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Seven Reasons Why You Should Watch Your Horse’s WeightBy Kentucky Equine Research Staff · March 24, 2014

Let’s cut to the chase: obesity is just as detrimental to horses as it is humans. And here’s why:

Let’s cut to the chase: obesity is just as detrimental to horses as it is humans.

1.  Overweight horses have a propensity to laminitis, the often life-threatening disease that wreaks havoc on hoof tissue. The damage is sometimes so profound that the entire hoof capsule sloughs from the underlying soft tissue.

2.  Wear and tear on joints increases substantially as horses carry more bulk. Overweight humans are often relieved of joint pain as they lose weight, so the scenario is likely similar for hefty horses.

3.  Recent research has uncovered a definite link between obesity and metabolic problems, including equine metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, glucose intolerance, and hyperinsulinemia. Some of these problems can increase the risk of laminitis.

4.  Many overweight horses develop lipomas, or fatty tumors.  When a pedunculated lipoma forms in the abdominal cavity, an increased risk of small intestine strangulation occurs, causing colic.

5.  Heavy horses have a harder time working, more than ever in hot or humid weather. Exercise intolerance is fun for neither the horse nor the rider.

6.  Obese horses have a harder time becoming fit or conditioned for regular, prolonged exercise, particularly after lengthy periods of rest.   

7.  Feeding horses to excessive body condition can be hard on the wallet, and this is especially true when horses are fed primarily processed feedstuffs like hay, hay products, or concentrates.

Keeping horses at a healthy body weight often requires dedication by the owner. Finding appropriate forage, maintaining a strict grazing schedule, outfitting horses with grazing muzzles, and implementing an exercise schedule takes time, but the effort is well worth it when the result is a healthy, sound horse.

Need a bit of guidance in slimming your horse? Consult with an equine nutritionist. Don’t have one in your area? Register or log in to Equinews.com, and then go to Answer Exchange to submit a question to KER nutritionists.

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