20/05/2025
Food Converted to Fat in Horses – What Are We Really Aiming For?
There have been a few posts recently on the Canterbury horse community pages about what to feed to help horses "put on condition." But it’s worth asking — are we really aiming for condition, or are we just adding fat?
There’s a big difference in outcomes.
Many suggestions lean toward high-fat feeds. But do we actually want more fat? Fat is not the same as condition.
As someone involved with the Equine Research and Learning Facility, I’ve seen firsthand what excess fat looks like on the inside — surrounding organs, layering over superficial muscles, and accumulating in unhealthy deposits. It’s not what we should be striving for in our horses.
True condition means balanced muscle development, healthy weight, and proper nutrition — not just stored fat.
Below is some information that might help if you're interested in learning more. 😊
Im going to start with the summary : Horses are hindgut fermenters, so food takes longer to be digested — often 24–72 hours from ingestion to excretion. Humans convert food to fat with in several hours.
Fat deposition doesn't happen as quickly as in humans because of slower digestion and metabolism.
2. Fat Storage in Horses
Horses primarily eat fibrous foods (like hay and grass), which are low in fat and sugar. So, fat gain happens much more slowly and typically only with:
Excess calories (especially from high-grain or high-sugar feeds)
Lack of exercise
If a horse is consistently overfed with calorie-dense food, fat accumulation can happen over weeks to months.
3. Nutrient Conversion
Horses are efficient at converting starches and sugars (e.g., from grains) into body fat if not burned through work.
Summary:
Food-to-fat conversion in horses is slower, usually taking days to weeks depending on diet and activity.
Unlike humans, horses rarely store fat from a single meal — fat gain comes from chronic overfeeding.
🚫 Here’s how vitamins and minerals affect weight in horses:
1. Metabolism and Energy Use
B vitamins (especially B1/thiamine, B2, niacin, and B12) support energy metabolism in horses, just like in humans.
Horses usually synthesize B vitamins in the hindgut, but stress, illness, or poor gut health can reduce this.
2. Thyroid and Hormonal Function
Iodine, selenium, and zinc are essential for thyroid hormone production in horses.
Deficiencies can lead to a sluggish metabolism and weight gain.
3. Appetite and Cravings
Imbalances in electrolytes or trace minerals may cause horses to overeat or display strange behaviors like chewing wood or dirt, often mistaken for hunger.
4. Insulin Sensitivity and Fat Storage
Magnesium, chromium, and vitamin E are important for insulin regulation.
Deficiencies or imbalances can contribute to Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS) or insulin resistance, leading to regional fat deposits or obesity.
5. Muscle Function and Activity
Low levels of vitamin E, selenium, or calcium can cause muscle weakness or poor recovery, reducing a horse’s physical activity—indirectly contributing to weight gain.
Main Equine Researched Nutrition – Vitamins and Trace Minerals is carefully formulated as a balanced recipe to support the overall health and vitality of today’s equines. Designed in mind for metabolic function, immune strength, and optimal performance.
www.mainequineresearchednutrition.co.nz
Health to the Core
