Hercules and His Nutrition – How an Andalusian with Arthrosis Regains Strength Through the Right Feeding Plan

Many horse owners face the same challenge: after injuries or long stays in clinics, horses lose weight, muscle mass, and overall condition. This is exactly what happened to Hercules, a 15-year-old Andalusian gelding. But with a carefully designed feeding plan, he is now on his way back to strength and vitality.

The Starting Point

Hercules has an excellent character – energetic, curious, sometimes with his own ideas (like jumping over fences). After a serious accident and several smaller injuries, he was diagnosed with arthrosis. He spent months in treatment, but his blood values are now stable, and veterinary checks confirm good general health.

The main problem remained: weight loss and poor muscle condition. Despite a good appetite, Hercules lost weight, especially in spring and autumn. The reason was mainly his diet – too much starch and sugar from grain, too little high-quality protein and fat.

Goals of the Feeding Adjustment

• Weight gain and muscle development through diverse protein sources such as alfalfa, soy, linseed, and sunflower.
• Higher fat content in the ration to support metabolism and energy balance.
• Gut health support with probiotics (Biogen K) and prebiotics (Gastro Fit Formula with Yarrowia yeast).
• Immune system strengthening with a balancer rich in minerals, vitamins, herbs, and natural additives.
• Regular mash feeding (Flower Mash Grassland) to promote digestion and intestinal peristalsis.
• Linseed oil/Omega supplements for anti-inflammatory effects and support of skin, coat, and hooves.

The Feeding Plan in Detail

The transition was made gradually, so Hercules could adapt to new tastes and nutrient compositions.

Phase I – Introduction

• Combination of Hypona Optimal, Brandon xs, and Musli 245p Il Campione.
• Addition of alfalfa chaff (Scuderia 427).
• Mash 4x per week with Enhancer Muscle Power.
• Supplements: linseed oil (60 ml), Gastro Fit Formula, Biogen K.

Phase II–IV – Building Up

• Reduction of Hypona, more Brandon xs, Musli 245p, and Musli 249 Palio.
• Introduction of Balance Pro Formula as a balancer with minerals and prebiotics.
• Increased oil and Enhancer dosage after training.
• Goal: visible weight gain and muscle development.

Summer Phase

• Adjusted to pasture: reduced concentrates, but continued balancer and Gastro Fit Formula to stabilize digestion.

Autumn/Winter – More Energy

• Use of WES Basic Crunch (St. Hippolyt) – pellet feed with high protein (soy, linseed, grass fibers) and moderate energy.
• Replacement of Musli 249 with Musli 226 Palio, higher in fat and energy.
• Increased Enhancer Muscle Power to 400–500 g daily.

Supplements

• Mash (Flower/Fruti Mash) regularly for digestion.
• Linseed oil or OverHorse Omega+ daily for anti-inflammatory support.
• Gastro Fit Formula long-term for gut flora stabilization.

Feeding Overview Table

Conclusion

Hercules’ feeding journey shows how crucial it is to focus not only on the quantity but also on the quality of protein and fat sources in a horse’s diet. By combining clinical feeds, balancers, mash, and targeted supplements, a horse with arthrosis and condition problems can regain weight and muscle mass.

With patience and consistent adjustments, Hercules is well on his way to becoming fit enough for work under the saddle again.

Example of a Detailed Feeding Plan

The first three doses will be introductory doses, and the next (fourth) will be the target dose for the period until the start of the grazing season.

DOSE I (first week)

daily amount of concentrated feed approx. 2.1 kg: (900 g Hypona Optimal + 600 g Brandon xs + 600 g muesli 245p) 

additives:  3 handfuls of chaff 427 / Flower Mash 4 times a week (approx. 400 g) / 100 g Enhancer Muscle Power

supplements: 60 ml OverHorse Omega+ / 30 g (2 scoops) Gastro Fit Formula / 2.5 g Biogen K probiotic

BREAKFAST 6:00-7:00 a.m.: approx. 300 g Hypona Optimal + 200 g Brandon xs + 200 g muesli 245p + a handful of chaff 427 

LUNCH 12:00: approx. 300 g Hypona Optimal + 200 g Brandon xs + 200 g muesli 245p + a handful of chaff 427 + 60 ml Omega + 30 g (2 scoops) Gastro Fit Formula + 2.5 g Biogen K

DINNER 4 p.m.: approx. 300 g Hypona Optimal + 200 g Brandon xs + 200 g muesli 245p + a handful of chaff 427 

+ 4 times a week (usually in the evening): approx. 400 g Flower Mesz > after pouring hot water over it and allowing it to cool, mix with 100 g Enhancer Muscel Power

SECOND DOSE (next 2 weeks)

daily amount of concentrated feed approx. 2.1 kg: (900 g Brandon + 600 g muesli 245p + 300 g muesli 249 + 250 g Balance Pro Formula)

additives: 3 handfuls of 427 chaff / Flower Mash 4 times a week (approx. 500 g) / 100 g Enhancer Muscle Power

supplements: 60 ml OverHorse Omega+ / 50 g (3 full scoops) Gastro Fit Formula / 5 g Biogen K probiotic

BREAKFAST 6:00-7:00 a.m.: 300 g Brandon xs + 200 g muesli 245p + 250 g Balance Pro Formula + a handful of chaff 427

LUNCH 12:00: 300 g Brandon xs + 200 g muesli 245p + 150 g muesli 249 + a handful of chaff 427 + 60 ml Omega + 50 g (3 full scoops) Gastro Fit Formula + 5 g Biogen K

DINNER 4 p.m.: approx. 300 g Brandon xs + 200 g muesli 245p + 150 g muesli 249 + a handful of chaff 427

+ 4 times a week (usually in the evening): approx. 500 g Flower Mesz > after pouring hot water over it and allowing it to cool, mix with 100 g Enhancer Muscel Power