Best Horse Feeds for Weight Gain in the UK

A horse that is too lean is more vulnerable to illness, performs poorly and recovers slowly from work. But feeding a thin horse correctly requires some thought — simply adding more hard feed without assessing the cause is rarely the right approach and can create digestive problems.

Rule Out Underlying Issues First

Before changing a feed programme, address the most common causes of poor condition. Teeth should be rasped by an equine dental technician or vet at least annually — sharp points and uneven wear significantly reduce a horse ability to digest forage. Worm burden should be assessed with a faecal egg count. Ulcers are a frequently overlooked cause of poor condition, particularly in horses in regular work.

Forage First

Forage — hay or haylage — should always be the foundation of a horse diet regardless of work level. A horse in poor condition should have ad lib access to good quality hay around the clock. High-quality hay, often called racehorse hay or competition hay, has higher digestible energy than meadow hay and is the most cost-effective way to put condition on a horse.

Best Feeds for Weight Gain

Spillers Conditioning Fibre — widely available, around £16–18 per 20kg bag. High-oil, high-fibre conditioning feed suitable for most horses including those prone to excitability. The high oil content adds calories without increasing starch, making it safe for horses with metabolic sensitivities.

TopSpec Conditioning Cubes — around £18–20 per 20kg. Purpose-built for horses needing to gain condition without added fizz. Balances vitamins and minerals well and can replace a separate balancer if feeding at recommended rates.

Dengie Alfa-A Original — around £17 per 20kg. High-energy, high-fibre chaff. Excellent base for adding calories without increasing meal size dramatically. The alfalfa base supports topline development alongside weight gain.

Feeding Oil

Vegetable or sunflower oil added to feed is one of the most calorie-dense ways to add condition. Start with 50ml per day and build over two to three weeks to a maximum of around 200ml per day. Introduce slowly to avoid loose droppings.

Address teeth, worms and any suspected ulcer issues before making significant feed changes. Once those are ruled out, increasing good quality forage and adding a conditioning feed or oil will produce visible improvement in condition within four to six weeks for most horses.