Helping a Skinny Horse Gain Weight

When you’ve got a horse that’s looking a little too lean—ribs showing, hip bones jutting out—you might wonder how to pack some weight on them. Sometimes, it’s as straightforward as upping the calories they’re eating each day. But for other horses, it’s not that simple. Maybe they’ve got a medical condition, they’re stressed out, or their living situation isn’t helping. Whatever the reason, getting a thin horse back to a healthy weight takes some know-how. Let’s break it down step-by-step: why some horses stay skinny, what their body needs to gain weight, and how to use diet—specifically fiber, starch, and fat—to get them looking and feeling better.