Having an overweight horse can be incredibly stressful and you’ll find yourself spending a lot of time thinking about how you can help them to lose weight.

Obesity in horses increases the risk of of many health problems, including laminitis, equine metabolic syndrome and joint pain, which makes losing the excess weight all the more important.

Studies indicate that 50–70% of horses in the UK are overweight or obese. Unfortunately because, as a nation of horse owners, we are so used to seeing it, many struggle to recognise when their horse has an issue.

The battle of getting an overweight horse to lose weight is something that I have personal experience of. My pony is the definition of good-doer and when I bought him around 10 years ago he was very overweight. He had a bout of laminitis in our first summer together and after that I became militant. Over the next few years, I worked towards finding a sustainable way to get his weight down and, importantly, keep it off. We eventually hit our stride and he lost more than 100kg over a few years.

Of course, it’s taken a lot of commitment and it’s not all been plain sailing – for example, when we’ve moved yards, each move has required me to reassess how I can manage him best in the new environment with a different setup. Over the past decade I’ve tried almost every tactic and, although it’s hard work, it’s possible to help your horse lose weight – you just need to find what works for you both.

How to help your horse lose weight

Here are some things you can do to help your horse lose weight – the basic principles are “eat less, move more” but there are a number of ways you can arrive at this. You’ll likely need to incorporate multiple changes into your routine in order to see any results, especially if you have a good-doer.

H&H veterinary expert Karen Coumbe agrees that “the feed your horse is consuming is likely to be more important than any exercise, although both need to be considered” when helping your horse to lose weight.

1. Use winter wisely

In the wild, your horse would lose weight naturally over the winter months so if you’re trying to help your horse lose weight you can lean into this. It’s easier to get your horse to lose weight in the winter because it’s colder – so they’re using energy to keep warm – and there’s less grass around, so they’re less likely to overeat.

Horse should come out of winter with their ribs just visible, which will give some scope for natural weight gain when the grass starts to grow.

2. Avoid rugging unnecessarily

Horses do not get cold as quickly as we do and over-rugging an obese horse will prevent them from losing weight. Preventing the natural winter weight loss interferes with your horse’s hormones and they are much more likely to get laminitis in the spring.

Here’s some more information about when horses feel the cold and our rugging guide for every temperature.

3. Restrict grazing

There is more nutrition in pasture and forage that you might realise, warns Karen.

“That must be factored in, which might sound obvious, but is so crucial,” she says.

Ensuring your horse isn’t overeating is a key part of losing and then maintaining weight, and there are a number of ways to do this. It’s important that horses still consume at least 1.5% of their bodyweight each day to keep their gut healthy, so much of this is advice is about extending their eating time to make the same amount last longer, rather than simply eating less.

Here are four options to restrict grazing – you might find that incorporating a combination of these will give the best effect.

4. Reduce turnout

Keeping your horse in a stable or turnout pen for part of the day will reduce their access to grass and allow you to control what they’re eating within that time.

Being turned out at night and in during the day is preferable to the reverse as there are less sugars in the grass at night. They begin to rise again around 10am, so ensure your horse comes in before then.

5. Strip graze

Strip grazing gives your horse access to a fresh strip or area of grass each day (or every time you move the fence), and using a follow fence will allow you to rest your pasture once it’s been grazed, too. You’ll need electric fencing to set this up successfully.

6. Implement a track system

A track system usually runs around the perimeter of a field, with water and hay distributed at various points along it to encourage your horse to move.

They often include a variety of surfaces and obstacles, such as small logs, for your horse to negotiate. Many tracks are entirely grass-free, but hay is usually provided ad-lib and horses learn to self-regulate their intake.

7. Invest in a grazing muzzle

The best grazing muzzles slow your horse’s intake by reducing the amount of grass they can access at one time. Horses cannot wear a grazing muzzle 24/7, so to successfully incorporate this into your management routine, your horse will also need to be stabled or turned out in a bare paddock with hay for some of the day.

8. Extend eating time

Use one of the best small-holed haynets or slow feeders to extend eating time. This can help prevent horses becoming bored and reduces the risk of gastric ulcers. And the more time they spend eating one thing, the less time they have to move on and eat something else.

9. Count daily poos

A great way to keep an eye on your horses’ intake – even if you’re not trying to get them to lose weight – is to count their droppings. It can be hard to tell how quickly the grass is coming through and how much they’re really eating, but if you poo-pick at regular intervals, you’ll soon notice if their daily output increases. You can then adjust their intake – by reducing hay provision or grazing access – accordingly.

10. Soak your hay

Soaking hay reduces the nutrient quality in the forage (replace the nutrients using a vitamin and mineral supplement). It strips the hay of calories, sugars and fructans, so that you can still feed a good amount to fill your horse and keep his digestive system working well without giving him any extra calories.

You need to soak hay for at least an hour, but if this is not resulting in weight loss then try soaking for longer until it does. Soaking for short periods, such as 10–15 minutes, only reduces the dust levels to help horses with poor respiratory health – it’s not long enough for weight loss.

When soaking hay:

• soak it in the shade
• use fresh water each time
• balance a bucket of water on top to keep hay submerged
• ensure the soaked hay still smells good
• hang it up to drain and rinse with a bucket of fresh water
• always feed straight after draining

11. Eliminate high-calorie feeds

Consider what you’re feeding your horse and whether you need to rethink. Not all horses need a bucket feet, but for those that do there may be a better option. For example, the best feed balancers provide the essential nutrients in a low-calorie package. If your horse is prone to laminitis, check out the feeds suitable for laminitics, as approved by The Laminitis Trust.

If you’re restricting your horse’s grazing and/or soaking hay, you should provide a supplement for horses on reduced grazing to ensure they receive a nutritionally balanced diet, unless you’ve already covered all bases with a balancer.

Introduce any changes gradually to prevent colic or dangerously rapid weight loss.

12. Change up your forage

Consider changing to a different type of forage if your current selection is high energy. For example, if you feed haylage try switching to hay, and if you feed hay consider adding straw to your horse’s ration.

13. Weigh everything you feed

A little bit extra here and there can really add up if you’re unknowingly feeding more than you intend – it’s so easy to put more in your haynet than you had accounted for. By weighing your feed and forage, you can be sure that your horse is getting exactly what he needs, and you’ll be able to accurately assess the difference made when you increase or decrease feed or forage by small amounts.

Here’s some more information about how much hay to feed a horse.

14. Avoid treats

Don’t give your horse treats for the sake of it – and make sure no one else does, either – as everything adds up. The same logic applies to allowing your horse to snack on his way in from the field or out on a hack.

If you use treats in training, ensure you’re using a super-low-energy option.

15. Increase exercise

You don’t need to be doing super-intense training, but increase the frequency or intensity of your sessions, or both if appropriate. Ask your vet or a trainer for advice if you’re unsure what you should be doing.

My pony only really hacks, but I’ve found that committing to hacking five days a week during the spring and summer months has made a real difference. On days that you’re really pushed for time, remember that a 25-minute brisk walk or quick schooling session is better than nothing at all.

If your horse is retired, consider other ways you can increase their movement, such as a track system, groundwork or walking in hand.

16. Monitor weight

Monitor your horse’s weight by regularly reviewing your weight loss programme with your vet or nutritionist. Use a weighbridge for accuracy and then assess and record weight weekly using body condition scoring and a weight tape (like this one on Amazon).

“Having something concrete as a measure is useful,” says Karen.

I also like to feel my horse’s neck each day as that’s usually the first place I will notice a difference.

It’s useful to take regular photos – once a fortnight – of your horse standing square so that you can look back on how far you’ve come.

17. Ask for help

If you’re implementing these tips and still struggling or are not sure where to start, Karen recommends seeking “proper dietary advice from your vet or a trained nutritionist”.

She adds that many large feed companies are really helpful in providing sensible advice free of charge, with no obligation to purchase products.

What to do next

Use these tips alongside personalised professional advice to make a weight loss plan for your horse, aiming for steady and consistent loss. Once you’ve decided how you’re going to tackle it, begin by checking your horse’s weight so you have a start point for monitoring.

If you don’t see a change in the first two weeks, tweak your plan to incorporate more tactics to safely reduce intake and increase movement.

• For unlimited access to advice on how best to care for your horse, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

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The best grazing muzzles can be a highly beneficial tool for managing good-doers. They can be worn by all types of horses and, if used correctly, they can really help to reduce your horse’s grazing intake if you need to help your horse lose weight in order to prevent obesity and laminitis.

There are a variety of grazing muzzle styles available – some muzzles are attached directly to a field-safe headcollar, while others are all-inclusive and come as one piece. Finding a muzzle that works for your horse can make a real difference, so we’ve rounded up the options available and put some to the test.

Best grazing muzzles: H&H’s quick guide

Best grazing muzzle: LeMieux Noma grazing muzzle

Best grazing muzzle for big horses: Thinline Flexible Filly grazing muzzle

Best grazing muzzle tiny ponies: Best Friend Deluxe grazing muzzle

Best grazing muzzles: what are your options?

This muzzle has an adjustable leather headpiece, soft webbing straps and a leadrope ring. The Ultimate Muzzle has been made higher at the front to prevent the horse from removing it. It has large nostril holes for ease of breathing, and a rubber base with one rectangular grazing hole.

Why do horses wear grazing muzzles?

Grazing muzzles are used to restrict grass intake, while allowing your horse to benefit from turnout. They are usually used in conjunction with other measures, such as strip grazing, as part of a weight loss or maintenance plan to protect against equine obesity and other associated problems, such as laminitis. They do not prevent a horse from eating.

How long should a horse wear a grazing muzzle?

Grazing muzzles should not be left on 24/7. It’s not recommended that they’re worn for more than 10–12 hours each day, but it’s important to remember that during muzzle-free hours your horse’s grazing or access to forage should be restricted to avoid compensatory eating.

Do grazing muzzles work?

Research studies have found that grazing muzzles can reduce grass intake significantly – one study found a 79% reduction over a three hour period. Another study that looked at muzzle use over 10 hours, combined with 14 hours of un-muzzled turnout, and found that weight gain was reduced over a three-week period in most ponies.

Other scientists in Minnesota studied four horses grazing in four separate paddocks, each planted with a single grass species. The study, published in 2014, found there was no difference in the quantities of each grass species that the horses could consume through the muzzle. Wearing the muzzle reduced the horses’ dry matter intake by an average of about 30%.

How to introduce a grazing muzzle

It’s important to introduce a grazing muzzle slowly and to make it a positive experience for your horse. How long it takes for your horse to be accustomed to it will depend on his temperament and prior handling experience.

The National Equine Welfare Council recommends the following steps…

• Begin by training your horse to accept the muzzle near his face and then around his nose. Reward relaxed and calm behaviour.
• When your horse is accepting, do the muzzle up, leave it on for a few moments and provide a low-calorie treat reward through the muzzle.
• Increase the amount of time your horse is wearing the muzzle from seconds to minutes. Graze your horse in-hand to encourage him to try eating with the muzzle on.
• Increase the supervised time that your horse wears the muzzle before turning him out with it on. Make sure he is grazing comfortably and is able to drink easily.

Tips for successfully using a grazing muzzle

• Take time to introduce your horse to the muzzle
• Ensure you’ve fitted the muzzle correctly – most come with fitting advice
• Fence off any potential hazards where the muzzle could become caught
• Monitor your horse’s weight weekly and conduct a body condition score assessment at least every 2–4 weeks
• Check for rubbing daily – common areas include on the poll, behind the ears, top of the muzzle, lips, cheek bones and under the chin
• Ensure your horse’s grazing is restricted when he is not wearing the muzzle to avoid compensatory eating. Common options include stabling or putting him in a bare paddock with soaked hay during this time
• Check that your horse can manage to eat the grass in his field – grazing that is too long or too short can be difficult to eat through a muzzle

How do you keep a grazing muzzle on?

Firstly, make sure your muzzle is fitted correctly. Too tight and your horse may experience discomfort and put more effort into getting it off, but too loose and it’ll be easy to get off. Some owners swear by plaiting the forelock around the headpiece to hold it on, while others loop it through the ear holes of a fly rug. Some horses are particularly efficient muzzle removers, so it might take a bit of trial and error but perseverance is key.

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Unlike the typical bucket-style grazing muzzles, the ThinLine Flexible Filly Grazing Muzzle has been developed with horse owner feedback and so features in our guide to the best grazing muzzles.

It is designed to help slow down speedy eaters, limiting grazing, and can also be used to help curb minor cribbing problems. It’s made of a durable and pliable mould-resistant material that is soft on the teeth and lips, is UV resistant and an adjustable grazing hole size.

My first impressions of the Thinline Flexible Filly

With my past unsuccessful experiences of traditional grazing muzzles, I was looking forward to testing this one with its unique design and materials. I had expected a more rigid plastic construction, but as it’s name suggests it is actually quite flexible.

It has eight attachment points that are connected to the headcollar with cable ties – I found the initial fitting fiddly to begin with, but the fit is very important to prevent your horse eating out the side. Once it’s fitted to a field-safe headcollar, however, that’s it ready to go.

This is the only muzzle my horse has not walked away from when I’ve gone to put it on.

Test Horse

This muzzle was tested on Sekonda – a 17.2hh Irish Draught with a chunky head – and he wears an extra-full size headcollar. Sekonda has worn a muzzle previously, but due to it rubbing under his chin we had to stop. While testing this muzzle, he has been wearing it everyday for 8–10 hours.

Fit

I tried the Thinline Flexible Filly grazing muzzle in a large size with a 3.5cm grazing hole. Unfortunately the ThinLine Flexible Field Safe headcollar, which is recommended to be paired with this muzzle due to the strategically placed keepers for easy attachment, was too small, so I paired the muzzle with a leather headcollar instead.

The initial fitting was fiddly – the muzzle comes with a set a paper ties so you can temporally get the correct fit before attaching the plastic cable ties. I would suggest having a few spare plastic ones at the stables incase replacements are needed. Overall, I am happy with the fit and like how you can see the horse eating clearly when they’re wearing it.

I have noticed Sekonda is not fussing when I go to put this grazing muzzle on as he has previously been with others, which suggests to me that he’s happy and comfortable when wearing it. He drinks from the trough as normal and it enables him to live out with his herd.

Performance

Using the muzzle since last year regularly along with consistent exercise I have managed to keep the weight off Sekonda. The open sides prevent the build up of dirt in the bottom, which I have struggled with in the past.

He has a pale-skinned nose but he did not suffer from sunburn when using the muzzle in combination with one of the best suncreams for horses. He has been trying to rub it on his front legs, but it hasn’t come off.

What really stands out for me is the comfort. After regular wear, there have been no signs of rubbing, which we have struggled with when using the bucket style all-in-one muzzles.

