09/01/2025
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Did you know up to 50% of equines in the UK are overweight?
Obese horses and ponies are considered to be one of the most serious concerns of welfare in UK leisure horses. Obesity can have a detrimental effect on joint and orthopaedic health, respiratory health as well as links to laminitis and Equine Metabolic Syndrome.
We tend to find most owners are aware their horse is overweight, and aware of the risks, however they require help making a plan for weight loss. Winter is the perfect time to diet your horse due to reduced grazing, so here are our top tips to help you get your horse's weight back on track for 2025!
๐นExercise: a little bit is better than none at all! So go for that weekend hack, take your horse for a hand walk or put the water trough at the top of the hill- every little bit helps.
๐นDon't over rug: Either turn out naked, or clip and lightly rug in a waterproof sheet if required. This will help to promote weight loss.
๐นCut out all unnecessary feed including hard feed, chaff and treats. A forage only diet is much easier to monitor and adapt for weight loss.
๐น Start to weigh your horse's hay: A horse in light work, aiming for weight loss, only needs 1.5-2% body weight in forage per day - for an average 14.2hh cob, this is about 6-8 kg of forage (hay, grass and chaff) per 24 hour period. Weigh what you are currently feeding and start to make adjustments, remembering that they are also grazing in the field...
๐นSoak your hay: soaking for at least 8 hours (after weighing) will help reduce the nutritional content of your horse's hay, helping promote weight loss. Remember to use fresh water for each soak.
๐น Use a weigh bridge or weigh tape: By having a weekly weigh in, you'll be able to monitor any improvements and this will help keep you (and your horse!) on track!
๐นCarry out a regular body condition score to assess your horse: See our guide in the photo above or ask your vet to demonstrate when they next visit.
๐น Set an exercise goal: For example aim to ride 100km during January or trying a new hacking route each weekend.
If you would like some tailored information about dieting your horse, please contact us or speak to our vets at their next visit.
01420 520 164
[email protected]