Vital Calorie Horse Supplement

Vital Calorie is a high-calorie ground supplement formulated for horses that struggle to maintain body condition, including hard keepers, performance horses in heavy work, horses recovering from illness or surgery, and senior horses with diminished digestive efficiency. The product delivers 3,900 kcal of digestible energy per kilogram — significantly higher than most complete feeds (typically 2,400–2,800 kcal/kg) — without relying on high-starch grains. Instead, the caloric density comes primarily from quality fat sources: flaxseed, stabilized rice bran, extruded soy, and protected palmitic fat. With 19.5% crude fat, Vital Calorie is one of the most energy-dense supplements available for equines. It is suitable for all horse types including ponies, mares in lactation, foals over 6 months, and elite sport horses. Unlike cereal grain overfeeding, the fat-based caloric approach reduces the risk of digestive upset, laminitis, and excitable behavior — common consequences of excess starch. Vital Calorie is most effective when used alongside a quality forage base and a complete vitamin-mineral supplement such as Vital Glo.

The risk of colic and laminitis in horses fed large quantities of conventional feed is closely tied to rapid fermentation of starch and sugars in the hindgut. Vital Calorie sidesteps this problem by providing the majority of its calories through dietary fat rather than rapidly fermentable carbohydrates. With only 6% starch and 2% sugar, the product has a glycemic index well below the 13% threshold recommended for metabolically sensitive horses. Fat is digested primarily in the small intestine through enzymatic processes, meaning it does not undergo the volatile fermentation that disrupts hindgut microbiota. Each gram of fat yields approximately 2.25 times more energy than a gram of carbohydrate, so horses receive substantially more calories from a smaller volume of feed. The feeding protocol further reduces risk: the recommended dose of 50 g per 100 kg body weight can be split across two or more meals, which prevents gastric overload.

• Hindgut-safe caloric density from fat rather than starch
• Feeding rate 50 g/100 kg body weight — dramatically less volume than grain overfeeding
• Low glycemic index reduces fermentation disruption
• Safe to combine with existing feed without abrupt ration changes

Vital Calorie is dosed according to the horse's body condition score and workload intensity rather than by work level alone. The recommended dose is 50 g per 100 kg of body weight per day across all three categories in the feeding guide — whether the horse is below target condition, needs improvement, or is in good condition with increased work demands. For a 500 kg horse, this equals 250 g per day, ideally divided into two or more meals for optimal digestion. Vital Calorie should be incorporated gradually over 7–10 days to allow the digestive microbiome to adapt to the increased fat intake. It is important to note that the product is designed to supplement, not replace, a balanced forage-based diet: horses should still consume between 1.5% and 2.5% of their body weight in hay or pasture daily. To achieve complete vitamin and mineral coverage at reduced feed levels, the manufacturer recommends adding 250 g of Vital Glo per day (100 g for ponies) alongside Vital Calorie. Always ensure fresh water is available at all times, and add 1–2 oz of plain salt to the ration daily.

Yes. Vital Calorie is specifically formulated with a low glycemic index — containing only 6% starch and 2% sugar for a combined non-structural carbohydrate level well under 10% — which places it below the threshold typically recommended for horses with insulin dysregulation, equine metabolic syndrome (EMS), or pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID, commonly called Cushing's disease). Horses prone to laminitis are at heightened risk when fed high-starch diets because excess glucose triggers exaggerated insulin responses that compromise blood flow to the laminae. By delivering energy primarily through fat, Vital Calorie avoids this hormonal cascade. That said, horses with active laminitis or diagnosed EMS should always be managed in consultation with a veterinarian. The base forage should also be assessed: hay with high non-structural carbohydrate content can negate the benefits of a low-glycemic supplement. Soaking hay for 30–60 minutes in cold water can reduce NSC content by 20–30% in Quebec winters when grass access is restricted. Vital Calorie's gastric health formulation — with prebiotics, probiotics and postbiotics — also helps maintain hindgut microbiome balance in horses on restricted diets, reducing the stress-related digestive disturbances common in metabolically managed horses.

