Feeding straight cereals for weight gain

[Roasted Chestnuts]

As in title who feeds straight cereals to their horse for weight gain??

Have done so in the past as I don't want to change the feed completely but I want to add more to it.

Who has noticed any adverse effects to this? Have used this method in th east to bulk up a horse, looking to add barley or oats

 

[Chloe_GHE]

I gave my tbs boiled barley in the winter during all the snow, they kept weight on really well as a result. I can't really tell about adverse affects because i couldn't ride coz of the snow, they did have a few 'mad moments' in the field though!!!

 

[Zuzan]

You could try using micronized linseed.. (doesn't need cooking / boiling and can be used straight from the sack) very calorific but it's oil.. so slow burn.. plus you get the added advantage of the omega oils too.

 

[Glayva]

fibre and oil are your best bet for weight gain.
They make better use of fibre and oil than cereals, they are not really designed to process cereals (hence why its the cause of gastric ulcers). But some horses suit them better than others.
If it was a horse that was a stress head i wouldnt feed it for weight gain, purely as it can blow their heads and then they can drop weight from being extra stressy.

there is a new feed out called Build & Grow, specifically for weight gain, think its dodson and horrell but i could be wrong.