The durability has also been good. Despite daily use last summer, it’s showing minimal signs of wear. It’s easy to clean but it’s worth knowing that the material doesn’t stay clear.

It states its machine washable in a net bag on cold wash with detergent and a teaspoon of bleach. I have not done this as I would need to remove it from the leather headcollar and then refit all the cable ties after. I have just been washing it off as and when needed.

Overall I’d highly recommend the Thinline grazing muzzle, especially if you are struggling to find a good fit without any rubbing.

Verdict

*H&H Approved* – This reliable, well-designed muzzle has improved my horse’s quality of life. By enabling him to wear it comfortably and regularly, he can happily remain in the field with his herd while his weight is effectively managed. It’s the only one I’ve found big enough to fit my horse’s large head, while offering plenty of ventilation. It’s really worth the initial investment.

• For unlimited access to the latest product news, buying guides and reviews, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

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Princess Royal is supportive of a scheme designed to combat equine obesity in showing – as more horses and ponies than ever before are to be involved.

Princess Anne is patron of The Horse Trust, whose Weigh to Win scheme, for which special awards are given to the horse or pony in the healthiest body condition in certain showing classes, has been running for six years.

She attended a training day run by the charity, at which she and others including vets, riders, judges and representatives of showing societies heard more about the adverse effects of obesity. Guests were given demonstrations of body condition scoring, weighbridge and weigh tape use and ultrasound scanning of fatty deposits.

“The Princess Royal spoke with many of the guests about their involvement with Weigh to Win and reflected on the challenge of keeping horses at a healthy weight, sharing some of her own experiences and anecdotes,” a Horse Trust spokesperson said. “Her Royal Highness, as patron of the charity, was enthusiastic about its positive impact and thanked the delegates for their support in driving the awards forward.”

The initiative came about after a conversation at the British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) Congress inspired Horse Trust CEO Jeanette Allen to rethink the way equine obesity is addressed.

“I thought, if society is recognising a higher body condition score is OK, how do we shift that?” she said. “It occurred to me that we should stop chastising people for the wrong thing and start rewarding them for doing the right thing.” The Horse Trust funded Tamzin Furtado’s PhD on managing equine obesity, which led to the 2019 pilot of the awards.

Behaviour change

Horse Trust head of research and policy Jan Rogers said the team recognised that excess equine weight had become normal, especially in showing, so worked with the University of Liverpool and BEVA and “introduced a hefty dose of behaviour change science to help us figure out how we could make this work”.

Ms Rogers told H&H: “We’re engaging with all sorts of governing bodies through the Showing Council, giving the rosettes in the ring. People scan the back of the rosette and tell us about their win.

“We offer training to all the showing bodies, we’ve inspired a couple of other countries to take it on board; Canada and New Zealand, and the scheme won BEVA’s equine welfare award last year. And it’s so simple to take part.”

The scheme is growing; 47 shows ran the awards last year and 354 rosettes were given out. So far in 2025, 54 shows were completed or confirmed before July, seven were yet to finalise and 288 rosettes had been given out.

“The message to horse owners is that when you do right by your horse, you will be recognised for that, and rewarded,” Ms Allen said. “And it’s to encourage them to keep going, keep trying, keep putting their horses’ health and welfare first. It’s been so exciting to see it gather momentum.

“[The Princess’s visit] was such a great success; judges, vets, show organisers, so many influential people from the showing world, and to hear them talk about how pleased they are that they’ve adopted the programme is really encouraging. It was lovely having Her Royal Highness come to learn more about the process.”

Hickstead showing director David Ingle added that to have Princess Anne’s support is “so significant for a project like the Weigh to Win”.

This year’s Weigh to Win equine weight forum takes place at Hickstead during Royal International (22-27 July), at which there will be “hot topics” up for discussion.

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news from major shows throughout 2025, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

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Concern some top eventers at Badminton were too thin or under-muscled may show how common overweight horses are, it has been proposed, as people are reminded that fitness can have many faces.

In the wake of this year’s CCI5* at Mars Badminton Horse Trials (8–11 May), numerous people posted pictures of horses on social media claiming they were underweight or had atrophied muscles. But, as H&H has previously reported, equine obesity is so common, it can mean people’s view of “normal” weight has been distorted, so horses who are lean and fit may be seen as too thin.

Clare MacLeod, an independent equine nutritionist with more than 20 years’ experience, said: “I’ve been disappointed about some of the awful comments flying around Facebook by people who don’t understand the appropriate body composition of an event horse. Horses lay down fat along their topline, so when they have low body fat, they can, to the amateur eye, look under-muscled, when in fact they are not.

“Some of the owners I work with worry that their horses are too thin but I think that’s because generally we’re used to seeing slightly – or significantly – overweight horses.”

Ms MacLeod told H&H she posted about the issue on her social media as she was concerned the original posts, and misinformation on the topic, could be shared widely.

“I think that’s what happened here,” she said. “Everyone got excited and started sharing these posts as if they were true. I’m passionate about getting real evidence-based information out there, and these posts were just wrong. The danger of social media is if something gets talked about enough, people start believing it’s real, which is concerning.”

Ms MacLeod noted that each horse is an individual, but said it is worth some amateur owners looking at more top-level fit horses to understand what they look like.

“The other thing that concerned me about these posts is that I didn’t see much of other people saying, ‘This is what those horses do look like,’” she said. “We’ve now got research showing that many owners find it hard to assess horses’ body fat and our view of ‘normal’ is changed by what we see.

“There were also some bodyworkers and saddle fitters talking about atrophied muscle, but I think they may not be used to working with very slim, fit horses, and it’s a misunderstanding of the sport. There’s a reason those horses are so slim, and it’s a good reason.”

British Equine Veterinary Association veterinary projects officer Lucy Grieve pointed out that as with human athletes, top horses’ body shapes and composition can vary, and that static photos can “give an impression of shape that is at odds with the reality”.

“Given that an event horse is training for three disciplines there will likely be a broader range of morphologies among them, which may become exaggerated as you observe them through the levels,” she told H&H.

“At the elite end of the sport there will be horses demonstrating relative strengths and weaknesses in all aspects of their physiology, as this is what any sport and competition is about – no two are the same. Just as us humans know, some will gain muscle mass more easily in different places, and some may demonstrate a variable reduction in redistribution of muscle with increasing fitness.

“Where there is noticeably reduced muscle mass we should always ask why… is it pain, neurological, poor training, genetics, previous injury, individual variation – or does that difference in fact constitute a competitive advantage to that individual in some way when performing one of the many tasks involved?

“Given that the morphology of elite event horses is fairly consistent across the board, it would suggest that those nuances we see compared to horses in other disciplines are likely a product of the characteristics favoured by the activities they do.”

Former Badminton winner Andrew Nicholson noted, and welcomed the fact, that many horses at Badminton this year were “fitter and leaner than previously” (opinion, 29 May).

“Fitness was much discussed at the FEI Eventing Forum in January, and it appears that the message has been received and acted on,” he said.

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news from major shows throughout 2025, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

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A new study has provided evidence and backed up previous thinking on the benefits of track systems for equine weight management.

HorseWorld and Hartpury University have published a peer-reviewed paper in scientific journal Animals looking at the impact of different grazing strategies on managing equine obesity.

The work was carried out at HorseWorld in Bristol, where 19 horses, “all susceptible to excessive weight gain”, were observed either on a track or on a traditional paddock, both designed to restrict grass intake. Welfare indicators including hoof health, bodyweight, body condition score and behavioural measures were monitored.

The key findings were that between July and September the horses kept on the track lost an average of 3.4% of their initial bodyweight, compared to those on the paddock, who gained an average of 1.5% of their bodyweight. The body condition score (BCS) did not show significant changes between the groups, suggesting that BCS “may not be sensitive enough to detect subtle equine bodyweight changes”.

The researchers concluded that the study found “clear evidence that horses susceptible to gaining weight in the summer can be managed effectively utilising track grazing systems; reducing bodyweight during a summer season while maintaining hoof health and general welfare”.

HorseWorld head of equine welfare Sarah Hollister told H&H HorseWorld has been using track systems since 2013.

“Anecdotally we know that track systems are good for helping horses with weight management and we’ve seen positive results in our horses, but we wanted to get some evidence to tie in with our strategy of using evidence-based methods,” she said, adding that no negative behaviours were observed from the horses on the track system during the study.

“It’s not just about weight loss, tracks can be used to provide environmental enrichment, too. Instead of a small square paddock, when you make a longer track you can spread their food and resources out so they’ve got to go and look for it and move around.”

Ms Hollister hopes that by having evidence to back up what has previously been thought about tracks, more people will be open to trying them.

“Equine obesity is probably the biggest problem in the equine world in the UK, and the secondary issues that being obese for a long time can create can have a lifelong negative impact and can even be life-threatening,” she said.

“The results show that there are benefits from a track and some horses thrive on it. While it isn’t going to suit everybody’s set-up, if it can improve your horse’s wellbeing, it’s worth giving it a go.”

Hartpury University senior lecturer Lorna Cameron, who worked on the project, told H&H the work was about “answering the questions that need to be answered”.

“To be able to answer questions the industry wants answered is a really important thing in equine welfare research at the moment,” she said.

“There are lots of people interested in utilising a track system, but the evidence has been thin on the ground, probably because of how much it would cost to set up a track system as a controlled experiment, so we felt lucky that HorseWorld asked us to collaborate on this.”

Ms Cameron added that what works for one horse may not work for another, and said it is important to take advice from professionals such as the vet and farrier.

“It’s very much about the individual horse, no one thing works for every horse, but our findings suggest that track grazing systems can effectively help manage bodyweight in horses prone to obesity, while maintaining their health and welfare,” she said.

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The glossy coats and gleaming tack of the show ring can often disguise a troubling truth: obesity in show horses remains a significant and ongoing welfare concern.

But as the industry becomes more educated and proactive, there are encouraging signs of change. Judges, producers, and vets are joining forces to reshape what “show condition” really means, prioritising fitness over fat.

The influence of the judge’s eye

Showing judges have long shaped what competitors view as “ideal condition”. For years, a little extra coverage was wrongly equated with good-doing, prosperity, or knowledgeable feeding.

Today’s leading judges are trained to assess body condition more critically, with most of the societies incorporating talks and advice about healthy body scoring into their annual conferences. Overweight horses are being dropped down the line, and, importantly, owners are being told why.

Dr Lucy Penrose, a veterinary surgeon who also sits on the British Show Horse Association judging panel, believes this shift is gathering pace.

“We’re not where we need to be yet, but attitudes are changing towards obesity in show horses,” she says.

“It’s becoming more common to see horses dropped in the line-up for being obese. We’re beginning to judge it like any other conformation fault”

Yet the task isn’t always simple.

Paul Cook, British Show Pony Society chairman, explains: “In the ring, you’re judging the animal in front of you on overall quality. Sometimes you’re weighing up a horse that’s slightly overweight against another with a splint or windgall.

“Judging is not black and white. Social media often freezes the moment, showing a bigger animal at the top of the line-up, but doesn’t give the full picture of how anything else went or how they stripped in conformation.”

Leading showing figure Stuart Hollings agrees.

“Showing is subjective,” he says. “But transparency is key. If weight is a concern, it’s important to say so. That’s how we help exhibitors learn, not feel judged themselves.”

A shift in standards towards obesity in show horses

Today, welfare is at the forefront of the equestrian world, as it should be. Concerns about soundness, laminitis, insulin resistance, and shortened careers have reframed what success looks like.

Show producer and breeder Garry Merton has witnessed this transformation.

“I do believe the University of Liverpool’s work on body condition scoring is making a mark,” he says.

“It’s now widely accepted as a strong initiative, and I’ve seen real physical differences in top producers’ horses, especially hunters and riding horses.

Garry adds: “The Horse Trust’s scheme, The Weigh to Win, is great. I have also seen feed companies with weighbridges giving advice at championship shows.

“The biggest driver will be seeing fit horses at the top of the line-up, winning both the class and the healthy condition award.”

#WeighToWin: reframing success

Launched in 2019 by The Horse Trust, the #WeighToWin initiative rewards horses that are fit, not fat, assessed by trained judges using a simple, practical five-point body condition scoring system, where a score of three is considered ideal.

These green-and-gold rosettes, now awarded at around 40 major UK shows, come with a QR code linking to educational resources and encourage winners to share their experiences and inspire others.

Jan Rogers, director of research and policy at The Horse Trust, says: “The awards reward success in promoting a positive equine body condition.

“From 24 shows when it started in 2019 to around 40 shows on board now, the Weigh to Win rosettes are really popular.

“This isn’t about penalising those with too much condition, but about providing better information and equipping people with the skills to body score accurately.”

Importantly, it’s not just about the ribbons.

“Our annual forum at Hickstead brings societies together to share ideas and challenges,” Jan adds. “We’re supported by around 40 professionals from the showing world, all committed to making welfare a priority.

“I think the real problem lies with what’s considered ‘normal’ in the show ring. We need to retrain perceptions so that healthy, functional condition becomes the new visual standard.”

Education, not criticism

Promoting healthy weight in the show ring isn’t about public shaming, it’s about quiet support, visibility, and accessible education. That’s especially true for amateur competitors, many of whom look to producers for guidance.

Debbie Speirs, co-ordinator of The Showing Register (TSR), says the problem is far from new, but progress is happening.

“Judges are taking weight into consideration, and competitors are more aware of welfare issues,” she says.

She stresses the need for strong leadership.

“Judges have to be brave and not have the overly obese pony at the top of the line-up, even if it’s the best pony. The message has to be reiterated.

“At TSR, we aim to educate the amateur to be the best they can be. But they look to the pros as role models, so it’s everyone’s responsibility to ensure we’re putting healthy-weight ponies in the ring.

“Welfare has to be the core of showing, and we all have a responsibility to promote the best of our sport.”

Show horse producer Vicky Smith echoes that point. Riding Bling Crosby who stood champion cob at Royal Windsor, they also claimed the Weigh to Win award in the same year.

“As professionals, we need reminding too,” she says.

“Sometimes it takes an external eye, whether that’s a judge, a feed rep, or a vet, to say, ‘your horse is carrying too much’. The key is to be fit, not fat, and suitable for purpose.

“As showing ambassadors, we all have a role to play. The more horses winning the Weigh to Win award at the top of the line-up, keep reinforcing the message that horses don’t have to be fat to win.”

Common misconceptions and the road ahead

One of the most dangerous myths still circulating in the ring is that a “well-covered” horse is a healthy horse. But science says otherwise.

“Fat doesn’t equal fit,” says Dr Lucy Penrose. “Too many people still think condition means success or good feeding. But what we’re seeing in practice is young horses with irreversible damage from being overfed and under-exercised.”

