Oil for weight gain

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lozzles

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My veteran is already on soothe and gain as much as he'll eat which is about a scoop and two thirds before it's soaked. He's also getting a third of a scoop of micronised linseed. He gets this twice a day and adlib hay in the field.

His teeth are fine to cope with hay but I'd still like more weight on him before winter. This summer isn't helping!

Is there a good oil for weight gain I could add so I'm not adding any more bulk to his feed but giving more calories?
 
Have you tried coolstance copra? It’s my go to if I’m already feeding a lot of conditioning feed & linseed and need to add some calories without more bulk.
 
frankieduck said:
Have you tried coolstance copra? It’s my go to if I’m already feeding a lot of conditioning feed & linseed and need to add some calories without more bulk.
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I haven't but that sounds a good shout. He's been a good doer all his life. We ran full bloods and Cushing's test, did teeth etc this spring just seems to be an older age metabolism for him
 
lozzles said:
I haven't but that sounds a good shout. He's been a good doer all his life. We ran full bloods and Cushing's test, did teeth etc this spring just seems to be an older age metabolism for him
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I'm in exactly the same boat and it's hard to get your head around fattening them up when you've spent 20 years keeping them on a diet isn't it 😁
 
It's bizarre! Hes a kwpn who previously had the metabolism of a native pony. He'd get a bit fat in full competition work and minimal feed in his youth. Tbf he's loving the change in feed size😍
 
That's good to hear I've actually just ordered some to try with him. Coat change normally takes it out of him so want to get ahead of any weight loss
 
frankieduck said:
Have you tried coolstance copra? It’s my go to if I’m already feeding a lot of conditioning feed & linseed and need to add some calories without more bulk.
Click to expand...
Agree with this. It’s very high calorie (15 Mj/kg dry weight compared to 13.25 for S&G), very palatable (some horses take a minute to adapt but usually it’s then a winner) and very low sugar/starch.

My older gal lives on air in the summer (muzzle on the entire time!) but in winter she does drop weight and needs a lot of feeding. Copra works really well for her and she just gets that and linseed added to her bare bones balancer and handful of chaff from the summer to bulk her up for the winter.
 
Adding Linseed oil to his feed really helped my chap to gain weight after he’d lost a lot due to a combination of factors over the winter when I first got him. The vet had originally suggested adding regular vegetable oil, but not only did it need to be disguised with banana mash, but I also think that linseed oil is better digested by horses than bog standard vegetable oil.
 
Linseed is meant to be the best oil from an anti-inflammatory POV, so great for oldies. Soya is one of the worst, and sunflower/rapeseed aren't brilliant either. Copra is also lower omega 3's. I would just increase the linseed ( and the Vitamin E).

AI Overview

For horses, linseed (also known as flaxseed) is generally considered superior to copra for omega-3 supplementation due to its higher and more balanced omega-3 to omega-6 ratio. While both can provide beneficial fats, linseed's profile more closely matches that of fresh grass, making it a better choice for supporting a healthy coat, skin, and overall well-being.

Here's a more detailed comparison:
Linseed (Flaxseed):
  • High in Omega-3s: Linseed is an excellent source of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), an omega-3 fatty acid that is essential for horses.

  • Ideal Omega-3 to Omega-6 Ratio: Linseed oil provides a more balanced ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 fatty acids, similar to what horses would obtain from fresh pasture.

  • Supports Skin and Coat Health: Omega-3s play a crucial role in maintaining healthy skin and a shiny coat.

  • May Improve Hoof Health: Adequate omega-3 intake is also linked to improved hoof quality.

  • Energy Source: Linseed can be a good source of energy for horses, especially those in hard work or those needing to gain weight.

  • Palatable and Digestible: Linseed is generally palatable and easily digestible for horses.

  • Potential Issues: Some horses may be sensitive to large amounts of linseed, and it can be a higher calorie option.
Copra (Coconut Meal):
  • Good Source of Energy: Copra is a good source of energy, similar to cereal grains and beet pulp, and can be beneficial for weight gain and conditioning.

  • Lower in Omega-3s: While copra does contain some omega-3s, it is not as rich in them as linseed and may not provide the same level of benefit for skin and coat health.

  • May Cause Insulin Spikes: Some research suggests that copra, even though low in NSCs (non-structural carbohydrates), may cause insulin spikes in some horses.

  • Not as Effective for Coat Health: Copra is not as effective as linseed in promoting a shiny coat.

  • Lower Quality Protein: Copra is generally considered a lower quality protein source compared to other options.

  • May Be Palatable: Some horses may find copra palatable, while others may not.
 
He's already on a third of a Stubbs scoop twice a day. Is it ok to give more linseed? He's on this alongside about two scoops of Allen and page soothe and gain before I soak that.
 
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