If you look at the label on your feed container you will see that the percentage of crude fat included is listed along with the other constituents. This percentage refers to the ratio of fats and oils within the product, which includes saturated (animal) fats and unsaturated (vegetable) oils.
When feeding horses, it is important to understand that fat can be a great source of energy. When working out rations for high fat feeds, you will find that you need to feed less of these feeds to maintain weight and energy. In this sense, high fat foods are great for fussy eaters, those who have gut issues and require smaller feeds, horses that require ‘non heating’ energy. and competition horses (endurance, race, polo or event horses) that need easy to burn fuel.
Higher fat levels, especially those that contain a balance of omega three and omega six fatty acids, are a great way to support a horse’s condition, joint suppleness and can also contribute to a healthy, shiny coat.
How much fat is in feeds?
An ordinary grass pony nut that is not fat-supplemented contains about 2.5% crude fat, which is the amount of fat naturally found in the grains. If you're looking for a fat-supplemented feed, look for a product with a value of 5% or higher (to a maximum of about 10%). There are many options out there for owners and some of the desirable formulas contain a high percentage of fibre alongside the fat content. Some owners also supplement with linseed (oil or micronised), vegetable oil or rice bran, which is relatively new to the market and has roughly 20% crude fat. There are also some coconut based feeds now available. High fat feeds are becoming more and more popular.
How much to feed?
Feeding fat supplements or a high fat feed needs consideration. Take into account your horse’s body conditioning score, age and workload. Added fat can work wonders on underweight or veteran horses, but can also cause some horses to become overweight. As with any feed change, be careful to slowly introduce the feed so that you avoid upsetting the delicate gut balance. It is also worthwhile to monitor, record and observe your horse’s weight, possibly using photos and a weight tape. This way you can keep tabs on weight loss or gain, both of which take time to rectify.