The physical consequences of obesity are well documented. Excess weight contributes to joint stress and inflammation, increases the risk of insulin resistance and laminitis, compromises respiratory function, and can shorten a horse’s working life dramatically.

Still, the message is gaining traction. More judges are confident in body condition scoring. More producers are taking the lead. And more societies are exploring ways to embed healthy condition awards into their structures, not just as a side initiative, but as standard practice.

Fit for purpose

The show ring is evolving. Where once rotundity was mistaken for readiness, now muscle tone, balance, and athleticism are taking centre stage.

It won’t be an overnight transformation in solving obesity in show horses. Changing perceptions takes time, consistency, and collective effort. But momentum is building and every rosette given to a fit, correctly conditioned horse pushes the needle further forward.

It’s no longer just about sparkle and shine. It’s about soundness, longevity and most important: welfare.

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Horses in lush green fields may incorrectly be considered to have a higher body condition score than if they were in a bare paddock – and vice versa – owing to our eyes playing tricks on us.

In a study published in the Equine Veterinary Journal, researchers from the University of Liverpool and the British Horse Society (BHS) aimed to understand whether grass cover of the background environment in which a horse is viewed can influence perception in body condition scoring.

Photographs of 20 horses were taken in their usual fields, then superimposed on a background image of sparse grass and a background of lush grass. More than 150 participants – owners, vets, vet nurses and students and other equestrian professionals – assessed the images and scored the horses’ condition.

“The analysis of data showed that the body condition scores given to horses was significantly higher on the lush pasture than the bare pasture, for both mean and median values,” the researchers concluded.

“Overall, the findings of this research project highlight that background environment has an impact on the visual perception of body condition scoring in horses.”

Lead author Holly Hibberd, a vet student at the University of Liverpool and a rider, told H&H it is important that owners consider their horses’ environment when considering their weight.

“We believe it is to do with visual perception, and it would be interesting to see if this is the case with other species too. The idea is that if they are on a lush pasture, they look like they have more food and it almost tricks your brain into thinking they must be on the bigger side. Whereas if they’re on a pasture with less food, you might think, ‘They must be starving,’ so think they look smaller,” she said.

“We need to be aware that when they’re on different types of pasture, there might be some form of bias. It’s really important that we manage our horses’ weight and we don’t want anything to skew how we look at them.”

Miss Hibberd said future research in this area might look at the differences in body scores when a horse is on a yard or under saddle, to see how scores compare between more environments.

She added that body condition scoring is “very useful” to owners.

“Not everyone has access to a weighbridge, so going off how your horse looks and knowing what a good body condition score looks like is really important. There are lots of websites, including the BHS, that provide guides on how to score body condition.”

A BHS spokesperson told H&H that the society recommends keeping a picture diary of horses’ weight, using the same neutral background for all photos.

“While it is also helpful to keep the environment in mind when looking at our horses, it is vital to do hands-on scoring regularly,” she said.

“We therefore strongly encourage horse owners and carers to continue to use their hands to feel for, and take note of, areas of fat across the horse’s body. It is the best way to capture an accurate score, which is extremely important in order to keep our horses at a healthy weight.”

Read the study abstract

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Judges have to act to help combat equine obesity in the show ring – although “fantastic” progress has been made in turning the tide in this crucial welfare issue.

Representatives of showing organisations and societies, as well as judges, vets and other professionals, met at the Royal International Horse Show on 24 July to discuss the progress of the Weigh to Win scheme.

H&H has reported on the Horse Trust initiative, under which horses and ponies judged to be in the healthiest body condition are given special awards. From small beginnings in 2019, the scheme is now in operation at events from local shows to the top level.

Rachael Holdsworth, who looks after PR for the Weigh to Win scheme, updated all those present on its progress; awards were given at 20 shows in 2023 but 23 this year until the meeting, and at an average 12 classes per show, up from 8.5 last year.

There has also been a training day, at the Horse Trust, at which delegates assessed horses’ body condition scores and looked at ultrasound imaging to see where fat was deposited, and increased use of social media to help spread the word.

Ms Holdsworth said score sheets are assessed, which help give a picture of the situation across the country.

“I believe it’s looking positive – but we need more data,” she said, adding that award winners can also help with this by scanning the QR code on rosettes to input information, background and feedback.

“We get lots of comments from people who really appreciate the award, and really care about the wellbeing of their horses,” she said.

The aim is to keep increasing the number of shows involved and improve communication, ensuring that the scheme’s message is a positive one. A body condition-scoring (BCS) accreditation certificate was suggested, and collaboration and communication is key.

“We know the horse and its wellbeing is our first priority and with the cooperation of everyone, hopefully we can look at a better future,” Ms Holdsworth said.

British Show Pony Society chair Paul Cook said the society had been covering the issue at judges’ and members’ conferences, at which it had been well received. Jan Rogers of the Horse Trust encouraged other societies to follow suit, adding that she and researcher Tamzin Furtado, the drivers behind the scheme, are happy to present live or online.

British Equine Veterinary Association council member Imogen Burrows said she spoke at a Coloured Horse and Pony Society (CHAPS) judges’ conference and ran a BCS workshop.

“It felt a bit like jumping into the fire at times,” she said. “But it was really productive. Interestingly, the most conflict came from the youngest judges; it was interesting to see where some of the myths originated, and it wasn’t the older ones. There was some vehement discussion.”

Mr Cook said judging has changed from his early experience.

“Then, people were from an equestrian background and had much other experience but many judges now, their only experience is showing,” he said. “They haven’t evented or hunted, and come in with a narrow view.”

CHAPS board member Richi Grace asked whether the 0-5 BCS system used was too much as a “one size fits all” method, adding that some horses “generally carry more weight than others”.

But Dr Furtado said: “There is no reason show horses should be fatter and need their own scoring system. It looks at the fat they carry, so you can use the same system for a maxi cob and a thoroughbred. It can be used in any situation, and that’s absolutely what we see in training. We’re trying to change the perception that a show horse has to be fat.”

The issue of some judges saying horses “need more condition” was raised, and the fact that although they may mean more muscle, it can be interpreted as more weight.

Dr Furtado and Ms Rogers said award winners had told them judges had said this, even for young horses.

“Things are moving in the right direction,” Dr Furtado said. “We’re getting fewer judges who want to see fat horses, which is brilliant, and producers’ horses are often winning the awards, so they’re producing them fitter.

“But we have to be careful with language; if a judge means the horse needs more muscle, they need to say that. I’d like organisations to say it’s not acceptable to tell people to put more weight on their horses.”

Judge David Bartram-Lawton added: “We should judge conformation and bone, it doesn’t have to be covered in a lot of flesh. But judges are nervous about putting the fat horse that’s won everything down; unless we educate judges, we’ll have the same fat horses winning everything.

“We as judges are the only ones who can do anything about it. We’re judging conformation and way of going and just because they’re covered in fat, it doesn’t make them better animals.”

Showing Council chair Liz Inman added that the scheme has been “fantastic” but there is “still a long way to go”.

“It’s all about education and communication,” she said.

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Rachel Fraser discovers the benefits of keeping horses on tracks and how to make changes to your set-up without breaking the bank

On a mission to help my horses reach — and stay at — a healthy weight, I came across the ‘Paddock Paradise’ or track system of keeping horses.

The (very) basic principle is to have a track — usually running around the perimeter of a field — with water, hay and supplements distributed at different points along it to ensure horses are motivated to keep moving.

Tracks can include a variety of surfaces, such as hardcore or woodchip, as well as obstacles, small logs for example, for horses to negotiate. Some tracks are entirely grass-free, but hay is usually provided ad-lib so the horse can learn to self-regulate its intake.

A wider area should also be provided along the track for the horses to gather, socialise and lie down.

How tracks can help equine weight loss

Track living has helped Charmaine Walker’s pony (pictured below) lose weight.

She explains: “It had been something I’d been experimenting with for a long time and a few months ago I was lucky enough to be offered my own yard to rent. The landowner is fantastic and was happy for me to have the track.

“I think attitudes towards tracks are changing and the system is gaining traction. It does take some time for those with more traditional set-ups to adjust, but honestly I have seen such a change with my two, I would be sad to go back to full paddock turnout.”

A livery yard using a track system

Lauren, who runs Graveney Equine as a track livery, explains how she came across this alternative horsey set-up: “I originally looked to a track system to help rehabilitate my horse’s hooves. She was only a youngster and had hoof cracks and seedy toe on all four feet when I took her on.

“I stumbled across the concept of barefoot trimming and the trimmer mentioned Paddock Paradise systems, we trialled it with my own horse. It took three months for her feet to be fully recovered and I had seen so many benefits to her temperament that I was so excited to see what else this set-up could achieve.

“We opened Graveney Equine in 2014 when we bought a house with its own land and setting up a track system as opposed to a generic paddock arrangement was a no brainer to me by this point.

“We now have a track of 1km that, after some extension work this summer, will be even longer. We currently have 15 horses but with demand being so high, our improvements will see us creating space for more.

“We have seen some incredible rehabilitation through this system. People often concentrate their focus on hoof health and weight loss but we have dealt with a couple of very challenging behavioural cases and a severe neglect case too.

“Our track system has thrived because it allows horses to be horses. Every time a horse is asked to live outside of its comfort zone of having ‘friends, forage and freedom’, we are putting stress on their system.

“To provide a much more species-appropriate way of living means that our horses can have their physiological and psychological needs met and stand much more chance of being fit mentally and physically.

“The other thing I love about these systems is that the sky is the limit. They develop, morph, adapt and grow as you experiment with what works and what needs improving. To be able to observe behaviour and use those observations to inform your future developments really ignites the perfectionist in me!”

How to set-up a track system without breaking the bank

Grass tracks are a good place to start — surfacing can be expensive or require planning and landowner permission, but a grass track can be set up relatively easily with temporary electric fencing.

Use what you have — if you have hedgerows with horse-friendly plants, incorporate these into your track to offer natural variety to your horse’s diet. Similarly, if your field has a shelter – natural or man-made – make sure your horse can access these on the track.

Obstacles — these can be a fun addition that needn’t cost the earth. If you have branches to cut-down, these can make log poles for your horse to walk or trot over — just make sure there’s a way around the edge if any members of the herd would struggle with polework.

Start small — as Lauren said, the possibilities for tracks to grow and develop over time are endless, so don’t worry about having the ‘perfect’ track from the word go — you can always add to it when you see what works well for your horses.

Do your research — for anyone interested in this alternative style of horse-keeping, ‘Paddock Paradise: A Guide to Natural Horse Boarding’ by Jaime Jackson is a must-read. There are also some very helpful track system groups on Facebook to swap suggestions and share advice with fellow ‘trackies’.

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With rates of obesity thought to be as high as 70% in some populations of ponies, it’s invariably weight loss rather than weight gain that’s needed to keep most of our horses healthy and this means cutting back on the availability of grass to them.

Excess weight can significantly increase the risk of horses and ponies developing laminitis, alongside causing other potential problems ranging from insulin dysfunction to being unable to perform at their best, whether that’s on a relaxing hack or while out competing.

Tips to help you take control of your horse’s weight

1. Use winter wisely every year and allow your horse to lose weight naturally. Being able to see your horse’s ribs is healthy as you enter spring and will give some scope for natural weight gain when the grass starts to grow.

2. Restrict grazing because grass in its growing stages is highly calorific:

• Consider turning out overnight when there is likely to be less water-soluble carbohydrate (WSC sugar and fructan) in the grass, but keep an eye on the amount of time you turn your horse out for as the lower level of WSC may be negated if you are turning them out for 16 hours rather than eight hours during the day
• Strip graze to restrict the amount of accessible grass and consider back fencing to make grazing restriction more effective.
• Consider implementing a track system to reduce grass intake and encourage movement.
• Turn out for longer on sparser paddocks with lower quality grazing rather than on lush pasture for a limited time, to prevent binge eating.
• Try a grazing muzzle remembering to introduce it carefully and not use it for more than 12 hours per day. Ensure it’s worn for the duration of your horse being turned out to avoid compensatory eating once the muzzle has been removed.

3. Assess faecal output daily to check for changes in pasture intake when you have restricted the grazing. The latest research suggests you need to see a decrease of around half to result in weight loss if the horse previously had unrestricted access to pasture.

4. Don’t use rugs unnecessarily – very few horses need them in summer, even if it’s raining! Instead allow your horse to naturally shake off a few pounds by keeping themselves warm, as nature intended.

5. Feed alternative forage to horses and ponies at very high risk of laminitis. Ideally remove them from pasture altogether and feed a suitable forage/short chopped fibre, preferably one of the feeds that has been approved by the Laminitis Trust.

6. Invest in forage analysis to make sure you know the nutrient and WSC content of the hay or haylage you plan to use for your weight loss programme.

7. Weigh forage before feeding having first discussed with your vet the appropriate percentage bodyweight ration your horse needs to promote weight loss (if soaking start with 20% more dry weight as some dry matter will be lost post soaking). Consider using a slow feeder to extend eating time.

8. Increase exercise to a minimum of 25 minutes (including 15 minutes at brisk trot) five times a week to help keep your horse’s waistline in check and support a healthy metabolism.

9. Provide nutritional support to ensure your horse has a balanced diet. The latest research recommends that a low calorie, protein, vitamin and mineral supplement or balancer should always be included in the diet of horses on restricted forage.

10. Monitor your horse’s weight by regularly reviewing your weight loss programme with your vet or nutritionist. Use a weighbridge for accuracy and then assess and record weight weekly using body condition scoring and a weigh tape (like this one on Amazon).

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Happier, healthier horses across the board was the aim of a session held as part of efforts to combat equine obesity in the UK

The Horse Trust hosted the training on 16 April as an extension of the Weigh to Win initiative, which involves giving awards to the horse or pony of the healthiest weight in showing classes across the country.

Attendees took part in interactive sessions, during which they assessed horses’ body condition scores and looked at ultrasound imaging to see where fat was deposited.

The charity’s head of research and policy Jan Rogers told H&H the event went very well, with guests from a range of societies.

“There was really good engagement,” she said, adding that the consensus was that the situation is much improved, but that there is still work to be done.

Ms Rogers said the ultrasound pictures helped convey that fat can be present and doing damage even if not visible. Delegates saw horses’ weight assessed via a tape and weighbridge, so they could see what those values looked like.

“You can use those to monitor weight changes but they don’t show where the areas of concern are,” she said, adding that the group then assessed various horses using body condition scoring, including some who were not as they seemed.

“We’ve got a retired service horse who’s a French draught, and the breed characteristically has a short neck, deep body and great depth of girth so you look and think she’s huge,” she said.

