California Riding Magazine • March, 2010

The Skinny on Feeding Fat
Fat can be healthy for horses.

by Delia Nash, M.S.

Fat is an effective energy source for horses. Pound for pound, fats provide 2.25 times more energy than carbohydrates. For competitive horses, fat is a safe, effective way to meet energy demands. Adding fat to the diet can increase the energy content of the diet without increasing meal size. This lowers the risk of digestive disorders associated with grain overload, such as colic or laminitis. Horses utilizing fat as an energy source often show increased stamina and tend to recover faster after work because they accumulate less lactic acid and have lower heart rates.

Horses suffering from certain muscle disorders benefit from high-fat diets. Research has shown that horses suffering from problems such as recurrent exertional rhabdomyolysis (RER), or tying up; polysaccharide storage myopathy (PSSM) or other glycogen storage diseases; and metabolic syndrome do not tolerate the soluble carbohydrates found in grains. Fats are an excellent source of energy for these horses.

Horses of various ages can benefit from supplemental fat. During peak breeding season, mares and stallions need additional calories to maintain optimal weight. Fat provides thin mares with extra calories, increasing the likelihood of conception. Fat also ensures lactating mares have sufficient energy to produce milk and it will help maintain weight on anxious or overactive stallions. Nutritionists agree that young growing horses maintained on high-fat, low-starch diets have a reduced incidence of growth problems. Seniors will also benefit from the extra calories fat provides. Fat is easily digested and absorbed, reducing the risk of colic and laminitis.

Horses can utilize many types of fat. Rice bran is a popular source of fat. When choosing a rice bran product, be sure it is heat-stabilized to prevent rancidity. Raw, unstabilized rice bran can quickly turn rancid and is not recommended for horses. A balanced calcium to phosphorous ratio is a “must have” in any rice bran product. In its natural state, rice bran is richer in phosphorus than in calcium. Excessive phosphorus in the diet inhibits calcium absorption, which may compromise skeletal development. Finally, to ensure consistency from bag to bag, look for a manufacturer that purchases its rice from proprietary sources.

Adding calories in the form of fat can be beneficial to a horse’s diet, whether he is a senior horse who needs more weight, a broodmare working hard to feed her foal, a young growing horse, or a high-level competition horse.

Article provided by Kentucky Performance Horses, LLC.