A natural, grain-free solution for weight gain and condition.
Thunderbrook Gentle Gain is a premium forage pellet based on the wholesome combination of sainfoin and rice bran. It is an ideal option for all types of horses and ponies needing to safely gain or maintain a healthy body condition. Formulated to be entirely grain-free, it supports healthy weight gain and muscle development without compromising delicate equine metabolic health.
Key features and benefits:
- Rich in natural fibre and protein – features high-quality essential amino acids from sainfoin and slow-release energy from rice bran to support topline and coat shine.
- Highly versatile preparation – can be fed comfortably dry to horses with good dentition, or easily soaked into a soft mash for senior horses and fussy eaters.
- Naturally clean formulation – completely free of grains, molasses, alfalfa, soya, and synthetic additives or processing fillers.
Description
A natural, grain-free solution for weight gain.
For some horses, maintaining an ideal body condition can be challenging. Weight loss and reduced muscle mass may not be healthily resolved by feeding traditional compound feeds and their ingredients. Thunderbrook Gentle Gain offers a natural, grain-free solution to support healthy weight gain without compromising metabolic health. Free from alfalfa, molasses, soya, and beet pulp, this formula features the high-quality protein of rice bran and sainfoin—a forage plant cherished for its nutrients, natural tannins that support nutrient digestion and protein availability, and for its ecological value as a nitrogen-fixing and pollinator-loving plant. Gentle Gain is highly versatile and can be fed dry or soaked, making it a convenient and palatable choice for all horses.
Restoring natural balance:
Thunderbrook Gentle Gain contains naturally occurring essential amino acids and omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids to support muscle development and optimal conditioning. Protein from sainfoin, along with sustainable energy from natural rice bran, aids in building and maintaining muscle mass while promoting a glossy coat.
Supporting sensitive horses:
Horses that are sensitive to sugars and starches often struggle with traditional feeds. Thunderbrook Gentle Gain provides a scientifically balanced alternative, formulated to respect the delicate glucose metabolism and digestive systems of horses. The starch from the rice bran is a complex starch molecule, which is therefore digested more gradually. Thereby it prevents a peak in blood glucose levels, ensuring metabolic equilibrium while contributing to healthy weight gain. With its low sugar and starch content and low glycaemic index, Gentle Gain is safe for horses with metabolic sensitivities, such as laminitis, Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS), or insulin dysregulation. The inclusion of rice bran provides slow-releasing energy, supporting weight gain without triggering high blood sugar peaks.
Digestive health naturally:
High in fibre from sainfoin and other natural forages, Thunderbrook Gentle Gain supports healthy digestion by encouraging natural chewing and saliva production when fed dry. This helps buffer stomach acids and maintain gut health. Additionally, yeast (probiotic saccharomyces cerevisiae) supports a balanced intestinal microbiome, enhancing nutrient absorption and digestive resilience.
Feeding Tip:
Pair this feed with Thunderbrook Daily Essentials or Daily Synergy to ensure your horse receives a complete daily supply of essential vitamins and minerals.
Additional Information
| Weight | 20 kg |
|---|---|
| Weight | |
| Need | Grainfree, Poor Dental Health, Sugar Sensitive Horses, Weight Gain & Conditioning |
| Type of Product |
Composition & Analysis
Composition & Analysis
Composition
Sainfoin (58.5%), Rice bran (32%), Linseed, Yeast product (4%), Monocalcium phosphate, Magnesium oxide.
Analytical Constituents
Crude Protein 15.1%, Crude fat 8.7%, Crude Fibre 21.2%, Crude Ash 10%, Sugar, 4.5%, Starch, 10.7%, Calcium 1.31%, Phosphorus 0.92%, Sodium 0.42%, Potassium 1.91%, Magnesium 0.66%, DE 10.5MJ/kg.
Feeding Guidelines
Feeding Guidelines
Feeding Guide:
Thunderbrook Gentle Gain can be fed dry or soaked. To feed soaked, mix 1 part of Gentle Gain with 2 parts of warm water (a 1:2 ratio by volume) and let it soak for approximately 10 minutes to form a soft, palatable mash before feeding.
| Horse Condition | Pony (300 kg) | Horse (600 kg) |
|---|---|---|
| Lean Horse | 0.5 kg per day | 1.0 kg per day |
| Underweight | 0.75 kg per day | 1.5 kg per day |
| Severely Underweight | 1.2 kg per day | 2.4 kg per day |
Suitable for
Suitable for
Ideal for a wide range of horses, including:
- Lean and underweight horses needing to build condition safely.
