Ask The Equine Nutritionist

A friend of mine suggested to feed a product called "Calf Manna" to my horse who is hard to keep weight on in the winter. I've never used this product and am unfamiliar with it. I looked up the website for Manna Pro, who makes it, and see where they give a list of the ingredients and nutritional values. It doesn't have much fat at all, but it is high in protein and has some minerals. So, I don't understand how it could add weight to my horse?

Do you think this is something that could help a hard-to-keep horse stay in better weight? Would you recommend feeding it?

Right now, my horse in on a commercial grain mix for hard keepers, and I am considering switching him to beet pulp, whole flax, and then, if needed, rice bran. But my friend says to use the Calf Manna, instead of the flax or the rice bran. What do you suggest?

Calf manna is a high protein supplement designed for the raising and fattening of calves.

It is a useful high protein supplement for horses too if you cannot get anything else.
I would not use it for weight gain, I would use rice bran and whole flax instead they are much better for the horse.

The main thing to watch for in getting weight gain on horses is the quality of the hay fed. Feed them plenty of high grade grass hay, preferably an early cut. Make sure they have at least 2% of their body weight per day in hay. Hay is the safest way to keep weight on a horse.

After good hay use high fiber feed with added fat. Avoid sweet feeds and feeds designed for other classes of livestock.

Dr. Melyni Worth Ph.D. - 2004 (c)

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