Typically, horses that tend to carry a little extra weight during the summer months are likely to lose some of that weight burning energy to keep warm during the winter months. However, as our winters are becoming milder and exercise regimes cut back due to the dark, cold winter months and periods in lock down, we are starting to see more owners who are concerned that their ‘good-doers’ are looking very well indeed, as we head into spring.
Carrying extra weight can have a negative impact on our equines health, putting extra pressure on the heart, and lungs, joints and soft tissues, as well as leaving horses prone to disease such as equine metabolic syndrome (EMS) and laminitis.
It is never too late to start thinking about addressing your horses’ weight. Using the body scoring 6-point system (0-5), you can study your horse to see how they look and feel compared with the points on the chart. 0 is emaciated, 3 is healthy, 5 is obese. https://www.bluecross.org.uk/sites/default/files/downloads/1.body-score-chart.pdf
Take photos so you can see how your horse changes over time.
You can also take a measurement of your horses’ weight using a weigh tape or by using a tape measure and the formula = (heartgirth X heartgirth) x body length divided by 330 to give you the horses weight in lbs. Divide this by 2.2 to get kilograms. ‘Heartgirth’ is the measurement taken by measuring all the way round your horses’ girth from the highest point on the withers to just behind the elbows. Body length is measured from the point of the shoulder to the point of the buttock (the ischial tuberosity) with the tape laying against the contours of the horse, on one side.
Compare this to the ‘ideal’ weight for your horses’ size and breed and record the weight so you can keep check.
If you feel your horse is obese (point 5 on the body scoring chart) then they are at high risk of developing a serious disease, such as laminitis. Immediate action must be taken to reduce your horses’ weight, and you may wish to consult your vet for advice.
If you feel that your horse is fat (point 4 on the body scoring chart), you still need to take immediate action. Top tips include:
· Increasing exercise levels – ridden work if appropriate, or in hand if your horse is not in ridden work. Build work up gradually if your horse is unfit. Use hills and gradually build up time spent fast walking, trotting and cantering.
· Reduce grazing availability- consider using a grazing muzzle, strip grazing, or increase the size of the herd if it is sensible and safe to do so.
· Soak any good quality hay for at least 12 hours to reduce the sugar content before feeding. Consider hanging the hay in small-holed nets in the middle of the stable, to make it last longer.
· Reduce rugs – horses naturally shiver and canter about to keep warm in winter months. This is the sign that they are burning energy which is good for weight loss. Use this to your advantage while you still can! Consider lighter weight rugs, or no rug at all if the horse has a good coat and the weather is dry/not windy and there is good shelter. Stabled horses do not find it as easy to stay warm, so keep the stable rug on, especially if the horse is clipped.
· Reassess the diet- reduce hard feed and maintain fibre, such as low energy fibre chaff and poor quality or soaked hay
For more information on managing your horses weight please see this excellent publication by the Blue Cross https://www.bluecross.org.uk/sites/default/files/downloads/fat-horse-slim.pdf
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