Product evaluated: Pennwoods Body Builder 4000, Horse Weight Gain Supplement, High Fat and Energy Horse Weight Builder with Body Conditioning Horse Vitamins, Improves Hoof Quality - 25 LB Bag
Related Videos For You
Liquid Muscle Supplement for Horses - PERFORMANCE BUILDER
How should I feed my thin horse?
Data basis: I reviewed dozens of written reviews, Q&A posts, and multiple video demonstrations gathered between Jan 2023 and Jan 2026. Most feedback came from written reviews, supported by video demos and buyer Q&A entries.
| Outcome | Pennwoods Body Builder 4000 | Typical Mid‑Range Alternative |
|---|---|---|
| Weight gain | Inconsistent gains—commonly reported failure to reach advertised weight within weeks. | More reliable gains—mid-range products often show steady improvement for most horses. |
| Palatability | Higher refusal risk—seen repeatedly when first offered, across written and video feedback. | Better acceptance—typical alternatives have fewer initial refusal reports. |
| Digestive impact | Digestive upset—less frequent but persistent reports of looser stools after introduction. | Lower GI issues—most mid-range options report fewer sensitivity complaints. |
| Quality control | Batch variability—occasional clumping or texture differences noted across packages. | More consistent—mid-range brands usually show tighter quality control. |
| Regret trigger | Unmet expectations—buyers repeatedly cite wasted money when horses refuse or don't gain. | Lower regret—mid-range alternatives cause fewer abandoned feeding plans. |
Why do horses refuse or ignore the supplement?
Regret moment: Many buyers report a horse refusing the product during the first few feedings, leaving the bag unused. Pattern: This is a commonly reported primary issue across written reviews and video demos.
Usage anchor: Refusal typically shows up in the first days when replacing an existing feed, and it worsens when mixed without attractants. Category contrast: Refusal rates appear higher than typical mid-range weight builders, making the product less forgiving for picky eaters.
Why didn’t my horse gain weight after weeks?
- Primary failure: Many buyers report minimal change after following label directions for weeks, a recurring pattern in written feedback.
- When it appears: The problem shows after 3–6 weeks of feeding at label dose without the expected body condition improvement.
- Cause signal: Reports point to variable effectiveness, especially when horses are picky or already on rich rations.
- Owner impact: This is a primary issue because it breaks the core promise of a weight gainer, leading buyers to stop use.
- Fix attempts: Buyers often report adding molasses or higher-calorie feeds, which adds cost and time when the product alone didn't work.
Could this cause digestive upset or sensitivity?
- Secondary pattern: There are persistent reports of looser stools and mild digestive changes shortly after introduction.
- Timing: Issues most often appear within the first week of feeding and sometimes resolve after dose reduction.
- Who’s affected: Sensitive or older horses are more likely to show this secondary reaction, noted across reviews and Q&A.
- Worsening conditions: Digestive upset increases when owners raise the dose or combine it with other rich feeds.
- Manageability: Some buyers fixed problems by gradually introducing the product, but this adds days or weeks.
- Category contrast: This is more disruptive than similar mid-range supplements, where sensitivity reports are less common.
What hidden costs or quality issues should I expect?
- Packaging variability: Multiple buyers note clumping or texture differences between bags, seen across written reviews.
- Storage impact: Problems often show after shipping or if stored in warm, humid conditions, creating extra handling steps.
- Value trade-off: At current price, many buyers felt the product didn't deliver weight or required extra supplements.
- Hidden requirement: Expect to mix or add attractants for picky horses, which increases time and cost.
- Customer fixes: Reported fixes include blending with other feeds or treats, which reduces the product's practical value.
- Warranty note: The product lists a 1 year warranty, but buyers still report time spent seeking replacements or refunds.
- Category contrast: This feels less polished than mid-range options that arrive consistent and ready-to-feed.
Illustrative excerpts

Illustrative: My mare wouldn’t touch it for three days, then only after molasses was added. Reflects a primary pattern.
Illustrative: Fed as directed for five weeks with almost no weight change. Reflects a primary pattern.
Illustrative: Loose stools started two days after first feeding and eased after halving the dose. Reflects a secondary pattern.
Illustrative: Bag arrived clumped; texture was different from previous orders. Reflects an edge-case pattern.
Who should avoid this

- Picky eaters: Owners of horses that refuse new feeds should avoid this due to the higher refusal risk.
- Need reliable gains: Buyers who require predictable weight gain for competition or breeding should avoid this product.
- Sensitive GI horses: Horses with known digestive sensitivity should avoid until tolerance is proven.
Who this is actually good for

- Budget-conscious tests: Owners willing to trial one bag and add attractants can tolerate inconsistent acceptance.
- Horses needing extra calories: Strong eaters that accept new feeds may see benefit despite variability.
- Owners with mixing plans: Those ready to blend with other high-calorie feeds can work around weak standalone performance.
Expectation vs reality

Expectation: A weight gainer should show visible improvement within a few weeks for most horses. Reality: Pennwoods often shows minimal change for many buyers after weeks.
Expectation: Supplements arrive consistent and ready to feed. Reality: Some buyers report clumping or texture differences that require extra handling.
Safer alternatives

- Try samples first: Request a small sample or buy the smallest bag to test palatability before committing.
- Choose proven formulas: Prefer brands with documented, consistent weight gains across many buyers.
- Slow introduction: Introduce any new calorie source gradually to reduce digestive upset risk.
- Check return policy: Prioritize sellers with easy returns to avoid value loss if the product fails.
The bottom line

Main regret: The top reason to avoid this product is its inconsistent weight gain and higher-than-normal refusal rate.
Why it matters: These failures exceed typical category risk because they directly break the core promise of a weight builder and add hidden costs.
Verdict: Avoid if you need predictable, plug-and-play results; consider testing a small amount if you accept extra handling and cost.
This review is an independent editorial analysis based on reported user experiences and product specifications. NegReview.com does not sell products.

