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I was feeding my guys carrots daily. I don't mean just one either. Sometimes I went through a huge bag of them.

My gelding started packing on the weight. I am a firm believer that carrots helped their weight gain. That and the new grass.

Too much sugar and carrots are loaded with sugar.

This being said, I think he has insulin resistance. My mare didn't pork out like him but did gain some.

I cut out all sugar type treats (apples and carrots included). Diabetic mints or molasses free horse treats now.

Here is a write up on http://www.wisconsin-horse.com/horses-carrots.htm

"Carrots will not improve eyesight of a horse that is not deficient in vitamin A. The National Research Council’s (1989) recommendations state a horse, at maintenance activity level, requires 30 I.U. (international units) of vitamin A per each kilogram (2.2 pounds) of body weight per day. This means a 1,000 pound horse requires around 13,635 I.U.’s of vitamin A each day. One pound of carrots contains 30,000 I.U.’s of vitamin A. The NRC has determined the upper safe limit of vitamin A for a 1,100-pound horse is 80,000 I.U.’s per day.

Vitamin A can be toxic if over-supplemented. Vitamin A is a fat soluble vitamin and is not flushed out of the system. The natural beta-carotene found in alfalfa hay, pasture and carrots has not been found to be toxic. The use of commercial supplements that contain vitamin A must be monitored to insure over-supplementation does not occur.

Carrots are high in sugar. It is recommended horses with Cushing’s syndrome, insulin resistance or equine polysaccharide storage myopathy (EPSM) avoid being fed large amounts of carrots…or any other treat containing high levels of soluble carbohydrates (sugar). "

EDIT:

Ok..more info

http://www.helium.com/items/470488-how-to-help-a-h...

"Healthy treats can also help a horse gain weight quickly. Apples, and Carrots, are great treats for a horse and are relatively high in sugar and calories. Increase your horse's intake of treats for a short time. Try making a mash with apples, oatmeal, carrots, and molasses. Your horse should pack on the pounds. When your horse has gained a good amount of weight, start reducing the treats.

EDIT: on a positive note for feeding carrots

http://www.australiannaturalhealing.com/horses-men...

"Recent studies have demonstrated that carrots play an important role in lowering the risk of cancer. In "Epidemiology of Diet and Cancer" By M. J. Hill, A. Giacosa, Christine P. J. Caygill, the authors discuss results of Steinmetz and Potter's studies (1991) across several countries in relation to diet and cancer. Carrots as well as soy products, tomatoes, green and yellow vegetables and legumes appear to protect from most common cancers. Since cancer is quite prominent in Australia, especially skin cancer, carrots seem a good choice as tidbits for your horse!

John Konhke recommends up to 500 g/day which is about 4 big carrots. An easy way to give carrots is to chop them into small bits and put them into your horse's feed. He will really love this and will take pleasure in searching for those yummy morsels in his feed!"

ADD: If my gelding didn't seem to be insulin resistant, I'd be giving them a carrot or two a day. :)

Sooo..once your guy loses his weight I would think you can go back to the carrots, but stay away from the sugar treats like mints and butterscotch,etc. Those are killer to the waistline and to the teeth! :)