How much corn oil should I add to feed?

Question

I have a new mare, a 16hh thoroughbred. She is a rescue and really needs to build condition and put on a bit of weight, so I was thinking of adding some corn oil to her daily feed. My Q is, how much should I add? I will introduce it slowly, but how much do I build up to?

Answer 1

We started out with a quarter cup each meal, mixed into 2 scoops of senior feed. Water it down with warm water, too, to turn it into a warm mash so she eats it all and can't really fling it out of her bucket.

Answer 2

not too much at first as some horses might not like it.  build it up until she is having about a cupful a day.  soya bean meal is a good source of protein for horses that need weight to go on.  or milk pellets are formulated for weight gain.  feed little and often.  with hay ad lib and of course fresh water.  i usually feed the following, but it is only meant as a helpful idea.   alfa a.   cooked flaked barley.   sugar beet.  soya bean meal.  milk pellets.   perhaps a cereal mix to give more flavour.  and a mineral and salt l**k left for them to enjoy at their leisure.

thoroughbreds are worth it.  my black mare in similar condition recovered fully by my feeds above.

good luck.

Answer 3

The best part about corn oil is that you cannot over dose it!

The horses' body will expell what it can't process.

Keep an eye on her p**p ( the glamor part of owning a horse!) If it appears to have a coating like vaseline on it - cut back by about 1/2 a cup.

I agree with the others that said 2 cups per day is maximum.

I'd start with 1 cup per day, or 1/2 cup in the morn and 1/2 cup at night. 7 to 10 days later increase it to 3/4 cup 2x a day. 7 to 10 days later go to a full cup 2x a day.

Remember corn oil is not a nutrient - it is merely used to add weight in the safest way possible. I agree with the Senior feed.

Vegetable oil is less yummy to horses than corn oil.

I'd add all the hay she can eat (if she's been starved feed hay in small amounts 6-10 times a day) and I'd just let her relax and get used to you and her new home for a week or two before any saddle work.

Answer 4

Put her on beet pulp. Need to ad water and soak for about 20 min. About 2 scoops a day and make sure she is wormed every 8 weeks. Worm for tapeworms first.Beet pulp should be added to her regular feed and she should put on plenty of weight. You can add about 1/2 cup of corn oil a day.

Answer 5

I give oil to my 16 hh 2 year old QH gelding.  I worked him up to one cup per feeding twice a day.  Usually this is enough, but some horses may need more.

Answer 6

i would talk to your vet about it.  

Answer 7

I agree. Ask your vet first.  He/She will advise you to use a high end feed, then you wont need any adatives.  Thats unless your roping, or barell racing pretty heavy.....

Answer 8

Start slowly.  Presuming you feed her twice daily, start with 1/4 c. mixed into her feed at each meal.  Over the course of a few days, build to giving her 1 c. per meal and bring her around slowly.  I have never used more than 2 c. per day.  Make sure she has good grass hay 24/7 and turn out on good pasture would be good for her. When she is able to get some exercise, again, start slowly with some nice walking sessions and build from there.  I would never lunge her.  If she is a track horse, she has been running in circles all her life.  If she is not off the track, it is still senseless and really boring for such extremely intelligent horses.   Bless you for what you are doing and best of luck with your mare.