Maintaining weight in autumn for older horses
The best way to maintain condition in senior horses as they lose grazing is to replace the calories found in grass with high-quality, digestible fibre. Continuing to support gut function, ensuring correct micronutrient balance. Remember to monitor condition closely and adjust feed when needed before the winter sets in.
Prioritise forage quality and quantity
- As grass quality declines, hay or haylage becomes your horse's main calorie source.
- For poorer doers offer at least 2% of bodyweight per day in forage dry weight (a 500 kg horse could have approximately12.5kg total forage/day, including grazing).
- If your horse struggles to chew long hay, switch to hay replacers or chopped fibre options.
Use a specific Senior Feed or Balancer to support digestive efficiency
- Choose a senior-specific feed or balancer that’s high in fibre, low in starch, and includes probiotics and nucleotides for continued gut health.
- Feeding a balancer which contains a digestive supplement helps maximise nutrient uptake from the WHOLE DIET, not just the balancer.
- Make any dietary changes gradually over 10 to14 days to retain healthy gut balance.
Add highly digestible fibre and calories IF/WHEN needed
- Introduce beet pulp, alfalfa, or grass pellets for extra calories without starch overload.
- Add oil or high-fat feeds (like linseed) for safe, slow-release energy.
- These sources are easier to digest for older horses whose fibre fermentation efficiency may be reduced.
Keep track of dental health
- Regular dental checks are vital as poor dentition can be a hidden cause of weight loss.
Monitor and adjust (if/when needed) regularly
- Weigh-tape or body condition score your horse every 2 to 3 weeks through autumn.
- Small feed increases/changes made early in autumn are more effective than trying to regain weight mid-winter.
Senior Feed Balancers from Blue Chip Feed - There are two options below!
Senior Super Concentrated - 3kg pouch, 1 month supply for the average 500kg horse.
Senior is for good doers who maintain their weight easily, BUT you want to ensure they have full nutritional provision, alongside additional support for stiffness/arthritis, potential hormonal imbalance and digestive health.
Senior Plus - 15kg bag, 1 month supply for the average 500kg horse.
Senior Plus is for those who need a little more support, whether that's because of their continued workload and/or they might have a tendency to struggle to hold their weight a little more, especially over the winter.