“But when you get your hands on her, you realise she’s not as big as you thought. Then we had a new intake who looks very shiny and healthy but actually has a higher body condition score, which you see when you put your hands on him and look at the fat distribution. People were amazed by the difference in what the eye sees and what’s there. It was quite eye-opening.”

Guests heard presentations on the health issues excess weight can cause, such as laminitis and strain on joints, and about the importance of language.

“It’s very easy to turn people off so it’s about finding the language that conveys the seriousness of the issue, doesn’t belittle it, but doesn’t give offence either,” Ms Rogers said. “It needs to be collaborative language, not singling people out as it’s a community problem and we all need to work on it together.”

In a group discussion that followed, Ms Rogers said “everyone agreed things have improved but there’s more to do”.

“We’ve come to normalise a high body condition score and for equine wellbeing to be improved, we need to renormalise a healthy weight,” she said. “Suggestions included some breed societies maybe incorporating some of this work in their conferences, and it was acknowledged that everyone can play a part.

“Judges and stewards can’t do it alone, vets and researchers can’t do it alone; societies and participants need to come together to help bring about positive change to horses’ wellbeing – and it’s not just showing.”

Event manager Betsy Branyan, who works on shows including the Royal Three Counties and Equifest, told H&H the training was very useful.

“It needs to be very central; one person, or one society, won’t change things alone,” she said. “My feeling is that things have got worse since judges haven’t been able to touch the animals; in showing sheep or cattle, they are felt by the judge but with horses, it isn’t part of the process, so you can’t have a real assessment of body condition, so maybe it should be part of the assessment.

“I’d love to see, not poking or prodding but something everyone can see, then the judge can say, ‘I love your horse but it’s carrying a bit too much condition.’ I think it’s worth considering.”

British Show Pony Society (BSPS) chairman Paul Cook told H&H he attended as “this is an important issue for the society”, and one that has been addressed at the BSPS judges’ conference. The BSPS has body condition scoring at its championships.

“Welfare is a critical area to be addressed, not just because it is the right thing to do, but because showing is in the public eye, with spectators, all our shows live-streamed and pictures on social media,” he said. “We need to keep moving forward and address this issue.

“We have appointed a British Horse Society welfare officer to our team, and body condition scoring forms one part of a wider welfare strategy and objectives for the BSPS in 2024. This includes how animals are looked after when staying away at our shows, how they are exercised and by whom and in lorry parks.

“This year Jan [Rogers] also presented to our members’ conference, which was well received.”

Mr Cook added that the animal in the healthiest condition may not win a class as it may not be the best; but it is one of many things judges must consider.

“My view is the next step is to widen the reach, as we often speak to the converted,” he said. “Engagement of our membership and producers and trainers across the industry, perhaps through The Showing Council is the next step.

“My ask is that this is within a wider welfare discussion, so members don’t see this as a one-issue problem, when we have other welfare issues to educate members on. We must however recognise the wider and sometimes devastating effects on an animal’s health if they are undernourished or obese.

“We also know this is not just a showing issue; it is a problem across the board.”

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Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Weight tapes can give readings up to 20% off, a study has found, and generally underestimate equine bodyweight, causing concerns about obesity.

Feed manufacturer Dengie carried out the preliminary study comparing accuracy of three weight tapes and comparing values to weighbridge readings. The initial finding is that values vary by 20% or more, “generally underestimating bodyweight, especially on bigger horses”.

In a survey of 650 people in 2021, Dengie found that 72% used weight tapes on their horses.

“Regular monitoring is important as part of a weight management plan to help horse owners track changes in their horses’ bodyweight,” a Dengie spokesman said. “If tapes are generally underestimating a horse’s weight it may well be contributing to the difficulties horse owners have in recognising obesity, which is why Dengie wanted to explore this area further.”

For the study, the team looked at 29 horses, from 13hh to 17.2hh with body condition scores of between 2.5 and 4.5 on the five-point scale.

“Larger horses tended to be underestimated to a greater extent than ponies, with the biggest difference recorded for a 17.2hh mare who was 138kg less on one weight tape reading compared to the weighbridge, a 21% difference,” the spokesman said. “The closest weight tape reading was still 104kg less than her actual bodyweight.”

Overestimation of weight was less common; only five readings were greater than the actual value. This was in line with the results of a 2023 study by Grimwood et al, which used only one weight tape.

“Different tapes were found to vary by up to 10% in their readings for the same horse at the same time, which would equate to a difference of 50kg for a 500kg horse,” the Dengie spokesman said. “Although the study was done on a relatively small scale, it provides further support for the importance of horse owners using the same tape every time when monitoring changes in bodyweight.”

Further work is planned, especially looking at accuracy of tapes for those that are overweight.

Katie Williams, technical and product development manager at Dengie, told H&H: “The key takeaway from the results we have so far is that a weight tape is likely to underestimate your horse’s weight, especially if you have a large horse. Weight taping is still worthwhile in relation to weight management as the relative changes provide valuable insight as to whether they are gaining or losing weight.

“If you have a really large horse, bear in mind that the tape might be underestimating them significantly enough to have an effect when determining how much to feed or using a wormer. If you can, use a weighbridge and compare to your tape so you can see how far out it is. Seek advice from relevant professionals if you suspect your tape might not be accurate.”

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Lean horses could be at as much risk of laminitis as their fat counterparts, research has found.

The study, led by Marine Barnabé in association with Spillers, looked at adiponectin, a hormone coming from fat deposits, and its relationship with obesity.

Adiponectin is thought to improve sensitivity to insulin, and previous work by the brand and its associates has shown that low blood concentrations of adiponectin reflect an increased risk of laminitis. Lower levels of it have been found in obese horses, but this study found this can also be the case in lean native ponies.

“This work supports earlier research, conducted in collaboration with the Spillers brand, which showed that severe insulin dysregulation can also be found in lean ponies,” a spokesman for Spillers said. “Collectively, the work confirms that lean ponies can also be at higher risk of metabolic disease and associated laminitis.”

For the study, adiponectin levels were compared in 734 native ponies of different body condition scores, breeds and body shapes, with and without history of laminitis.

“This study together with our previous work has provided us with the important take-home message that you cannot presume that just because your horse or pony is lean or of ideal bodyweight it is automatically at reduced risk,” said Sarah Nelson, product manager at Mars Horsecare, which owns Spillers.

“They may still have insulin dysregulation and/or low adiponectin concentrations and so be at an increased risk of laminitis. If you are concerned it is important to speak to your vet and have your horse or pony tested. It’s also advisable to contact your nutrition advisor to ensure you provide the best diet to manage your individual.”

The study also found a significant difference in adiponectin levels between ponies of different body shapes. The middle-heavy shape was associated with higher levels, suggesting that this fat accumulation pattern may be less detrimental in ponies, although the team said more work is needed to investigate these findings.

“Understanding the modifiable factors associated with total adiponectin concentrations may help to identify targets for preventive or therapeutic intervention, with the goal of reducing the development of endocrinopathic laminitis in at-risk horses and ponies,” said Ms Barnabé.

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Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

“Dilemmas” around turnout, euthanasia and restrictive grazing have come under discussion by experts as they navigate what “good welfare” really means.

At the British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) Congress (13–16 September), animal welfare specialist Madeleine Campbell chaired a panel discussion comprising vets Imogen Burrows, Becky Smith and Isabella Wild, and animal welfare researcher Jo Hockenhull, to tackle the theme: “Good health or good welfare? Why can’t we agree what good welfare means?”

Professor Campbell opened the discussion by highlighting that in vets’ everyday working lives, they come up against “welfare dilemmas”, and one current issue is that there are numerous definitions of welfare, and debate on whether there is a difference between welfare and wellbeing.

The aim of the session was to discuss how a lack of agreement on what good welfare means can affect vets’ ability to serve the best interests of horses under their care – and vets and nurses in their daily practice.

The panellists presented case studies during which they considered the difference between health and welfare, and the moral decisions involved in each.

One was a horse with a history of laminitis, who was kept on restricted grazing with no animal companionship. From a health perspective, the horse was deemed to be doing well as he had had no recent laminitic episodes, but the question arose whether keeping him alone was good for his welfare.

“Welfare is not just that physical state,” said Dr Hockenhull, researcher at the Bristol Veterinary School. “I’d be thinking what effect is the restriction on that pony’s diet having on its mental wellbeing, and desire to perform behaviours such as foraging.

“The other concern I’d have would be relating to his social life; not only is he the only horse on that property, he can’t see or hear any other horses, which raises massive concerns for a social species kept in that level of isolation.”

Another case study opened the floor for debate on palliative care for horses, and whether it is reasonable for vets to give this when it is known that the end point is euthanasia. An example was provided of giving an owner a couple of days to come to terms with a euthanasia decision.

“Do we have responsibility towards owners as well, to enable them to have some time to come round to what’s going on, or should we be euthanising the animal there and then?,” asked Professor Campbell.

The topic of giving horses “one last summer” was raised and the ethics surrounding this.

“We see it all the time when owners say, ‘Can we have one last summer?’ So we’re providing palliative care to the arthritic horse by putting them on bute until the mud kicks in,” one attendee said. “But is that right? The horse is lame, sore, and just in the same way we’d pop a paracetamol, we’re saying it’s fine, carry on – and when the mud kicks in, we’ll put them to sleep.”

Imogen Burrows, who chairs the BEVA ethics and welfare committee, said she had dealt with a case where the owner of an ataxic horse felt pressure from others on their yard to delay euthanasia.

“Why do we have this thing of one last summer? If this issue happened in October, would we wait until the following September?,” said Dr Burrows.

“We have a job to go in and assess that horse, and we have to remember we are assessing the welfare of that horse as to whether that summer is worth it.”

A hypothetical case study looked at a high-level competition stallion given one hour of turnout per day, and the welfare concerns attached to this.

Many attendees had dealt with similar cases where owners raised concerns about the risk of competition horses’ injuring themselves in field accidents, and it was agreed that giving these owners positive examples of studs and riders that regularly turn out horses, such as Carl Hester and William Whitaker, can be beneficial.

“There’s some amazing stuff going on, but it never gets shouted about and people aren’t hearing that it can be done, and done well. These horses are still performing at a high level, but their basic needs are being met,” said Dr Hockenhull.

“It’s having that evidence and these people telling their stories, whether they are an influencer or a big name in the sport, and the more we can drip-feed from different levels and have that evidence to tell people about, the better it’s going to be.”

A recurring message was the usefulness of objective frameworks and measurement systems, such as the five domains system, and quality of life assessment tools, to help vets have difficult discussions with owners and clients.

“Having these frameworks, whether it’s the domain models, pain score models, or whatever it is, helps with engaging that conversation and not making people feel judged and they know we’re trying to optimise everything and work together,” said Dr Burrows. “To align health and welfare is a really hard juggle, but by opening the doors to the conversation it’s the best we can do.”

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Vets can play a key role in changing owners’ behaviour around equine welfare decisions.

Human behaviour change was one of the key topics at the British Equine Veterinary Association’s Congress (13-16 September), during which Sarah Freeman of the University of Nottingham gave a plenary lecture on “Changing hearts and minds”.

Professor Freeman highlighted key equine welfare concerns – namely, lack of biosecurity, delayed euthanasia, lack of owner knowledge and welfare needs, fear and stress from use, obesity – and how these can be addressed with a three-step approach: by using evidence-based medicine to determine the best clinical approach; understanding the factors that may influence owner decisions; and looking at how vets share information and improve awareness of welfare issues.

“The most striking thing about these five areas is that as vets we have the knowledge and skills to be able to address these issues, and yet they remain a major problem,” she said.

“The challenge for us as a profession is communicating the importance of these issues and how they should be tackled, to owners and to the wider equine community.”

Professor Freeman told H&H conversations need to take place between vets and owners about where each owner is on their “journey to change” – understanding what the problems and barriers are, such as owners’ finances or past experiences, and then tailoring the conversation for that individual.

“For example, if a vet wants an owner to implement an obesity management system, but the owner doesn’t know how to body condition score, doesn’t recognise that their horse is obese, or doesn’t understand the diseases associated with that, then having a conversation in which they say ‘You need to do this, this and this’, isn’t going to go anywhere,” she said.

“It’s about understanding where people are in terms of readiness to change, what they understand, and making sure the conversations are at the right level.”

Professor Freeman added that there is sometimes a need for owners to be able to discuss the advice they have received from their vet with others.

“Our work in the past looking at where owners get their information found that most of the information comes from their coach, or livery yard owner, and there’s a lot of word-of-mouth information. Sometimes this is great, but sometimes it’s not up to date. But what we can’t do is dismiss it, we have to say ‘What do you know, or what have you heard?’ and talk about it,” she said.

“It’s a cycle of giving information, talking about it, and giving them time to think about it. Maybe the owner needs to go away and talk about it with other people, and look things up. And then you can come back and recycle that conversation.”

During her lecture Professor Freeman said “the art of veterinary science is to deliver the information and evidence of the science without judging an individual’s circumstances or decisions”.

“We need to give them space to question and consider and reach a shared final decision which holds the horse’s health and welfare as the central focus,” she said.

“Changing hearts and minds requires an approach which is based on effective sharing of current and best evidence, listening to the owner’s experiences and concerns, and then working together to make a shared decision.”

World Horse Welfare chief executive Roly Owers told H&H “just having a clear and powerful case for improving equine health and welfare is not necessarily enough” when it comes to changing owners’ behaviour.

“In so many cases it also requires owners to change their behaviour in how they care, manage and train their horses. This is especially true for challenging issues such as equine weight management, biosecurity and delayed euthanasia,” he said.

“There is a rapidly growing research base behind human behaviour change science that as a sector we need to engage with far more effectively. Change is often not easy but if it improves the health and welfare of our horses then it is certainly worth it.”

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Links have been identified between horses’ body condition score and restriction of their airways in a new study that could provide new clues towards equine obesity.

In a study, presented at the British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) Congress (13-16 September), authors from the University of Liverpool investigated the effect of horses’ body condition score on their tongue size, soft palate angle, and hyoid [the bones between the tongue and larynx] depth, as they aimed to understand why some overweight horses make a “train-like sound” during exercise.

The work, carried out by third-year student Hannah Shanks-Boon, involved taking various measurements from the CT scans of 44 horses’ heads and comparing these with their body condition scores. It was found that fat can be seen in the tongue and around the pharynx and larynx areas of horses. Although the size of the tongue did not directly correlate with body condition score, the angle of the soft palate and the depth of hyoid bone could be correlated to body condition score.

Lead author and supervisor Alison Talbot told H&H the study arose following a discussion with a showing society around obesity. The question asked was why obese horses make a noise during exercise. Ms Talbot said there have been studies looking at the impact of body weight on human sleep apnoea, snoring, and obstructive airway syndrome in dogs, but similar research has not been carried out on equines.

