Resources for Feeding the Easy Keeper

While some horses struggle to keep weight on no matter what feed and forage you put in front of them, others seem to gain weight just by looking at green grass. Feeding and managing these “easy keepers” can be a challenge. Overweight equines are at a greater risk of developing conditions such as equine metabolic syndrome, laminitis, and insulin resistance.

We’ve combed through our archives and compiled several resources available for free on TheHorse.com about managing easy keepers. You can find more information on our “nutrition” topic page or by searching for “easy keepers” on TheHorse.com.

ARTICLE: 5 Tips for Feeding Easy Keepers To the person just dipping their toes into the sometimes complex and often expensive world of horse-keeping, having an “easy keeper” might sound like a dream. But the owner managing these equids that maintain or gain weight on minimal food rations knows there’s nothing easy about it. Read More

ARTICLE: Feeding Ponies Feed your roly-poly pony the way Nature intended to prevent obesity-related diseases such as laminitis and equine metabolic syndrome. Read More

ARTICLE: Complete Feeds vs. Ration Balancers: What’s the Difference? One’s designed to be the horse’s whole diet, while the other should be added to a ration. Which is best for your horse? Read More

ARTICLE: Addressing the ‘Air Fern’ in Your Barn Roly-poly, cresty-necked horses and ponies might be well-loved, even adored by their owners, but in reality, they are in harm’s way. Obese equids are at a high risk for developing serious metabolic problems and the hoof disease laminitis. Read More

ARTICLE: EMS and ‘Low-Carb’ Diets: What’s Right For Your Horse? Not all carbohydrates are created equal, and “low-carb” definitely doesn’t mean “no-carb.” A nutritionist explains. Read More

PODCAST: What is a Ration Balancer? Are you looking for an economical option to make sure your easy-keeping horse is getting the nutrition you need? Dr. Clair Thunes suggests trying a ration balancer. Listen Now

ARTICLE: Feeding an Easy Keeper on Stall Rest Confinement and rehabilitating easy keepers can be a real challenge. An equine nutritionist offers advice on preventing weight gain and boredom while a hefty horse is on stall rest. Read More

ARTICLE: Horse Grazing Muzzle FAQs Why do some horses wear muzzles, but others don’t? Does your horse need to wear a muzzle year-round? From proper fit to feeding, here’s what you need to know about these weight-loss contraptions. Read More

PRODUCT REVIEW: Triple Crown 30% Ration Balancer Using a ration balancer to feed a mixed herd saves time for this horse owner. Read More

SPONSORED CONTENT: Is Your Overweight Horse Eating Enough? Owners of easy-keeping horses face the challenge of making sure their horses get the nutrition they need but not too many calories. Ration balancers offer a solution. Read More