Does Low-Starch Horse Feed Equal Low-Calorie?
- Posted by Clair Thunes, PhD
Q.I don’t ride as much during the winter as I do in the summer. To compensate for my horse’s reduced workload and prevent weight gain, I recently switched him from 4 pounds of performance feed a day to 4 pounds of a low-starch feed. Despite the switch, he’s gaining weight. Why is he gaining weight on a low-starch feed?
—Via e-mail
A.Horses that aren’t working relatively hard are unlikely to need concentrate feeds high in starch, so reducing starch is a good idea as work levels decrease. However, weight maintenance is a function of calories consumed versus calories burned. If calories consumed exceed those used the horse will gain weight. Conversely, if a horse’s caloric intake is less than the calories he uses, he will lose weight. There are many potential sources of calories in a ration other than starch, so decreasing starch intake might not decrease a horse’s overall calorie consumption
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Written by:
Clair Thunes, PhD
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One Response
Dr. thunes,
My 9 year old Appaloosa is an easy keeper and was just diagnosed with IR-Insulin Resistance. We are looking for a feed that is low in sugar, low carbs and low in calories. What would you recommend. She is pastured and has 24/7 availability to good grass. We are reducing her amount of intake of hay as well as soaking her hay.
V/R,
Sarah