Economical Ways to Maintain or Gain Weight This Winter

17.06.25

As we head into the colder months, many horse owners are facing the perfect storm:

• Rising hay prices
•  Limited grass growth
•  Low hay availability
•  Cold temperatures
• And unfortunately, horses dropping condition

At MITAVITE®, we’ve seen an increase in calls from owners seeking affordable strategies to maintain or improve their horses’ body condition this winter (especially for those poor doers). That’s why we’ve compiled this guide to help you boost condition economically, without compromising on health or nutrition.

 1. Provide a “Full Feed”

A full feed is a complete, balanced feed designed for poor-doing horses that need larger feeding rates to maintain weight. These feeds allow you to increase calorie intake and meet nutritional requirements without adding extra vitamin/mineral supplements.

For example:

A 500kg horse requires a minimum of 2kg per day to meet their nutritional requirements but may need up to 4.5kg daily to maintain or improve condition in winter.

MITAVITE® economical full feed options include:

•  STUDGRO®
•  COOL VITALITY®
• XTRA COOL®
• ECONOMIX®

These feeds are economical, high-quality and highly digestible options that can be tailored to your horse’s needs. Please note, none of these options are suitable for EMS, Cushing’s, or laminitis prone horses/ponies.

2. Add a Fibre Supplement

Fibre is your horse's friend! Not only is it essential for digestion - it also provides cool calories that help maintain condition.

Great fibre-based supplement options are:

• Beet pulp-based
• Lupin hull-based
• Coconut meal
• Lucerne cubes or pellets

These are cost-effective, safe to feed in larger amounts and support gut health.

3. Add a Fat Source

Fat is a powerful, slow-release energy source. While not a traditional part of a wild horse’s diet, horses are excellent at digesting fat and using it efficiently, even those with metabolic issues like Cushing’s.

Affordable and palatable oil options are:

• Canola oil
• Sunflower oil
• Rice bran oil

4. Add Grain or Legumes

A little can go a long way when it comes to adding starch or protein to your horse’s existing diet. These simple, cost-effective inclusions can help increase calorie intake, especially during winter or times of increased need.

Ø Adding starch for extra energy

·      Rolled or steamed oats can be added to boost starch content in the diet. These ingredients are calorie-dense and can be helpful for horses needing more energy for body condition.

·      It’s important to note –  excessive starch intake can increase the risk of digestive upset, ‘fizzy’ or ‘hot’ behaviour and laminitis (especially for pony breeds).

·      Recommended feeding rate for a 500kg horse: 250g – 1kg per day, depending on the horse's condition and tolerance.

Ø Adding protein for condition and muscle support

·      MITAVITE® EXTRU®LUPINS are a highly digestible protein source that can be safely added to almost any horse’s diet, including metabolically sensitive horses. Lupins support muscle development, weight gain and overall condition.

·      Recommended feeding rate for a 500kg horse: 250g – 2kg per day, depending on body condition and workload.

Example Winter Weight-Gain Diet (500kg horse)

This sample diet is ideal for a horse that needs extra calories during the colder months (that does not have metabolic issues) utilising all the tips in this article.

Example diet (per day) - divide into 2 feeds:

• 24/7 access to roughage (pasture/hay)
• 2kg STUDGRO®
• 250g – 500g (dry weight) beet pulp-based product
• 500g – 800g rolled/steamed oats (optional)
• 100mls – 250mls oil
• 30g – 60g salt

Why add salt in winter?

Salt not only supplies essential sodium and chloride, but also encourages water intake, reducing the risk of impaction colic (a common issue during cold weather when horses drink less). Salt can be purchased from the stock feed store or supermarket.

For a free nutrition consult, get in touch with our expert team. We’re here to help your horse thrive this winter!