Weight gain & loss on a track system

How do we achieve weight loss or weight gain in horses?

One common misunderstanding surrounding paddock paradise track systems is that they cannot serve or fulfil two opposing horse’s needs. For example, many people accept that they are great for obese or overweight equines and have proven very successful in this particular area, but glance over how effective they can be for weight and muscle gain too.

In reality, despite being opposites on the spectrum, achieving both weight loss and gain is done in the same way, with only a very few minor tweaks.

On the basis that we have a well-working track system that functions as intended, here is what a new horse needing to lose or gain weight receives:

• Adlib netted meadow hay/haylage

• A plain, forage-based bucket feed with Calm Healthy Horses vitamin and mineral supplement and salt

• Daily movement created by the track system itself

• Herd living

  
  

We do not:

• Restrict hay/haylage (in terms of accessibility)

• Leave them without a vitamin and mineral supplement

• Leave them without a sufficient salt source (not just salt blocks)

• Restrict their movement in any way

• It is crucial that both underweight and overweight horses receive adequate supplementation. Despite popular belief, overweight horses are often malnourished and have depleted their vitamin and mineral reserves.

Additional things for weight gain (when/if needed):

• Incorporate linseed oil or linseed into their bucket feed, as a high calorie but safe source

• Supplement with MVA, a vitamin and mineral supplement with extra protein

• Provide additional quantities of feed if needed, for example over winter

• Rug to help maintain weight gain or reduce weight loss, if needed

Both weight loss and weight gain takes time and patience, particularly when both ends of the spectrum need to gain and maintain muscle too. We have had great success caring for horses in this way.