Does your horse look a little too thin lately? Seeing ribs poke through a coat can worry any horse owner. You want your horse to feel strong, happy, and full of energy, but sometimes extra hay and grain just aren’t enough to put on those necessary pounds.
Choosing the right weight gainer is often more confusing than it should be. With hundreds of products on the shelf, it is hard to know which ingredients are truly safe and effective. Many owners waste money on supplements that don’t work or, worse, cause digestive upset. You deserve a clear path to helping your horse reach a healthy body condition without the guesswork.
In this guide, we will break down exactly what your horse needs to gain weight safely. You will learn how to read labels, spot high-quality ingredients, and avoid common nutritional mistakes. We take the stress out of the process so you can focus on what matters most: your horse’s health.
Are you ready to help your horse look and feel their best? Let’s dive into the essential steps for choosing the perfect weight gainer and getting your horse back on track.
Top Horse Weight Gainer Recommendations
- HIGH FAT AND CALORIE LEVELS: Manna Pro Senior Weight Accelerator is specially formulated with high fat and calorie content to help senior horses gain and maintain a healthy body condition, supporting energy needs and overall vitality in older horses.
- OMEGA-3 FATTY ACIDS FOR SKIN & COAT: Senior Horse Supplement contains flaxseed-derived Omega-3s to support skin hydration, reduce dryness, and promote a glossy coat. Helps aging horses maintain healthy skin, improved coat condition, and vitality.
- FORMULATED FOR SENIOR HORSES: Tailored nutrition for aging horses with probiotics for digestion, biotin for hoof strength, & controlled starch levels to support metabolic health—delivering balanced energy, immunity, & joint mobility in one great formula.
- ESSENTIAL VITAMINS & ANTIOXIDANTS: Packed with vital vitamins, antioxidants that support a healthy immune system & help protect senior horses from oxidative stress, promoting overall wellness, vitality & resilience to keep them feeling their best.
- HIGHLY PALATABLE & EASY TO FEED: Specially designed for senior horses, this soft, easy-to-chew pellet ensures consistent intake. Fortified with amino acids and antioxidants to support aging joints, muscle maintenance, and overall vitality in older horses.
- HIGH IN FAT: Contains 99% fat, which is an excellent source of calories and contains more than two times the energy of carbohydrates
- COOL ENERGY: High calorie density of Cool Calories 100 provides cool, focused energy for performance horses
- WEIGHT AND BODY CONDITION: Concentrated source of calories supports healthy weight gain and body condition for underweight horses and hard-keepers and reduces the need to feed more grain
- FATTY ACIDS: Contains fatty acids to support desirable skin and glossy coat condition
- HIGHLY PALATABLE: Easy to feed and highly palatable
- WEIGHT SUPPORT: Establish and maintain a healthy weight while improving muscle tone and energy.
- PALATABLE CRUMBLES: Highly palatable, calorie-rich supplement formulated to help all types of horses maintain a healthy metabolism. Please note these are NOT pellets.
- COMPREHENSIVE SUPPORT: Vegetable fat provides easily digestible calories and increases your horse’s overall energy, and high-quality protein provides essential amino acids necessary for the body to build muscle.
- MADE WITH FIBER: Fiber helps keep the digestive system working smoothly.
- Formulated and manufactured by John Ewing Company in Colorado, USA, where we've been Helping Horses Succeed Since 1948.
- 3-IN-1 FORMULA FOR TOTAL SUPPORT: Combines full-fat extruded soybeans, probiotics, and Horse Guard’s vitamin-mineral package into one powerful horse weight gain supplement for healthy weight, coat, and digestion.
- VISIBLE RESULTS FOR HARD KEEPERS: Ideal for senior, rescue, or underweight horses; promotes safe, healthy weight gain while improving energy and topline. The go-to weight builder for horses needing extra care.
- BETTER COAT, BETTER CONFIDENCE: Extruded soy improves coat shine and skin health. Helps your horse look and feel better from the inside out with a high-quality horse feed supplement that makes results visible.
- DIGESTIVE SUPPORT & IMMUNE DEFENSE: Prebiotics and probiotics boost gut health and nutrient absorption, while 1,500 IU of Vitamin E per dose supports a strong immune system – ideal for stressed, recovering, or sensitive horses.
- EASY DOSING, 20 SERVINGS PER BAG: Each 10 lb bag contains approx. 20 servings for a 1,000 lb horse. Scoop included. Trusted since 1978, Horse Guard delivers premium equine supplements with science-backed nutrition.
- Establish and maintain a healthy weight while improving muscle tone and energy with a highly palatable, calorie-rich supplement formulated to help all types of horses maintain a healthy metabolism
- Vegetable fat provides easily digestible calories and increases your horse's overall energy, and high-quality protein provides essential amino acids necessary for the body to build muscle
- Daily Fresh Packs are sealed to keep out oxygen, moisture and sunlight, and are convenient for traveling, events and daily use in your feeding regimen
- Accurate, pre-measured packs are convenient and easy to use
- HELPS MAINTAIN OPTIMAL WEIGHT AND BODY CONDITION with a nutritionally balanced high-fat formula.
