Is My Horse Overweight?

Sometimes it’s really hard to tell if our horse is gaining weight. Since we see them every day in the stable, we might not notice gradual weight gain. Visually assessing a horse’s fat level can also be misleading. The best way to keep track of weight is to use a horse weigh tape, ideally every two weeks. While the tape gives only approximate results, it helps you notice if your horse is gaining or losing weight. It’s also a good idea to regularly use the BCS (Body Condition Score) system to track your horse’s fat levels.

Horses gain weight when they consume more energy from feed than they expend through physical activity. To help a horse lose weight, it needs a diet rich in essential nutrients but low in calories. Planning such a diet can be challenging.

As the saying goes, „prevention is better than cure.” Simply reducing calorie-rich feed is not enough, as even overweight horses need good protein, vitamins, and minerals. The diet should also consider that horses eat almost continuously, so they need constant access to feed.

How to determine if a horse is overweight?

Weight tapes and condition scoring systems are useful for monitoring a horse’s weight. Basic condition scoring guidelines are:

If bones are not visible but can be felt, the horse is at a healthy weight.

If the outlines of bones are visible under the skin, the horse is too thin.

If bones are not visible and cannot be felt, the horse is overweight.

In studies, horse owners were asked to rate their animals’ condition using the BCS scale from 1 to 5. It turned out that almost half of the respondents rated their horses one point lower than independent experts. Lack of experience can lead to confusing fat with muscle, but over time, you can learn to assess your horse’s condition based on the thickness of the fat layer. Pay attention to localized fat deposits, such as those on the crest of the neck. Primitive breeds like ponies tend to accumulate fat in specific areas, which can increase the risk of metabolic disorders like laminitis.

Risks of Obesity in Horses

Obesity is not just about excess calories – fat acts as an active structure that can disrupt the body’s hormonal balance, including insulin control. Insulin resistance is often linked to pasture laminitis, and Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS) refers to horses with insulin resistance, overweight, and/or laminitis. Obesity increases the risk of various health problems, including joint issues, reduced exercise tolerance, fertility problems, and abdominal lipomas, which can lead to colic, especially in older horses and ponies.

How to Feed a “Weight-Gaining” Horse?

Horses that easily gain weight need a well-balanced but low-calorie diet.

Hay and Other Forage: Overweight horses need hay and grass just like others, but you shouldn’t reduce their daily forage intake below 1.5% of their body weight unless advised by a vet. To prevent health issues like colic or ulcers, ensure constant access to hay and avoid long periods without food. Techniques to slow down eating, such as using small-holed nets, can be helpful.

Silage: Usually not recommended for weight-prone horses as it is more nutritious than hay. For such horses, hay or straw is a better option.

Hay: Late-cut meadow hay is great for easy-gaining horses. You can soak it in warm water to reduce sugar and calorie levels.

Straw: Adding straw to the diet can help with weight loss, but it should be introduced gradually. Straw shouldn’t be the sole forage source as it can increase the risk of ulcers.

Grass: Overweight horses should have limited access to grass. Strip grazing or using a grazing muzzle can help control grass intake, but make sure your horse doesn’t start eating too quickly when the muzzle is removed.

Concentrates: Concentrates are not the main culprit for obesity – it’s usually the high-calorie forage and lack of exercise. If horses need concentrates, choose low-calorie balancers, which provide essential vitamins and minerals without extra calories.

Supplements: Fat makes it harder to regulate body temperature, so overweight horses might sweat more during work. Losing water and salt through sweat can lead to dehydration and muscle issues. Constant access to fresh water and mineral salts (salt licks or kitchen salt) is crucial. Electrolytes can also be given if the horse sweats heavily.

To maintain a stable weight, a 500 kg horse generally needs around 20,000 calories daily. One kilogram of good hay contains approximately 7-8 megajoules of energy (or 2,000 calories), so a 10 kg evening serving of hay will provide the horse’s total daily energy needs before it eats any pasture or grain feed.

When reducing the evening hay ration for horses that graze, it’s important to ensure the hay is not consumed too quickly, as this could leave the horse hungry overnight and lead to unwanted behaviors or digestive issues like ulcers or colic. To prevent these problems, use feeding methods that slow down hay consumption.

Exercising an Overweight Horse

Exercise is key to helping a horse lose weight. Daily work, even for a short time, helps burn calories. It’s important to gradually increase the intensity of training to avoid overloading the animal. Longer, moderate exercise sessions are more effective than short, intense bursts. Vary the workouts with trail rides or work over poles to keep your horse engaged.

Losing weight is a process that takes time, patience, and consistency. Extra pounds didn’t appear overnight, so they won’t disappear instantly. Focus on diet and regular exercise, and success will come with time!