“It’s really interesting that the work made a correlation between those upper airway structures and body score,” she said. “It’s an exciting first step; it doesn’t prove anything from a disease point of view, but it shows that when looking at obesity, body condition score seems to affect the angle and position of several of the important structures of the upper airway. Potentially horses who have too much fat – or too little – could be experiencing a change in the angles of the upper airways which is more significant than we realised, so it opens all these questions.

“In humans the size of the tongue and the position of the basihyoid bone can be affected by body condition score. I think in horses it’s an area that needs considerable further investigation. The next questions are, does weight loss make a difference to those upper angles of the airway and does fat percentage in the tongue, larynx and pharynx influence clinically relevant upper airway obstructive diseases?”

BEVA president elect Bruce Bladon told H&H it was a “fascinating” study.

“In essence, horses seem to lay down fat in the base of their tongue, thus more overweight or obese horses have a steeper angle of their soft palate, as it rests on the enlarged base of the tongue,” he said.

“This study has potential welfare significance as this may result in restriction of the airway. Similar findings have been reported in humans, thus the link with snoring and sleep apnoea with obesity.”

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Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Showing – and the industry as a whole – must work together to continue the progress made to combat equine obesity, from grassroots to the top levels.

At the equine weight forum, at the Royal International Horse Show (RIHS), where the Weigh to Win body condition awards were handed out for the fourth year, representatives of showing societies joined vets, riders and the outgoing and incoming chairs of the Showing Council to discuss the issue. It was agreed that it is “crucial” for everyone to work with and via the Showing Council to improve consistency and help support judges and stewards.

“Taking it forward as a collective is the way forward,” said Hickstead director of showing David Ingle. “It’s about a united voice; if we have 40 different voices, nothing will land, it will be a lot slower and we might not do it. If we do it together, we will do it.”

The Horse Trust introduced the awards in 2019 to celebrate horses and ponies of a healthy weight; they are assessed by vets and rosettes are handed out separately to the class placings. Among the major shows to feature the scheme are the RIHS, the Hickstead Derby meeting, Royal Windsor and the Great Yorkshire.

Imogen Burrows, chair of the British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) ethics and welfare committee, said she and past BEVA president Lucy Grieve are among those “passionate about championing this”.

“We’re working on how to communicate it to clients and owners,” she said. “And this isn’t just showing; it’s a global equine industry issue, and we’re aware of that. I was really excited to be asked to help with the awards, and it really gave me a perspective on the pressure when you’re standing in the ring– I take my hat off to all the judges.”

Rebecca Hamilton-Fletcher, an experienced equine vet, lifelong cross-discipline competitor and coach, who was involved in affiliated showing for years, said there is also a lot of work going on to combat equine obesity outside the show ring.

“We’re doing a lot of work with riding establishments,” she said. “The new regulations that came in five years ago have more emphasis on weight and welfare. We’re working with them to body condition-score animals, and encourage them to seek professional nutritional advice if there’s a consistent problem.”

Ms Hamilton-Fletcher spoke of watching a go-round of small ponies, and “all their bottoms were square”.

“But looking at the little 128cm showjumping ponies, there were no square bottoms,” she said.

“This is where we need to let judges and showing people see what they’re looking for, compared to what’s become normal in the showing world.”

The normalisation of excess equine weight was a key issue to be tackled, it was agreed; as people are so used to seeing it, it has become the norm.

“Reframing ‘normal’ is an important thing to do,” a spokesman for the awards said. “It is non-confrontational and would help people to retrain their eyes as to what is a healthy weight.”

Education was a key theme; there have been discussions about getting more information on obesity into the British Horse Society qualifications, the conference heard, to “get the information in right from the beginning”, so the message can be spread in every yard.

“On behalf of BEVA, we’ve been working on obesity for a number of years,” Ms Grieve said. “We’ve done lots of work with Tamzin Furtado [who is behind the awards with the Horse Trust’s Jan Rogers] trying to educate vets and make sure they’re on board, and trying to get farriers, physios and saddlers on board so everyone’s singing from the same hymn sheet.”

From a competitor’s point of view, showing producer Chris Hunnable said he and his wife Katie Jerram-Hunnable are “totally in support of all the hard work” involved in the awards and associated campaigning, and suggested it would be beneficial to have more feedback from assessors, on which to reflect. The possibility of feedback forms was discussed, with the view that exhibitors could read them or not as they choose.

Incoming Showing Council chair Liz Inman said that in her time as Burghley event director, feedback forms were introduced for the young event horse classes, which she said were challenging for judges but “in a positive way as it made them really think about their reasons for judging”.

The issue of show animals’ being fit for purpose was brought up; Katie referenced Shires.

“They’re the most unfit bunch of horses I’ve ever seen coming round the ring,” she said.

“I had an argument with an owner, who didn’t want the horse fit – but then it shouldn’t be in the ring. I wouldn’t ride it; I thought it was a disgrace it couldn’t walk, trot and canter round the ring.”

The need for veterinary research to continue, to improve knowledge on obesity, was discussed, as well as recent work looking at fat deposition in equine upper airways. Developing guidance and policy for showing societies is key, to be delivered in training for judges, stewards and exhibitors and by using “engaging positive language for vets, judges and stewards to use when tackling the challenging subject without causing people offence, which tends to have the opposite effect”.

The conference heard that welfare stewards are being present at shows to consider issues including body condition, and suitable rider weight, and it was agreed that “helping to support competitors through this in a positive way must be the way forward”.

“RIHS once again provided a warm welcome and an ideal base to bring together the equine weight forum,” Dr Furtado said. “Many changes and updates were discussed across the societies, including examples of new activities, training, and research projects which had all arisen from better collaboration between groups. It was really inspiring to once again see the showing organisations working together to be proactive about making change, and we have high hopes for the year ahead.”

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Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

PREVENTING weight gain is the key to battling equine obesity – but a pioneering initiative in showing is helping make positive changes, vets believe.

The Horse Trust’s Healthiest Body Condition Awards, which have been running since 2019, were presented in some showing classes at Royal Windsor Horse Show (10–14 May). Vets assessed the animals aside from the class judging and presented rosettes to those in the healthiest condition.

One of these was Jane Nixon, an experienced equine vet who is also chair of The Showing Council and an advocate for keeping equids at a healthy weight.

“I was absolutely delighted,” Dr Nixon told H&H. “It was a marked improvement from what I’d seen in the past, particularly when I was showing, between 1985 and 2010, and I think there’s true understanding now of the importance of body condition.”

Dr Nixon said she spoke to all the exhibitors in her classes, and “there was understanding and appreciation” of the importance of a healthy weight, although some found it difficult to maintain this, especially in older horses who had been overweight in the past.

She said the “overwhelming majority” in the working hunter classes were of a healthy weight, “the most pleasing being the heavyweight class”.

“This is what we’re looking for – not just one healthy horse but a large population,” she said. “How proud I was of those people, they should be ambassadors.”

Dr Nixon added that the coloured classes were “thought-provoking”, as from the ringside, she assessed many as obese, but in the ring, saw that some of the horses’ deep ribcages and large shoulders made them look fatter than they were.

“That’s not to say you needn’t worry, but those people had worked very hard,” she said. “Apart from some big crests and fat at tail-heads, I was really quite pleased.”

Dr Nixon said her two main messages are not to let horses get fat in the first place, as losing weight is then a challenge, and to keep a particular eye on crests and tail-heads as areas that reveal excess fat.

“There was one rider I spoke to and told her her horse was beautiful but overweight,” she said. “I said that in five years, I didn’t know if it would be as good if she didn’t get the weight off and she was very receptive. People were asking for information and education and that’s the big aim. It boils down to producers engaging and judges making sure they don’t place anything overweight, and commenting on that.”

Vet Lucy Penrose, who was also assessing for the awards, said most competitors were happy, and many asked for their horses’ body condition scores in the ring.

“The Welsh section C award winner, Ringside Poker Dot owned by Georgina Williams and ridden by Izzie Williams, was a fine example of a fit native, and as the only junior in the class, this prize meant the judges invited Izzie to do the lap of honour and it made their day,” she said. “Pleasingly, the riding horses had some joint class winners because there were multiple fit horses in the classes.”

A spokesman for the awards told H&H the initiative is kept under review but “we feel the initiative in its current form is really making headway in the showing fraternity”. A Facebook page is to be launched to share award-winners’ stories and news, and another forum will run this summer to discuss progress.

Shows at which the awards will feature this summer include the Great Yorkshire and Royal Cornwall, the Hickstead Derby and Royal International meetings, and local shows.

British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) veterinary projects officer Lucy Grieve told H&H that BEVA was pleased to hear the awards were well received at Royal Windsor.

“It was encouraging to see the reduction in number and degree of overweight horses presented at these top-level showing classes,” she said. “Thanks to the continued hard work of equine charities and veterinary community in raising awareness of the risks of allowing horses to gain excessive weight, we are seeing healthier horses and ponies entering the show ring. However, there is still work to be done.

“Most of us are aware of how hard it is to lose excess weight once it has been gained, therefore we urge owners and breeders, within showing and across the board, to focus on preventing weight gain in the first place and to rethink their horse management to make equine obesity a thing of the past.”

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Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

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Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Horses and ponies of a healthy weight will be celebrated in some showing classes at Royal Windsor Horse Show (11-14 May), in a move welcomed by vets.

The show and the Horse Trust are “delighted” to announce that the latter’s healthiest body condition awards will be presented in 14 classes.

H&H has reported on the awards, which have run at other major shows to “raise awareness of the importance of keeping all horses at a healthy weight”.

In the selected classes, horses and ponies will be assessed by experienced equine vets Lucy Penrose and Jane Nixon.

“The awards are a great initiative, rewarding horses who are in a healthy body condition in the ring,” Ms Penrose said. “I am happy to support these awards at Royal Windsor because I believe they are, alongside work from societies, making a positive influence in competing horses’ welfare.”

H&H reported that the British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) was concerned about overweight horses and ponies competing at Windsor 2022, but that it was hoped it would be a catalyst for change.

BEVA veterinary projects officer Lucy Grieve told H&H the association was pleased to see the show supporting “this excellent initiative”.

“While obesity is a serious issue across the UK equine population, it has been particularly disheartening to see overweight show horses being celebrated, despite the potentially serious health risks,” she said. “It’s time to call out those who continue to ignore the proven facts, to satisfy their own pleasure. There have been many equine charity initiatives and a lot of vets’ blood, sweat and tears devoted to educating owners about the debilitating consequences of horses’ carrying excess weight, especially the increased susceptibility to laminitis, which can be fatal.

“We would really like to see all sports and classes adopt this approach to recognising that healthy body condition is a must. Whether it is a cob, a ‘good doer’ or a retired companion, all horses and ponies rely on owners and carers to keep them at a healthy weight. Allowing an animal to become overweight to the point its life is at risk is no less cruel or neglectful than failing to feed it such that it is underweight and malnourished.

“Purportedly a nation of horse lovers, it is surely the duty of every one of us in the equine sector to help prevent unnecessary pain and suffering; we must all work together to ensure we acknowledge and prioritise health over appearances, without exception.”

Producer Vicky Smith, who will be competing a string of horses at Windsor, told H&H she supports the initiative.

“As a judge and competitor, I think it’s a great idea,” she said. “I think a lot of people feel pressure to have extra condition on their horses to fit in certain classes. I used to have eventers and my show horses are treated like them; they’re fit and have a varied routine. For me, it’s important to have balance; looking in condition, with good topline, and being fit and strong with muscle tone. It’s important people realise the difference between fit and fat and important they’re made aware. The societies do a great job; at judges’ conferences they’re clear fat horses should be penalised, and Windsor doing this can only be positive.”

Dr Nixon, who is also chair of the Showing Council and has spoken about the dangers of equine obesity, said: “The awards are important to me because they are working to address the serious problem of obesity in some show horses. I believe all horses deserve to be healthy and happy. I believe this program is making a real difference in the lives of some show horses, and I am proud to support it.”

Competitors at the show will also be able to take advantage of education, advice and resources about keeping horses and ponies at a healthy weight.

Jan Rogers, head of research and policy at the Horse Trust, said: “We get very upset by seeing photos of underweight horses in the media, but in reality, far more horses are obese than are underweight. This is worrying for vets who are finding that they must treat these horses with serious health conditions like equine metabolic syndrome and laminitis. People’s perceptions of what is a healthy weight have shifted towards the higher body condition scores. We would like to help to reset this balance.”

A spokesman for Royal Windsor added: “The welfare of horses participating at Royal Windsor is of paramount importance and we are delighted to welcome the Horse Trust’s healthiest body condition awards initiative to the show”.

The awards will be presented in the following classes:

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‘Grave concern’ as equine obesity could mean shorter careers – and lives

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Obesity may contribute to shortened careers – and lives – of horses and ponies, and its prevalence is a “grave concern”.

These are the conclusions of a review of the effects of excess weight on equine exercise performance, conducted by Shannon Pratt-Phillips and Ahmad Munjizun, of the department of animal science, North Carolina State University, and published this week in Animals.

“There is ample research describing the increased risk of health concerns associated with equine obesity, including insulin dysregulation and laminitis,” the paper states.

“For athletes, the negative effect of weight carriage is well documented in racing thoroughbreds (i.e., handicapping with weight) and rider weight has been shown to impact the workload of ridden horses and to some degree their gait and movement.

“In many groups of competitive and athletic horses and ponies, obesity is still relatively common. Therefore, these animals not only are at risk of metabolic disease, but also must perform at a higher workload due to the weight of their adipose tissue. Excess body weight has been documented to affect gait quality, cause heat stress and is expected to hasten the incidence of arthritis development. Meanwhile, many equine event judges appear to favour the look of adiposity in competitive animals. This potentially rewards horses and ponies that are at higher risk of disease and reinforces the owner’s decisions to keep their animals fat.

“This is a welfare concern for these animals and is of grave concern for the equine industry.”

The authors, who reviewed a large number of studies in this area, note that the potential negative effects of carrying extra weight on horses’ performance are well known, referencing not only handicapping of racehorses, which was established in the 19th century, but also research proving that carrying extra weight increases horses’ workload.

“At the extreme, there are reports of welfare concerns regarding work efforts and strain on horses carrying excess weight (as riders or other loads),” the authors state. “To this end, it would seem that additional weight carried by an overweight or obese horse as excess body fat would also contribute to towards a higher workload and potentially have a negative impact on athletic performance. The excess adipose tissue may also be detrimental to overall health and exercise performance directly through the production of inflammatory proteins and their effects on the body. A large number of companion and performance horses and ponies are considered overweight or obese and are, therefore, at risk of disease and likely also have impaired performance.”

