What to Feed Older Horses to Gain Weight – Best Diet Tips

Older horses often lose weight due to worn teeth, slower digestion, or age-related decline in nutrient absorption.

The right diet – rich in soft fiber, healthy fats, and easily digestible, senior-specific feeds can safely help restore and maintain a healthy weight. 

This guide explains how to recognise when your horse needs support, what to feed, and which products are best suited for older horses needing to gain condition.

Signs Your Older Horse Needs to Gain Weight

You should feed for weight gain only when truly needed. Look out for:

• Ribs and hip bones are visibly protruding
• Loss of topline or muscle tone
• Lethargy or poor coat condition
• Difficulty chewing hay or maintaining condition despite normal feeding
• Weight loss during colder months or after illness

Tip: Use a weight tape and body condition scoring chart every 2–3 weeks to track changes.

Feeding Goals for Senior Horses

When creating a weight-gain plan for an older horse, your primary goals are:

• Provide highly digestible fibre that supports gut health
• Use high-calorie, low-starch ingredients to avoid metabolic stress
• Offer feeds that are easy to chew and digest
• Support the digestive system with prebiotics and oils
  

Ideal Feeds for Older Horses to Gain Weight

The best feeds for older horses to gain weight are high in fiber, low in starch, and easy to chew—like soaked mashes, alfalfa, oils, senior-safe grains and more.

The table below highlights the most effective options.

Feed Type	Benefits
Soaked Fibre Mashes	Gentle on teeth, supports hydration and digestion
Oil-Rich Feeds	High in calories without increasing starch
Alfalfa-Based Products	Quality protein to rebuild topline
Linseed (Flaxseed)	Rich in omega-3s for cool energy and a glossy coat
Pre- & Probiotics	Enhances gut flora and nutrient absorption
Steam-Flaked Grains	Safer, more digestible energy for seniors
Soaked Hay Pellets or Haylage	Soft, chewable fiber for horses with dental issues.
Molasses-Free Senior Muesli	Oat-free energy with added support for joints and digestion.

Here are the most effective feed types for helping senior horses regain condition:

1. Soaked Fiber Mashes

Easily the most important foundation for older horses. Mashes made from beet pulp, alfalfa, or fibre-based pellets soften with water and are easy to chew—even for horses with missing or worn teeth. They also help maintain hydration and prevent colic.

2. Oil-Rich Feeds

Fats like linseed or rapeseed oil are calorie-dense and ideal for adding condition without overloading the gut with starch. Older horses often tolerate oil better than grain, and it supports coat quality and slow-release energy.

3. Alfalfa-Based Products (Lucerne)

High in digestible fiber and protein, alfalfa supports topline development and helps rebuild muscle. It’s also a good calcium source, which may benefit aging bones. Choose soft pellets or chaff that can be soaked for ease of eating.

4. Linseed (Flaxseed)

A powerhouse for senior horses, linseed offers cool energy, omega-3s, and anti-inflammatory benefits. It can be added as whole linseed (boiled), ground meal, or oil, depending on your horse’s needs.

5. Steam-Flaked Grains

Flaking improves digestibility, making grains like maize or barley safer for older horses. These can provide energy without the sharp spike in blood sugar that raw cereals can cause.

6. Pre- and Probiotics

Older horses often have less efficient digestion, so supporting the gut microbiome is essential. Pre- and probiotics improve feed utilisation, stabilise the hindgut, and help prevent digestive upset—especially during diet changes or stress.

7. Soaked Hay Pellets or Haylage

When dental issues prevent efficient grazing or hay chewing, soaked hay pellets or chopped haylage provide a soft, safe alternative to traditional forage. These maintain fiber intake and mimic the natural “trickle-feeding” process.

8. Molasses-Free Senior Muesli

Specially formulated senior feeds like oat-free, molasses-free muesli with added oil and fiber are a safe way to provide extra energy without increasing starch or sugar intake. These often contain joint, immune, and digestive support built in.

Recommended Products for Senior Horse Weight Gain

Product	Benefits	Why Suitable for Older Horses
Eurital Gequetschter Hafer	High energy, mild texture	Easier to chew, good protein/calorie boost
Eurital Maisflocken	Very high energy, low starch	Gentle energy boost in soaked mash
Versele Laga Luzerne Pellets	Protein- and calcium-rich fibre	Soft when soaked, supports the topline muscle
GOLDPFERD Powermüsli P13	Oat-free, high in healthy fats	Provides clean calories with controlled starch
Cavalor Harmony – Tradition Mix	Prebiotics, easy-to-digest grains, lucerne	Gut-supportive and suitable for sensitive seniors

Feeding Tips for Weight Gain in Older Horses

Feeding older horses to gain weight takes a gentle, consistent approach. The right tips can help improve conditions safely and support overall health.

• Feed little and often – 3–4 smaller meals per day prevent gut overload
• Soak hard feeds – Easier to chew and improves hydration
• Increase oil gradually –  Up to 300 ml/day for a 500kg horse
• Avoid high-starch feeds – Reduces risk of laminitis and colic
• Monitor dental health – Regular check-ups ensure chewing efficiency
• Ensure 24/7 forage access – Choose soft haylage or soaked hay cubes
  

Sample Weight Gain Feeding Plan for Senior Horse

Feed	Amount/Day	Notes
Soaked GOLDPFERD Powermüsli P13	2.5–3.5 kg	Split into 2–3 meals
Versele Laga Luzerne Pellets (soaked)	1–1.5 kg	Can be added to muesli; high-quality protein for topline
Eurital Maisflocken (soaked)	0.5–1.0 kg	High-energy flaked maize; soak before feeding
Eurital Gequetschter Hafer (optional)	Up to 0.5 kg	Only if oats are tolerated; avoid if metabolically sensitive
Forage (hay/haylage)	Ad lib (min 7.5 kg DM)	Use soft hay or soaked hay cubes for easier chewing
Water	25–35 litres/day	Add warm water to mashes during winter for palatability

Conclusion – The Right Nutrition Brings Results

Helping your older horse gain weight requires patience, consistency, and the right nutrition strategy. Prioritize:

• Digestible fibre first
• Healthy fats like linseed
• Soft, chewable mashes
• Low-starch, senior-safe ingredients

With proper management and Tierfutterpro’s tailored feed range, your senior horse can regain condition, energy, and comfort—no matter their age.