Why Consider Adding A Fat Supplement?
Fat supplements can be beneficial for more than just gaining weight! While weight gain/rib coverage is the most logical reason for increasing fat in the diet, there are more applications to consider. Adding additional calories and energy to a diet, without the sugars and starches that come along with increasing the feeding rate of grain concentrates, can be a helpful management tool.
Aid in Maintaining Hard Keepers &/or Increasing Caloric Intake When Feeding More is Not an Option
Hard Keepers are defined as horses that struggle to maintain their body condition. This can be the result of age, poor dentition, high performance, stress, ulcers, genetics, gestation/lactation, medical conditions and/or medications that thwart appetite. In most of these cases, encouraging a high fat, high fiber diet with low sugar and starch is the key. Adding a fat supplement to their diet can help to increase caloric consumption and energy, which can help hard keepers maintain their body condition. Additionally, for those horses that refuse to physically eat more of anything or for those with poor dentition that makes consumption of forage and feed difficult, adding a fat supplement can be a way to increase their calorie intake without a drastic increase in feed material. Oils and highly concentrated options are especially helpful in this type of situation because they do not add bulk to their current meals.
Improve Body Condition
Some horses may not need a lot of additional rib coverage but could use a little help in improving overall body condition. While increasing the feeding rate of their grain concentrate is an option, adding a fat supplement may offer a more economical alternative for the same result.
Boost Energy for Performance and/or to Aid in Withstanding Extreme Climates
Whether dealing with a high, medium or low-level workload, adding a fat supplement can offer a boost of energy without the added sugars and starches. This can be a great option for horses that struggle with metabolic conditions or are prone to tying-up and need additional energy to perform at their best. Furthermore, cold temperatures and inclement weather conditions can increase a horse’s calorie demand. A fat supplement coupled with more forage can provide an additional boost of energy to help them stay warm and withstand the wintery climate without losing weight.
Provide A ‘Non-Heating’ or ‘Cool’ Source of Energy
Highly excitable horses do not need additional sugars and starches to further exacerbate their high-strung tendencies. For this type of anxious or flighty behavior an ideal diet is one that is high in fat and fiber and low in sugar and starch. If a feed is necessary to support performance and body condition, choose an option that has a low NSC. If the horse still needs more support, a fat supplement can offer additional calories and energy, without elevating the sugar and starch in their diet.
Encourage Bloom and Shine for a Finishing Touch
For that eye catching pop of bloom and shine on horses that are already in ideal body condition, add a fat supplement at half the recommended dosage. During the final 30-90 days of sales prepping, prior to show season or just to add that final glossy touch on your backyard horses; adding a fat supplement to the diet at half strength can do the trick without adding considerable weight gain!
Fat Supplement Form Options
The various forms of fat additives provide options to fit your management style and the horse’s individual preferences.
Oil
As a wet option, oil tends to be messy. The jugs usually require a good shake up before dispensing and can leave feed tubs in need of frequent cleaning to avoid rancid build-up. On the plus side, the oil can add moisture to feed and be a great option for horses that struggle to consume additional bulk in their meals.
Extruded Nuggets & Pellets
These two forms offer dry alternatives, which can be helpful if you and/or the horses do not like dealing with oil. They are not messy like oil can be, but they do add additional bulk to meals. Most fat supplements recommend feeding .5-3lbs/day. Furthermore, the extruded nugget and pellet both soak well into a mash for those with poor dentition.
Highly Concentrated Powders, Pellets and Extruded Nuggets
For those that prefer a dry fat supplement without the bulk, there are several highly concentrated powders, pellets and extruded nuggets on the market. The downside is these options tend to be pricier.
Take Home Message
There are many applications for a fat supplement in horse’s diet; from increasing weight, improving body condition, supplying additionally calories when feeding more is not an option, providing ‘non-heating’ energy to already excitable horses or simply encouraging shiny coats. Give these tips some consideration and determine whether adding a fat supplement could be beneficial for your horse. Our Mill equine specialists are always here to answer any questions you may have about implementing a fat additive to your feeding program.