Among the papers considered in the review was research into the incidence of equine obesity, which has been reported to reach 22–50% in the US and 31.2–72% in the UK. The authors cite studies showing that owners often do not recognise that their horses are overweight, and tend to underestimate their body condition scores.

“Obesity may be more likely and understandable in leisure horses that may be overfed calories due to their lower level of activity and, therefore, lower caloric requirements,” the authors state. They added that excess weight has been reported in different disciplines of competition, and that studies indicate judges may favour excess weight, so owners keep horses fatter to “give them an edge” in the ring.

“It is likely, however, that adiposity will ultimately not just shorten a horse’s lifespan, but may also negatively affect their athletic career,” the paper states.

The authors add that excess equine weight is linked to conditions including equine metabolic syndrome, laminitis and low-grade inflammation. It can also cause build-up of fat around the kidneys and heart and may affect reproduction. The paper states that the increased risk of arthritis in overweight horses may be owing to increased load on the joints but could also be related to pro-inflammatory compounds produced by the fatty tissue.

“Therefore, feeding to keep horses at a leaner body condition may lengthen their athletic careers and prolong their lives,” the authors state. They found that excess weight may “significantly affect equine performance”, and have an impact on a horse’s movement. The insulating properties of fat may also have a negative impact on a horse’s ability to cool itself.

“Despite the insurmountable recognition of major health consequences of obesity in our horses, several large research studies have shown that obesity is prevalent among our equine populations,” the report concludes. “Excessive weight carriage – as body fat and/or rider weight – appears to increase the workload of horses and may pose excessive strain on a horse’s limbs during exercise. Excessive weight carriage as fat further increases the likelihood of additional negative health impacts such as metabolic disease, laminitis, inflammation, cardiovascular changes and/or arthritis. Therefore, excessive adiposity may contribute to potentially shortened careers and/or lives of these equine partners. The current trends in many equine disciplines that appear to reward excess condition (fat) and the increased overall incidence of obesity in our equine populations is of grave concern.”

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Tackling equine obesity is about more than just increasing owners’ knowledge – and everyone has a role to play, researchers have found.

A study published in Frontiers in Veterinary Science looked at human behaviour factors surrounding equine obesity. Researchers collected data from interviews with owners and industry professionals, and discussion forums, and analysed this using the COM-B model of behaviour change – which refers to capability, opportunity, motivation and behaviour.

Among the findings, the study showed that most owners had an understanding that excess body fat was a health risk to their horses, but because owners found it hard to identity how much fat was on their animals, most had not made changes to their horses’ management to reduce weight until an acute health issue such as laminitis occurred. Owners in the study understood that a range of management strategies were available, but they found it hard to identify what would work within the environment in which they kept their horse.

Lead author Tamzin Furtado, of the University of Liverpool, told H&H the model highlighted the different aspects, including physical challenges or social influences, making it difficult for owners to recognise that their horses were overweight, or to manage their weight.

“The take-home message is that there’s no one factor that’s key to changing the levels of equine obesity. We need to think more broadly than just increasing owners’ knowledge, because we’re impacted by the social norms around us and the physical environment and so on,” she said.

“We all have our roles to play, whether you’re on a livery yard or on social media, we can all support each other and help people realise that weight management is a responsible thing to do.”

Ms Furtado added that there have been “good indications” that awareness of obesity is increasing, but said the number of obese horses is not necessarily decreasing.

“The fact that we have increased awareness is a good first step, but there’s lots of other things we can be doing such as supporting yard managers to create environments where horses can be turned out without too much grass, but with an interesting environment,” she said.

“Other things that work quite well are having ‘fit clubs’, and there’s good science that shows having an accountability buddy or teaming up with a friend to support each other can be really beneficial. Another thing people can do is share knowledge from reputable sources, to make sure we get the real information out there to people. It’s all about collaboration and building on the positive stuff that we already have.”

World Horse Welfare head of UK support Sam Chubbock told H&H that managing the weight of good doers is a “perpetual challenge” and one faced by a significant number of owners.

“Traditional ways of approaching equine weight management can have limited success, but this study offers a multifaceted and novel route into an issue that it is important to recognise as being as much of a health issue as horses that are underweight,” she said.

“Changing perceptions and actions around weight can in itself be challenging, but this study provides options and a different approach to try, which is an important addition to help owners with this ongoing and often very difficult management issue.”

British Equine Veterinary Association president David Rendle said behavioural studies are important in understanding health-related behaviours and identifying potential barriers to change.

“Failure to utilise behavioural science not only compromises the potential benefits of interventions but can result in overtly negative impacts on health,” he said.

“Models suggest that in order to change behaviour, we first need to understand that behaviour and endeavour to understand the attitudes and values which contribute to the behaviour being performed, as well as the social and environmental factors which make the behaviour easier or more difficult to carry out.”

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SHOWING judges in the US favour ponies who are overweight, a study has revealed, and “the fatter the pony, the higher the score”.

Researchers assessed animals at the US Equestrian Federation (USEF) Pony Finals national championship event, a major and prestigious show for which entrants have to qualify, last August. They found that there was a judging bias in favour of ponies carrying more weight.

Lead researcher Shannon Pratt-Phillips, who had been behind a previous study that found US judges were more likely to be lenient towards overweight than to leaner horses – and not always able to identify when an animal is carrying excess fat – told H&H the results are concerning.

“It’s the elite ponies who win here; it’s the most important competition for ponies,” she said. “And we found that, ultimately, the fatter ponies were the ones getting the higher scores.”

Dr Pratt-Phillips explained that the ponies are judged under saddle, over fences and on conformation. As the ridden phases’ marks were influenced by the rider, the researchers concentrated on the conformation phase.

Two researchers experienced in body condition scoring assessed each pony, on the one to nine scale in which five is ideal, then the average of their scores was compared to the judges’ marks.

“All the ponies were essentially overweight,” Dr Pratt-Phillips said. “Not a single one was in what I’d consider ideal body condition. The highest was 8.5 and for every level fatter [than ideal] it’s more and more dangerous; the eights are at significant risk.”

She added that there was a “significant positive relationship” between the ponies’ excess weight and higher marks, adding: “The fatter the pony, the higher the score.”

She said the very obese ponies did not score very highly, but “if you took a pony that was a six and fed it up to a seven, it would probably do better, and that’s a very unfortunate finding. I don’t want people to think, ‘Here’s more evidence for why I should feed up my pony,’ I want judges to say, ‘You’re doing a disservice to your ponies, and our industry.’”

Another interesting finding, Dr Pratt-Phillips said, is that there were very few ponies in ideal condition, leading her to ask whether these animals are passed over for qualification in favour of those with more weight.

“That’s the worry,” she said. “It’s one thing to have an overweight animal and realise, and struggle to do the right thing, but it was obvious from chatting to owners that many of them are doing it on purpose. There’s also the Devon Horse Show, for young horses, and I know some breeders who won’t take their horses there as they don’t want to have to fatten them up.”

Dr Pratt-Phillips would like to see USEF and other governing bodies and breed societies recognise there is an issue.

“The H&H articles [on equine obesity] have been great but there hasn’t been much done on this in the US, but this is a problem and we need to do something about it,” she said.

“I’d love to set up educational webinars for judges and work with them to help them realise how bad obesity is from a health perspective, and how to recognise it. Judges do such a good job but if they keep seeing overweight horses winning, it becomes the norm.”

A spokesman for USEF told H&H horse welfare is a “top priority” for USEF, especially at licensed competitions across the country.

“It is important that we continue to provide educational resources to our members which underline the negative impact of equine obesity and the coinciding health effects it can have on horses and ponies,” he said. “We will continue to review available research and strongly encourage all owners to consult with their veterinarians annually on all aspects of their horses and ponies’ wellbeing including their weight.”

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Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Showing judges must place overweight horses down the line, it has been said, as joint efforts continue against the equine obesity epidemic.

At the Showing Council summer conference on 28 June, the Horse Trust’s Jan Rogers and researcher Tamzin Furtado gave a presentation on their “Weigh to Win” scheme. The scheme awards rosettes in showing classes to the horse or pony in the best body condition, and has been extended this season.

Dr Furtado said those behind the scheme are considering how they scale it up, adding: “This stage is up to the showing community, to think about how we take it forward. Engagement with shows has been key; some have really embraced the idea with announcements and so on, and competitors have loved it. That’s a really forward-thinking show. In other situations, it’s been a bit aside from the class, and people have felt it doesn’t really matter. What people seem to want is that full engagement from shows.”

She added that the idea works best when everyone is on board; so competitors feel encouraged to bring animals in healthy condition, and judges feel confident to explain to those whose horses have been placed lower owing to excess weight.

“I’m really pleased to say the Great Yorkshire Show [12-15 July] is promoting the fact it’s a healthy-weight show this year.”

This means that as well as the awards, the show will have free condition-scoring and weight management advice, from Dr Furtado and independent nutritionist Nikki Meggison. Competitors will be encouraged to enter horses and ponies at “ideal” weights, and the judges will take condition into account when deciding placings.

“The more shows take this on board, the more people will be encouraged to feel good about what they’re doing, and go to these events,” Dr Furtado said.

She added: “I’m really keen to hear what you think. Do we need to do more? Should there be rule changes? What do we do to take this to the next level? We’ve got the positive first step but it won’t change the world on its own.”

In the discussion that followed, the question was asked on what should the Showing Council and other organisations do to educate judges more on obesity.

“I couldn’t agree more with Jan Rogers and Tamzin Furtardo,” said Showing Council chair Jane Nixon. “In the late 1980s, in the Royal Windsor workers, there were only two good jumping rounds so the judges only pulled two forwards and gave them rosettes. If we have obese horses in a class, my belief is they shouldn’t be placed.”

British Show Horse Association chair Nick Thompson said the association is putting together training on body condition scoring for judges, adding that a meeting with Ms Rogers and Dr Furtado would be “welcome”.

“The judges are putting horses up as they’re presented in unsatisfactory body condition,” he said. “It’s a bit of a vicious circle and we’ve got to try to break that circle.”

British Show Pony Society (BSPS) chair Paul Cook added that obesity was addressed at the BSPS judges’ conference this year, where judges agreed overweight ponies should be placed lower.

“I think we’re all on the same page and want to work together on this,” he said.

“The onus in my view is on judges, making educated appraisals and always placing overweight horses down the line,” Dr Nixon said. “And explaining to the exhibitor why they’ve done so.”

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Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

THE equestrian community needs to see there are efforts being made to combat the equine obesity epidemic, it is believed, as a major initiative returns in extended form.

The “Weigh to Win”, a scheme in which awards for the healthiest body condition are given in showing classes, is back for 2022, at more shows than before, as well as a raft of new initiatives all aimed at helping improve owner understanding and equine welfare.

The awards, run by The Horse Trust and researcher Tamzin Furtado, were first given out in 2019, and will this year feature at more than 40 unaffiliated and affiliated shows.

This includes the Royal International Horse Show (RIHS), which has been involved since the start of the scheme.

RIHS director of showing David Ingle, formerly chairman of the Showing Council, told H&H more classes will be involved this year, for ponies and horses.

“In this ever-changing world, and with such big discussions on welfare and the weight debate, it’s really important this is visible and transparent,” he said.

“I was at the British Show Pony Society judges’ conference this year and people were saying nothing is being done about this. I was able to say something is being done, but it shows not enough people know about it. I saw what happened at Royal Windsor and thought that is exactly why we need to do more.”

Mr Ingle said when he first spoke of the awards scheme, “a lot of people said ‘You can’t do that’”.

“I struggle to understand why people would be cross about it,” he added. “A few people have been less than supportive but I hope that’s changing; a few societies have had Tamzin and Jan [Rogers, of The Horse Trust] talking to them, which is a really big step. We must open the door to the welfare side of things, and not be fearful of it.”

Mr Ingle would like an environment in which people are not afraid to ask for help on equine weight management; he said if people feel they are able to approach Dr Furtado for advice at a show, that would be “wonderful”. And he believes that, as excess weight is so serious an equine welfare issue, the education and advice provided through the scheme will “give horses better lives”.

“I don’t want anyone saying we’re not doing anything about this; we are and I’m proud of it,” he said. “It’s all about education and understanding – and we have absolutely no choice in this. We have responsibility for our equine partners’ welfare and that has to be our top priority, and it is at the RIHS. This issue is not going away, and neither should it.”

Dr Furtado told H&H the highlighting of some horses’ excess weight at Royal Windsor has “ramped up” some of the plans and ideas.

“One idea could be having a vet at every class to condition-score and eliminate the [obese horses],” she said. “That might not be possible but should there be more being done, and if so, what, and how can we make sure everyone is positive about it?”

Dr Furtado, whose PhD was on owner attitudes to equine obesity, said other options include having weighbridges and people to condition-score animals at shows with their owners, so the owners understand why a horse has been given a certain score. Another idea is for shows to be branded as healthy condition-aware, so competitors will know their horses must be in good condition, and judges will feel supported by organisers in telling an owner an animal is overweight, or marking it down.

“Then everyone’s on board and there isn’t the vicious circle of competitors thinking the judges want them fat, and the judges say they don’t, but people bring forward overweight horses, so what are they supposed to do,” she said.

Dr Furtado has always been in favour of rewarding good practice, advising and educating owners of horses who are overweight rather than criticising, and “working with the showing community in a positive way, so they feel supported in making changes”.

Lucy Grieve, immediate past President of the British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA), and chair of BEVA’s ethics and welfare committee, told H&H: “BEVA is celebrating news that members of the UK showing world have chosen to embrace the healthiest body condition award scheme again this year and adopt it even more widely than before.

“The fact that people are recognising the importance of the subject and choosing to do something about it, is the breakthrough we have been hoping for. It is thanks to the hard work and determination of the Horse Trust and Tamzin Furtado that inroads have been made with this scheme, enabling all involved to understand not only the dangers and welfare implications of obesity in horses, but also to start changing people’s beliefs and perceptions that this habit, or fashion, has to persist in showing.

“If we all make the effort to learn what is a healthy weight and what is not, we can avoid putting horses at risk of life-threatening laminitis purely to comply with current shape trends. Seeing change move across the showing world is what vets have been hoping to see for years, and this scheme looks to be creating the very wave that was needed to make overweight horses in the show ring a thing of the past.”

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Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

A leading feed manufacturer is urging owners of overweight horses to convert kilos to pounds in aid of Redwings Horse Sanctuary.

Spillers is “on a mission” to help horses shed excess weight, so is promising to convert kilos lost to pounds donated to the charity.

The aim is for horses owned by members of the Spillers Slimmers’ Club to lose 100,000kg, or 100 tons, between them. As the weight loss accumulates, it will be converted to a £5,000 boost for Redwings.