Muscle mass and topline quality are directly dependent on the availability of specific essential amino acids, particularly lysine, methionine and threonine — in that order of priority. Vital Calorie contains a carefully balanced amino acid profile: lysine at 1.10% (the first limiting amino acid for horses), methionine at 0.55%, and threonine at 0.66%. These levels are notably higher than most complete feeds and are designed to support active muscle protein synthesis. Lysine is critical for new muscle fiber creation; methionine contributes sulfur for keratin (hoof and coat quality) and acts as a methylation agent for cellular repair; threonine is essential for immune function and digestive mucosa integrity. Together, they create the biochemical foundation for topline rebuilding, particularly in horses with epaxial muscle atrophy — a common issue in senior horses, horses returning from stall rest, and those in heavy work with inadequate protein intake. The high protein content of 18% crude protein, combined with the energy density, ensures the horse is not in a catabolic state (burning muscle for fuel) while trying to build or maintain muscle mass. For horses specifically targeting topline improvement, pairing Vital Calorie with Prestige Supplement 33% provides an even higher amino acid concentration.

Vital Calorie delivers 5% omega-3 and 2.3% omega-6 fatty acids — a ratio that significantly exceeds most commercial equine feeds and even many dedicated omega-3 supplements. The omega-3 fatty acids (primarily alpha-linolenic acid from flaxseed and stabilized rice bran) are precursors to anti-inflammatory eicosanoids. In practical terms, this means reduced joint inflammation — particularly valuable for horses in heavy work, older horses with degenerative joint conditions, and horses recovering from soft tissue injuries. Omega-3 supplementation has also been associated with improved sperm quality in breeding stallions and better implantation rates in mares. The omega-6 fatty acids, while pro-inflammatory in excess, serve essential roles in skin barrier integrity, coat water-resistance, and immune cell membrane function. The relatively moderate omega-6 level in Vital Calorie, combined with the high omega-3 content, produces a favorable anti-inflammatory ratio. Visible effects of adequate omega supplementation in horses include:

• Improved coat sheen and reduced dryness within 4–6 weeks
• Stronger, faster-growing hooves (synergistic with the methionine content)
• Reduced stiffness after exercise or during Quebec winters when cold exacerbates joint issues
• Calmer, more focused behavior in horses prone to anxiety

All three Prestige supplements serve different primary functions and are often used in combination rather than as alternatives. Vital Calorie (SKU 8845) is the caloric intervention — its primary purpose is energy delivery through fat, with secondary muscle support through amino acids. It is the right choice when a horse needs to gain weight, maintain weight under heavy work, or recover body condition. Vital Glo 10% (SKU 8835) is a vitamin-mineral supplement — its primary purpose is micronutrient coverage at low feeding volumes, ideal for horses on restricted caloric intake who still need complete nutritional support. At 40–80 g/100 kg body weight, it delivers concentrated vitamins (Vit A 150,000 IU/kg, Vit E 3,000 IU/kg) and highly bioavailable organic trace minerals. Prestige Supplement 33% (SKU 8833) is a protein-focused supplement — its primary purpose is topline and muscle development through its 33% crude protein content and 2% lysine level, the highest in the Prestige line.

• Need to gain weight → Vital Calorie is the primary tool
• Need vitamin-mineral coverage at low volume → Vital Glo is essential
• Need topline and muscle mass → Supplement 33% is most targeted
• Best outcomes typically combine Vital Calorie + Vital Glo for hard keepers needing both calories and micronutrients

Yes — Vital Calorie is designed to integrate seamlessly with existing feeding programs. Because it is a ground supplement (supplément moulu) rather than a complete feed, it is intended to be added on top of or mixed directly into the horse's current ration. The high palatability noted in the product profile means most horses accept it readily, even without a transition period, though a 7–10 day introduction is advisable for horses with sensitive digestive systems. The key consideration when adding Vital Calorie is to reduce the existing feed volume proportionally: since Vital Calorie significantly increases caloric density, maintaining the same volume of existing feed could lead to overconsumption and weight gain beyond the intended target. A practical approach for a 500 kg horse at moderate work: reduce existing cubed feed by 200–250 g and add 250 g of Vital Calorie, then monitor body condition score weekly using the Henneke scale. Vital Calorie is also compatible with all Prestige line products and can be combined with Vital Glo (250 g/day) for complete vitamin-mineral coverage. If the horse is already on a vitamin-mineral supplement, check for selenium overlap — Vital Calorie contains 1 ppm selenium per kg at a dose of 250 g/day, delivering approximately 0.25 mg selenium, well within the safe range for a 500 kg horse (maximum 2 mg/day). At F.G. Edwards in West Brome and Bedford, our team can help you build the right combination for your horse's specific needs.