- CONTAINS 50% FAT to provide more calories than equal weights of grain, so less volume needs to be fed.
- PROVIDES EASILY DIGESTIBLE CALORIES WITH NO SUGAR ADDED to safely add calories without the risk of digestive upset.
- HELPS MAINTAIN HEALTHY SKIN AND A GLOSSY COAT with omega-3 fatty acids from flaxseed meal and heat stabilized rice bran.
- DELIVERS A CALMING ENERGY to help horses reach and maintain rigorous performance demands.
- 3-IN-1 FORMULA FOR TOTAL SUPPORT: Combines full-fat extruded soybeans, probiotics, and Horse Guard’s vitamin-mineral package into one powerful horse weight gain supplement for healthy weight, coat, and digestion.
- VISIBLE RESULTS FOR HARD KEEPERS: Ideal for senior, rescue, or underweight horses; promotes safe, healthy weight gain while improving energy and topline. The go-to weight builder for horses needing extra care.
- BETTER COAT, BETTER CONFIDENCE: Extruded soy improves coat shine and skin health. Helps your horse look and feel better from the inside out with a high-quality horse feed supplement that makes results visible.
- DIGESTIVE SUPPORT & IMMUNE DEFENSE: Prebiotics and probiotics boost gut health and nutrient absorption, while 1,500 IU of Vitamin E per dose supports a strong immune system – ideal for stressed, recovering, or sensitive horses.
- EASY DOSING, 80 SERVINGS PER BAG: Each 40 lb bag contains approx. 80 servings for a 1,000 lb horse. Scoop included. Trusted since 1978, Horse Guard delivers premium equine supplements with science-backed nutrition.
The Ultimate Guide to Choosing a Horse Weight Gainer
Helping your horse gain weight requires the right nutrition. A quality weight gainer provides extra calories without causing digestive upset. This guide helps you choose the best supplement for your equine partner.
Key Features to Look For
When shopping for a weight gainer, look for high calorie-to-volume ratios. You want a product that packs a lot of energy into a small scoop. Check if the supplement is “pelleted” or “powdered.” Pelleted formulas are often easier to mix into grain. Also, look for added probiotics. These help your horse digest the extra calories more efficiently.
Important Ingredients
The best weight gainers rely on healthy fats. Look for ingredients like vegetable oil, flaxseed, or rice bran. These provide “cool” energy that does not make a horse hyper. You should also check for a balanced amino acid profile. Amino acids help your horse build muscle, not just fat. Avoid products that list sugar or molasses as the first ingredient. Too much sugar can lead to metabolic issues.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
High-quality supplements use stabilized fats. Stabilized fats stay fresh longer and do not go rancid. If a product smells like old oil, do not feed it to your horse. Quality is also improved by the inclusion of Vitamin E and Selenium. These antioxidants support muscle recovery. Conversely, cheap fillers like corn husks or excessive starch reduce the quality of the product. Low-quality fillers offer little nutritional value and can cause gas or colic.
User Experience and Use Cases
Weight gainers are most useful for “hard keepers.” These are horses that struggle to maintain weight due to high metabolism or stress. Senior horses also benefit from these supplements as their ability to absorb nutrients declines. To see the best results, start with a small amount. Gradually increase the dose over two weeks. This allows your horse’s stomach to adjust to the new fat content. Always monitor your horse’s manure and energy levels throughout the process.
10 Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How long does it take to see results?
A: Most owners see visible changes in 30 to 60 days. Consistency is the most important factor.
Q: Can I feed weight gainer to a pony?
A: Yes, but you must adjust the serving size. Always follow the weight-based instructions on the label.
Q: Will this make my horse “hot” or hyper?
A: Fat-based supplements provide “cool” energy. They rarely cause behavioral issues compared to high-grain diets.
Q: Should I stop feeding it once my horse reaches a healthy weight?
A: You can slowly reduce the amount. Many owners keep their horse on a “maintenance dose” to prevent weight loss.
Q: Can I mix the supplement with water?
A: Most products work best when mixed with dry feed. Check the specific instructions on your chosen brand.
Q: Is a weight gainer a replacement for hay?
A: No. High-quality forage is the foundation of every horse’s diet. Supplements only provide extra calories.
Q: Does my horse need a vet check before starting?
A: It is a good idea. Sometimes weight loss is caused by dental issues or parasites that supplements cannot fix.
Q: What is the best source of fat for weight gain?
A: Flaxseed and rice bran are generally considered the safest and most effective sources for horses.
Q: Can pregnant mares take weight gainers?
A: Most are safe, but you should consult your veterinarian before adding supplements to a pregnant mare’s diet.
Q: Does the supplement need to be stored in a special way?
A: Keep it in a cool, dry place. Ensure the bag is sealed tightly to prevent moisture and pests.