“Our mission for this campaign is threefold,” said Spillers product manager Sarah Nelson.

“We want to use our knowledge and expertise to help owners of overweight horses and ponies achieve safe, sustainable weight loss, to raise funds to support our favourite charity Redwings and to continue to raise awareness of the need to end equine obesity for good.”

H&H has reported extensively on the equine obesity epidemic, which is thought by leading vets to be the major welfare issue facing the UK herd. The implications of excess weight include the potentially fatal condition laminitis, as well as increased joint strain, respiratory stress, heat intolerance, an increase in chronic low-grade inflammation in senior horses and reduced fertility.

“The Spillers Slimmers’ Club was launched last summer to help address the problem of equine obesity in a positive way,” a Spillers spokesman said. “Now, with more than 2,500 members, the motivating and friendly club provides practical support and camaraderie for owners of overweight horses and ponies, to aid them on their weight loss journey. It provides information and advice including weight loss tips, details of how to body condition score and use a weigh tape, diet plans and weight loss records. Club members also receive access to a dedicated Facebook group where they can share their horse’s progress and tips with other owners, get inspired with success stories and post questions for Spillers nutritionists to answer.”

Over the past 20 years, Spillers has been working with the Waltham Equine Studies Groups and others to investigate links between equine metabolic syndrome, insulin dysregulation, obesity and laminitis.

Redwings’ head of veterinary services Nicola Jarvis said: “We’re delighted to be working with Spillers on this important initiative and grateful for their support with our work here at Redwings.

“Fat has long been regarded as just an innocent way to store excess calories, but we now know fat produces chemicals that negatively affect our horse’s metabolism and health, as it does in humans.

“By helping our horses safely reach an ideal body condition score, we decrease their risk of laminitis and the agony and suffering this condition brings. At Redwings we empathise with the challenges of managing weight, especially in our cobs, Welsh ponies and Shetlands, but getting an honest opinion as to whether your horse is overweight is essential. Don’t wait for laminitis to strike before seeking advice.”

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Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

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Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

VETS and welfare experts say they were “extremely disappointed” to see overweight horses competing and being placed at Royal Windsor – but it is hoped the event is proving to be a catalyst for change.

The British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) contacted H&H with its concerns over some of the horses shown at the event (11–15 May). H&H has reported extensively on the epidemic of equine obesity, and the related significant welfare implications.

“BEVA was extremely disappointed to see overweight horses taking part in Royal Windsor Horse Show and being highly placed,” a spokesman said. “A huge amount of effort has been put into educating the equestrian world on the risk to health posed by obesity, and there has been great progress made at a number of shows and classes. However, despite this, some horses continue to be willingly and intentionally kept in obese condition and rosettes continue to be awarded for it. “

BEVA added that obesity-related laminitis is a frequent cause of death in UK horses.

“We strongly urge owners, riders and judges to speak to their vet or qualified nutritionist and learn how to identify horses that are overweight,” the spokesman said. “This will enable weight management measures to be instigated to avoid this agonising, preventable and life-threatening condition, as well as other adverse effects of equine obesity.

“BEVA has been discussing the subject with members of the showing community, and recognises that work is being done alongside welfare organisations to clarify judging standards in relation to obesity. We will continue to support these efforts and applaud those members who are improving equine welfare in this regard.”

Showing Council chairman Jane Nixon, a highly experienced equine vet, told H&H she was also at Windsor, and agreed there were obese horses there.

“It was more prevalent in some classes than others, which I think others would agree with,” she said. “Across the board over the past few years, especially since the start of Covid, we do seem to have made some inroads, but there’s no question, obesity still exists.

“We need to look positively at the situation; a lot of hard work has been done, by welfare groups, vets and showing organisations. We need to take a positive view, but much still needs to be done.”

Dr Nixon added that Windsor highlighted the issue, which “could be considered a watershed moment”.

“I think the balance is now tipping towards horses in the appropriate condition,” she said. “BEVA is right; obesity needs to be challenged, in the right way. I think we need to be proactive, and say well done to those doing it right, but that it is still there, and a serious welfare issue.”

Tamzin Furtado, a researcher who has been working on a project to give awards to the horses in the best body condition in major showing classes, agreed with BEVA.

“It was disappointing to see overweight horses being rewarded in some showing classes at Windsor,” she told H&H. “We know there are groups within the showing community who are passionate about making changes in judging standards and have made progress in this regard, but unfortunately change has not been as quick to permeate all classes as we might hope.”

Dr Furtado added that Windsor has “been a catalyst for some extensive discussions about how we can encourage further change”.

“We are very hopeful that additional support for judges, show organisers and competitors to celebrate healthy body condition will soon be in place,” she said.

World Horse Welfare CEO Roly Owers told H&H: “There’s still a significant challenge in raising awareness of the critical health implications of equine obesity, and it’s got to be a collective effort, including showing and the judging within it. Weight management is not easy, but it’s vital for equine health.”

Equine obesity will be on the agenda at the Showing Council summer conference on 28 June. For tickets, visit: theshowingcouncil.co.uk

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Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

A drug being used to treat horses suffering with acute laminitis is proving to be successful – but owners have been warned this does not mean they can become complacent in management practices.

Ertugliflozin, an SGL2 inhibitor used to help lower blood glucose levels in humans, has been found to lower insulin levels in horses, and is being used more in the treatment of laminitis and equine metabolic syndrome (EMS). The drug does not have marketing authorisation for use in horses, but it can be prescribed by a vet in the UK.

David Rendle, chair of the British Equine Veterinary Association’s health and medicines committee, who has been involved in some of the research of the use of ertugliflozin, told H&H that although there is limited data available, the drug has been found to bring insulin levels down “remarkably quickly”.

“We have found in cases of laminitis the horse’s level of comfort increases very quickly. Everything is pointing toward SGL2s being an effective way of reducing the suffering associated with laminitis,” he said.

“This is exciting, but management still has to be the central theme. I wouldn’t want owners to think there’s now a magic bullet and they can be complacent about management, because that’s not the case.”

Pearl James’ gelding Murphy developed laminitis and EMS last autumn. Murphy had sustained an injury and could not be exercised, and despite strict management practices, he continued to put on weight. Having changed vet practices to Pinkham Equine, he was prescribed ertugliflozin by vet Rich Bristow.

Pearl told H&H within two weeks of Murphy being on the drug his insulin levels dropped from 150 to 11. Studies have indicated generally a horse’s insulin level should be below 20.

“We had been desperately trying to make him lose weight but no matter what he was getting fatter and fatter. You can reduce their food as much as you can, but you can’t starve them. Because we had the laminitis, coupled with the other lameness issue, I just felt up against it and desperate,” she said, adding that although the drug is expensive, she believes it has been worth it.

“Ertugliflozin has been like a wonder drug and Murphy looks amazing. If it wasn’t for this I don’t think we would have been able to keep laminitis away – and I don’t know if we would have been able to keep him going.”

Vet Rich Bristow told H&H there are other drugs that can be used for EMS and insulin resistance, but he believes ertugliflozin has been “the most effective”.

“If you can institute good management changes, in terms of feeding and weight loss and increasing exercise levels, then sometimes you can get horses’ glucose levels to come down – but the frustrating cases are when a horse is suffering from laminitis and can’t be exercised. There is no shortage of horses and ponies suffering from EMS so I’m sure there will be some who will benefit from this drug,” he said.

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Knowing a pony’s insulin levels makes it possible to determine how at risk of laminitis it is – with the highest indicating a 70% chance of developing the condition, research has shown.

A study led by Edd Knowles of Bell Equine and the Royal Veterinary College (RVC), funded by the RVC and Mars Petcare, has provided further evidence on indicators that a pony is at risk of laminitis.

The project involved 374 ponies, with no history of laminitis, from 24 premises. Over four years, they had six-monthly examinations, during which sugar syrup was administered and blood samples taken to monitor levels of insulin and ACTH, the hormone measured in PPID (pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction, often called Cushing’s disease) diagnosis. The ponies were also weighed and measured. Of the 374 ponies, 43 cases of laminitis were reported over four years.

Dr Knowles told H&H the aim of the study was to assess which factors were most useful when considering whether a pony was at risk of developing laminitis.

“We have known for a long time there are different things that can cause laminitis, whether it’s being overweight, grass, hormones, and we wanted to look at things that are practical for vets to measure and owners to determine fairly easily,” he said.

“In those who developed laminitis, when we looked at all the information collected in the visits beforehand, we found the levels of insulin in the blood were the most important factor. We expected insulin to be important, but what was interesting was how important it was compared to other things, like measuring a cresty neck for example. Blood testing tells you something you can’t see from the outside.”

“By knowing the different levels of insulin we can put a number on how high the risk is for that pony. For ponies where insulin stayed normal for four years, they were at a very low risk of laminitis. But for animals with the highest insulin dysregulation, we could say about 70% of them would develop laminitis in that time.”

Dr Knowles said it is important owners consider which ponies are at risk of developing laminitis and how they are kept. He added “logically” it could be assumed the study’s results would apply to horses as well as ponies, but more work is needed.

“We need to get better at identifying the animals at risk, and consider how we want to keep them.”

David Rendle, chair of the British Equestrian Veterinary Association’s health and medicines committee, told H&H the study backs up previous research and makes it “really clear” there is a strong link between insulin concentrations and the risk of laminitis.

“It’s helpful for owners to see that their horse has a high insulin level. We’ve spent years trying to persuade owners that their horses are overweight and need a diet, and it’s really difficult to change owner behaviour. So if we can show a horse has a very high level, that’s black and white evidence the horse has a metabolic abnormality,” he said.

“If you’ve got a pony with insulin above 45, they have a 70% chance of developing laminitis. Those numbers are powerful and the question is what do you do about it? The central theme has to be the same drum we keep banging that horses need to be leaner and fitter. Owners often have an optimism bias that even if they appreciate their horse is slightly larger than it should be, they always think they won’t be the one that gets laminitis.”

Mr Rendle added that it would be helpful for owners to test insulin levels more regularly, but warned that low insulin is not a get-out-of-jail-free card.

“If you get a low result you can’t be completely complacent about the risk of laminitis. With changes in diet and body condition insulin can quickly go up,” he said.

Read the study here.

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Excess equine weight and whisker-trimming were among the horse-welfare issues highlighted by British Show Pony Society (BSPS), as it has been confirmed that overweight and obese animals should be placed lower.

As well as safety, child safeguarding and biosecurity, judges at the BSPS judges’ conference and AGM on 5 February were reminded that horse welfare within showing, as with all equestrian sport, is under scrutiny.

“Horse welfare is one of our top priorities and we have policies signed off for 2022 which will be reviewed throughout the season,” said BSPS chairman Paul Cook. “The Great Yorkshire Show’s decision to ban animals with trimmed whiskers competing at their show is a new rule for 2022, and we consequently ask our judges not to penalise ponies who come forward with untrimmed whiskers in BSPS classes.”

Judges were also presented with several situational dilemmas with which they may be presented with in the ring, including equine obesity. Overall, it was confirmed that overweight or obese animals should be placed down the line.

“Horses must be fit for purpose,” said BSPS judge Brigit Ensten. “It doesn’t matter which class it’s in, fat horses are the worst to watch or ride.”

Fellow judge Brian Williams added: “I would always mention it to the competitor no matter where the animal placed in the line. There’s nothing worse than judging a beautiful animal which is overweight. We owe it to the competitor to let them know our opinions which they’ve paid for on the day. It may help them in the future.”

The Royal International Horse Show (RIHS) was praised for allowing researcher and equine obesity specialist Tamzin Furtado, working with the Horse Trust, to attend in 2021 and give awards to the animals in the healthiest condition in each of 12 classes, an extension to a pilot that first ran in 2019.

RIHS showing director David Ingle said: “It showed that we are willing to open the doors at any level and that showing isn’t hiding from equine obesity.”

To improve safety across the board, the BSPS also informed judges of the new ruling that no ponies are to be galloped on the go-round in BSPS classes.

Also discussed was how judges should deal with a pony which is noticed to be “unlevel on occasions” during its individual show at a fixture where no vet is present on the show ground.

“It’s one of the most contentious situations for judges and it provokes the biggest amount of complaints from competitors,” said Paul Cook.

There was various discussion, which ranged from judges’ placing the pony down the line or giving it fewer marks, to removing it from the ring completely as soon as slight lameness was detected.

Top show producer and BSPS judge Richard Ramsay said: “It can be difficult, especially with parents watching by the side of the ring, but it becomes a welfare issue. We should not let ponies hobble round the ring. If I was ride judging and a horse was unlevel I would take it straight back into line.”

BSPS championship show director Philip Hilton added: “A pony is either lame or it is not. If it is lame consider exactly where you would slip it in and how the other competitors would feel if they placed below a lame pony. If a pony is lame it should be sent out of the ring.”

• What do you think, do you agree with the judges? Send your thoughts to hhletters@futurenet.com, including your name, nearest town and country, and you could win a bottle of Champagne Taittinger

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WIDESPREAD treating of excess weight as a joke could be an important contributing factor to the obesity epidemic in horses, it is thought.

Experts discussed the issue, widely agreed to be one of the biggest welfare concerns facing the UK equine herd, at a Showing Council webinar on 20 January.

Researcher Tamzin Furtado, whose PhD was on equine obesity and owner attitudes to it, and Horse Trust director of research and policy Jan Rogers spoke about their work in the area. H&H has reported how their awards for the animals in the healthiest condition, which started as a pilot at small shows, was rolled out to the Royal International Horse Show last year.

“Why do we care about obesity?” Dr Furtado asked. “I wish I had a pound for every time someone’s said, ‘How can yours be a full-time job? They just need to work more and eat less.’ You probably know it’s a bit more complex than that but it’s a problem we’ve got to sort out.

“It was summed up for me by one vet who said he had had to put to sleep more horses from obesity-related disease in the past 10 years than from any other factor, and every one of those was preventable.

“So people think it’s not a big deal, but it is life or death.”

Dr Furtado said, as H&H has previously reported, that our horses live in an obesogenic environment; one in which it is likely they will gain weight, for reasons including mild winters, wet summers with much grass growth, and more horses tending towards being pets rather than working animals, so fewer people are used to seeing fit, appropriately exercised animals.

But she added that another “big reason”, she thinks, is that in many Western countries, obesity in animals, “and, I’m sad to say, children”, is seen as funny.

“If you Google ‘fat horse’ you’ll find loads of memes,” she said. “I think the fact we joke about it, and the language used like ‘cuddly’, ‘looking well’ is positive and sometimes funny, it minimises the severity of the problem.”

Ms Rogers spoke of the condition awards scheme, which is to run at some 40 shows this year, publicised by he hashtag #TheWeighToWin. She said the aim is to reward positives rather than penalise, adding that The Horse Trust is looking into human behaviour-change science to help bring about change in this area, using the principle of “little nudges rather than the revolution”.

