra calorie boost
5. Address gut health with a product like Guts&Glory