- Senior horses requiring additional nutritional and digestive support.
- Recovery after a period of illness, injury, or stress.
- Horses with metabolic conditions such as PSSM, Cushing’s, laminitis, or gastric issues.
- Horses requiring a grain-free diet to maintain health and balance.
Key Features
Key Features
• Forage-based pellet for dry or soaked feeding
• Free of grains, molasses, and synthetic additives
• Supports healthy digestion
• Low in sugar and starch, safe for sensitive horses
• Naturally rich in amino acids (protein)
• Sainfoin as a primary forage, free from alfalfa
• Balanced calcium-to-phosphorus ratio
• Non-GMO, soy-free formula
FAQ
FAQ
What sets Thunderbrook Gentle Gain apart from other conditioning feeds?
Thunderbrook Gentle Gain uses sainfoin instead of alfalfa, offering a gentle, more natural fibre source with beneficial tannins that promote digestive health.
Can it be fed dry, and is it safe for all horses?
Yes, it can be fed dry, but ensure your horse has good dental health to chew it properly. For horses with dental issues, older horses, or those who are prone to eating too quickly/choke, soaking is recommended.
Why does rice bran feature in this product?
Rice bran provides high protein content and a slow-releasing, highly digestible source of energy that supports weight gain without raising insulin levels , making it ideal for metabolic-sensitive horses.
Is the sugar and starch level safe for horses with EMS or laminitis?
Absolutely. With a combined sugar and starch content of around 15%, Thunderbrook Gentle Gain remains in the low glycaemic category. The glyceamic index indicates the extent to which carbohydrates (sugar & starch) in a product affect the glucose levels in the blood, which determines the degree of insulin response in the horse.
How does sainfoin benefit my horse?
Sainfoin is a natural, tannin-rich forage known to support gut health, and offer highly digestible protein for muscle and condition.
Related Products
Louise Mcfaite –
My show cob has been on this feed trialing it and the difference has been extreme. After purchasing him in January he was shortly after diagnosed with grade 3 gastric ulcers he was under weight poor condition no shine, so he needed something natural and kind to stomachs and something that will overall improve his condition. Since starting gentle gain he has gained significant amount of weight his coats so shiny and he absolutely loves the feed. He’s also scanned clear of ulcers therefore the feed has had a positive impact. He also recently took home 2 best condition awards from Heathfield agricultural show in ridden affiliated classes. I highly recommend this feed along with all thunderbrook feeds all 4 of our horses are on their healthy herbal chaff and I can’t recommend this company and there feeds enough.
Lisa (verified owner) –
Raven has been on this since we found out she had grade 3 and a grade 4 ulcer, along with healthy herbal chaff and gut restore and ulca suppliment she has been amazing and no issues, we have kept her on the diet and won’t change, she has kept her weight on but hasn’t gained it either, now she is in work she has 1 large feed in a morning while she goes out for a few hours and a smaller feed 30 to 40 minutes before ridden work to make sure her tummy is buffered. Really good products, no issues and the people on the otherside of the phone are really wonderful
Lisa (verified owner) –
Raven has been on this since we found out she had grade 3 and a grade 4 ulcer, along with healthy herbal chaff and gut restore and ulca suppliment she has been amazing and no issues, we have kept her on the diet and won’t change, she has kept her weight on but hasn’t gained it either, now she is in work she has 1 large feed in a morning while she goes out for a few hours and a smaller feed 30 to 40 minutes before ridden work to make sure her tummy is buffered. Really good products, no issues and the people on the otherside of the phone are really wonderful
Eileen Newman –
He is fussy but he loves this; I found it great for conditioning when it came out last year
Nutritionist recommended I feed this as his base feed I was worried he wouldn’t eat it as the main mash with supplements, but he loves it, I was out of it and used coolstance but he spat bits out around the pot ,
Very versatile I give a cup of it in but form when I arrive to yard to keep him ticking over while I’m making up main feed. Otherwise he gets antsy anticipating feed
Eileen Newman –
He is fussy but he loves this; I found it great for conditioning when it came out last year
Nutritionist recommended I feed this as his base feed I was worried he wouldn’t eat it as the main mash with supplements, but he loves it, I was out of it and used coolstance but he spat bits out around the pot ,
Very versatile I give a cup of it in but form when I arrive to yard to keep him ticking over while I’m making up main feed. Otherwise he gets antsy anticipating feed