“Fundamentally our values are all the same; we care about the wellbeing of the horse,” she said. “It could be a bumpy road but we’ll be driving slowly; we want to understand what people believe, and what their drivers are, to bring about positive change.”

The importance of young horses’ weight being kept under control was discussed, owing to its long-term potential for harm, and the setting up of working groups to help judges, for example when determining if a healthy-weight horse with a minor conformational defect should be placed above an obese one with better basic conformation.

Vet and Showing Council chairman Jane Nixon said: “I think this is what judges really need to be taught. Which conformational faults are the most serious for each breed or discipline, and how serious is obesity. At the end of the day, an obese horse will stand less work than one with a minor defect. I think a lot of discussion at judges’ seminars would help.”

Dr Nixon added: “If you want your horse to have a good long life, don’t make him overweight when he’s a baby, or I promise that by the time he’s eight, he’ll be sub-clinically lame, and if he’s obese between birth and two, by the time he’s 10, he’ll be clinically lame. It’s as serious as that.”

Dr Furtado said: “This is an epidemic and we have to find some way of sorting it out.”

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Owners have been urged to think carefully before they rug their horses and ponies this winter.

Animal welfare charity Blue Cross has reminded owners that while horses may look snug while wrapped up, this may not be the healthiest or kindest option.

“As winter approaches, it’s tempting to reach for the extra rugs, but does your horse need a rug at all?” said Blue Cross horse welfare manager Ruth Court.

“There has been a lot of research around rugging in recent years and there are many reasons why we may not need to rug our horses, the most obvious one being that it can lead to weight gain and overweight horses.”

Horses have a much wider thermoneutral zone — the temperature range in which they do not have to “work” to control its body temperature — than humans, so even if owners feel cold, they may not.

Blue Cross is urging owners to consider certain points before they decide to grab a horse rug:

• Horses will protect themselves in bad weather, by turning their backs on wind and rain to protect the head, neck, eyes, ears and belly.
• They may choose natural shelter such as hedges and trees, or a field shelter, and keep together to share body warmth.
• Horses with frost on their backs may look cold but this is not the case: very little body heat is escaping, which is why the frost has not melted.
• The horse has a very efficient coat. The erector muscles for each hair need “exercising” to work efficiently, and over-rugging may compromise this natural mechanism.
• Over-rugged horses do not have a natural ability to cool down, so may sweat and become uncomfortable.
• Rugging can affect the horse’s natural weight control system; over-rugging and over-feeding in winter means they are less likely to lose weight, so increasing the risk of more weight gain and laminitis in spring.
• Eating and digesting forage helps generate heat to keep a horse warm naturally.

Of course, some horses do need rugs: clipped, elderly, unwell and lighter-breed horses may need them, as well as those kept in stables, with restricted movement. The individual circumstances need to be considered when deciding which rug to put on your horse.

“Horses have evolved to deal with the cold,” said Ruth. “As long as we meet their basic management needs by providing ad lib forage, water, equine companionship and access to shelter they should be comfortable and warm with the lightest of rain sheets or no rugs at all.

“Do remember to make any changes gradually though, to give them time to adapt their natural heating system and they must be checked at least once a day to be sure they are happy in the field.”

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Understanding how to body condition score a horse will enable you to judge whether or not your horse needs to lose weight. As horse owners, we know our horse should not be overweight, but it’s not always clear what we are aiming for.

It is impossible to discern by eye how much fat a horse is carrying, and it can be deceptive. Many owners do not have easy access to weighing their horse accurately with a weighbridge, but it’s easy to body condition score a horse if you know how. While weight is dependent on many other factors such as size, build and muscle, the amount of fat a horse is storing has fewer variables. This makes it a reliable indicator of whether a horse is obese or otherwise.

Once you know how to body condition score a horse, you can tailor the horse’s management plan to help your horse gain weight, maintain condition or get your horse to lose weight.

What is a body condition score?

Also called “fat scoring”, this assesses the amount of fat a horse is carrying, not their physical weight, muscle tone or coat condition.

Body condition scoring involves dividing the horse into three areas: the neck and shoulders, the middle or body, and the hindquarters. The scorer both looks at and feels each area and grades them on a scale depending on how much fat they are carrying.

It is a six-point system, grading from emaciated (zero) to obese (five). A healthy horse should score between two and three, allowing for seasonal fluctuations. The ideal score for most leisure horses would be about three. Higher than that, and the horse is at risk of obesity and associated diseases such as laminitis.

While in the UK we use a system of zero to five, a one-to-nine system is used in the US, ranging from “poor” to “extremely fat”.

How to body condition score a horse

Make sure the horse is relaxed and standing as squarely as possible on a firm, level surface. You need to feel the fat cover in certain areas; you cannot just use your eye. Don’t wear gloves, as you need to be able to feel whether it is muscle or fat.

As horses store fat in different places, give them three score out of five for the neck and shoulder, one for the middle, and one for the hindquarters, and take an average. Try to be objective and consistent, using the guide below.

The scoring system is as follows:

0 Emaciated: showing a marked ewe neck, which is narrow at the base. The skin is tight over visible ribs and you can easily see the sharp spine and. The pelvis is angular, the skin tight and the rump is sunken. There will be a deep cavity under the tail and either side of the croup. Large gap between thighs.

1 Poor or underweight: ewe neck, narrow at the base. The ribs are visible. Skin shrunken either side of the spine, which is well defined. Rump sunken but skin supple, pelvis and croup well defined and cavity under the tail.

2 Moderate: ideal for fit racehorse or eventer. Neck narrow but firm, shoulder blade clearly defined. Ribs just visible. Spine well covered and the spinous processes felt but not seen. Rump flat not shrunken. Croup well defined with some fat. Slight cavity under tail.

3 Good: ideal for most show and leisure horses. Firm neck and no crest (bar stallions), defined shoulder blades. Ribs and spinous processes covered but easily felt. Pelvis rounded but easily felt.

4 Fat or overweight: slight crest, wide and spongy. Ribs well covered. Gutter along spine to root of tail with fat stored either side and an “apple-shaped” or “M-shaped” bottom when observed from behind. Pelvis covered and barely felt.

5 Obese: marked crest, very wide and firm with creases of fat. Shoulder blade and pelvis buried and difficult to feel. Cannot feel ribs. Deep gutter along spine to root of tail, back broad and flat. Marked apple (or M-shaped) bottom with distended skin. Inner thighs rubbing together.

Ideally you should check your horse’s body condition score on a fortnightly basis so that you can act on any weight gain or loss appropriately. This can be done in tandem with a weigh tape to monitor changes. While it is good for consistency to have the same person check the horse, it is advisable also to have another pair of eyes (and hands), as we can be biased towards our own horses.

Correct body condition scoring

Just as in humans, it’s tempting to pass off fat as muscle. If you are struggling to discern whether you are feeling fat or muscle on your horse, compare it to your upper arm – the bicep (muscle) feels different to the wobblier bit underneath the arm. Fat feels spongy or wobbly; muscle is firmer. However, dangerous crest fat can feel hard and firm.

Bear in mind, too, that natives store fat in different places to other horses. They tend to store it in pads behind their shoulders, so you should include this in your score – it may even out if they score lower in other areas.

When measuring the “middle” of the horse, pay attention to the ribs and the back. Horses don’t tend to store fat under their bellies, so this is not an accurate area to assess their weight.

Even if your horse is fit, if his body score is four or over, he is still fat. However, if he creeps up to four while on holiday or in the summer, this is less dangerous than horses that fluctuate according to the season. But any horse scoring four or above should lose weight. The Blue Cross advises that horses that are prone to laminitis should never be allowed to go over a score of two and a half, to ensure they are not carrying any excess fat.

Conversely, eventers and racehorses can look a little underweight when they are physically fit with well-developed muscles.

What is a Cresty Neck Score?

An additional tool is the Cresty Neck Score (CNS), which assesses the fat along the top of the horse’s neck, and uses the same grading as the UK body condition score, from zero to five. The crest fat is heavily influenced by breed (less common in thoroughbreds and more common in cobs — and stallions). A healthy CNS is zero to two, while a CNS of three or higher has been linked to an increased risk of laminitis and Equine Metabolic Syndrome.

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Months have hard work have paid off for four morbidly obese ponies, including one who needed to lose the equivalent of two adult humans in weight to become healthy.

World Horse Welfare’s Belwade Farm rescue and rehoming centre took in the ponies, whose owner was struggling to look after them after the death of her partner, their main carer.

“All four were coping with a number of welfare issues, including poor feet and parasite burdens, and all were morbidly obese,” a spokesman for the charity said.

“Excess weight is often overlooked as a welfare concern but being overweight puts horses at risk of a number of conditions, such as the excruciatingly painful and potentially fatal illness laminitis, as well as putting huge extra strain on their joints. Any horse coming into one of the charity’s Rescue and Rehoming Centres will need a long, slow rehabilitation and, if overweight, this can take many months.”

Five-year-old Bombay (pictured) weighed “an astonishing” 610kg on arrival. He and his companions Chancer, Max and Fontelroy were assessed and put on weight-loss programmes, with restricted diets and exercise gentle enough to avoid strain on their joints.

“After months of gradual weight loss, rehabilitation and learning basic handling and manners, essential to enable these ponies to be rehomed successfully, Max and Fontelroy are now happily rehomed together,” the spokesman said. “Bombay has recently been rehomed as a companion and Chancer, having returned to Belwade following his rehomer’s change in circumstances, is recovering from a small operation. It is hoped that once he has made a full recovery he will be available for rehoming once again.”

Belwade centre manager Eileen Gillen said that in many ways, it is harder to deal with overweight than underweight horses.

“It is a real challenge to help them lose weight and increase their mobility,” she said. “Weight loss is crucial but must be done slowly and carefully and it is likely that these ponies will need their diet manged carefully for the rest of their lives.

“Also, Bombay and Chancer, like so many of the ponies that come in, were not used to being handled, and hefty stallions will use their weight whenever they don’t want to cooperate. It’s a real testament to the teams here that these ponies came round so quickly and accepted handling and learned manners, making it easier for us to help them, but also ensuring that they have a future.”

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5 reasons why a subscription to HorseandHound.co.uk makes the perfect last-minute gift

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

SHOWING judges are more likely to be lenient towards overweight than to leaner horses – and are not always able to identify when an animal is carrying excess fat.

US research on judges’ attitudes towards equine weight, which involved sending a questionnaire and pictures of animals of different body condition, found that the proportion of respondents who said they would penalise a horse or pony for being too thin was significantly greater than the proportion who would give a similar penalty to an animal who was too fat.

More than half the respondents, all judges of whom 50% had over 20 years’ experience, agreed or answered “maybe” when asked if they would accept more fat coverage on a pony than on a horse.

The judges were sent 13 photos of horses and ponies, five of which had been classed as obese by experts, three overweight, two average and three thin.

Most of the judges – 77%, 87% and 89% – classed the three overweight horses as average, and 91% classed one of the average horses, who had a “faint outline of ribs visible” as thin.

“These data suggest that judges may be more lenient on overweight horses than lean horses, and are less likely to identify some overweight and obese animals,” stated the study, which was published in the Journal of Equine Veterinary Science.

Author Shannon Pratt Phillips, a professor of equine nutrition at North Carolina State University, told H&H excess weight is a major issue in the US, as it is in the UK.

She said previous research has found that 50 to 60% of US horses are overweight, about half of these obese.

“We thought owners and trainers are keeping these horses overweight for some reason; either they really don’t know the negative consequences of horses being overweight and obese, or they feel worried that if their horses aren’t in the condition judges want, they might be reprimanded,” she said.

“That came from a UK study, and the quote was something like that they felt they wouldn’t do well if the horse wasn’t in that condition.”

Another idea that came from a UK study was that owners felt they may get flack for having horses in leaner condition.

“So education on health is a big part of this, but we wanted to tackle the competition side of it,” Dr Pratt Phillips said. “So of course, we started with the judges. If we want change, we may need more education for judges.”

Dr Pratt Phillips said there is “very little in the rule books that says anything about the condition of the animal” in the US. In some states, horses may not compete if they are below four on a one to nine body condition scale, but there is no upper limit.

“You can imagine someone turning up with a skin and bone horse being told they’re not allowed to compete but you can’t imagine someone told they can’t because their horses are too fat,” she said.

Dr Pratt Phillips would like to see more consistency in what is classed as overweight and obese; she believes greater than six on the one-to-nine scale for the former, and greater than seven for the latter, but not everyone agrees.

“Very easily, people look at a skinny horse and say it’s not healthy but they don’t feel the same when they look at an obese horse, and I wish they would,” she said. “A horse who’s a three, without any other issues, has probably got a better prognosis than one who’s an eight.”

Dr Pratt Phillips also cited a study in which one group of dogs had lifelong ad lib food and another was given 70% of that amount, and on average, those in the second group lived two to three years longer.

She would like to see more education on the dangers of excess equine weight for judges, and work with such professionals, stewards and organisations on rules preventing obese horses from competing, as well as looking at having body condition-scoring experts at shows to assess animals.

Tamzin Furtado, who joined forces with The Horse Trust to give awards to the equid in the healthiest body condition in a number of classes at the Royal International this year told H&H it is “interesting but nor surprising” to see judges say they would penalise overweight and underweight animals.

“Our experience in the UK is similar,” she said. “The judges are, on the surface, aware of the issue of obesity in the show ring, and all of them say they dislike seeing overweight horses, and most have had training on condition scoring – as the results show is the case in the US also.”

Dr Furtado, whose PhD was on equine obesity and owner attitudes to it, said difficulties appear to come when looking at animals in the ring, as judges have to consider so many factors at once.

“When I look at some of the horses, the first thought in my mind is its weight because that’s my job,” she said. “To me, the weight is staring me in the face. But they’re trained through years of judging to look at conformation and all the other things, so weight can sometimes become a bit of a background extra, even though it seems strange to us that it can be overlooked.

“By the same token, I am sure each of us would not notice things that a judge very obviously would see. To them, perhaps a wonky leg or mismatched tack is staring them in the face.”

Dr Furtado found it positive that judges said they would want to penalise overweight horses, as has been the message from UK judges, so the question is how can judges be helped to see weight separately from other factors.

“From an outsider’s perspective, I find it amazing that there is rarely a clear marking system fed back to competitors,” she said. “One judge told me she did mark down overweight horses, but her competitors had no way of knowing that was why they’d been placed down the line unless she made the effort to go and tell them. A scheme that helps demarcate different factors, and includes marks for weight, could really help.

“I think workshops around condition scoring are all very well, but we can already see that they don’t necessarily help when the judge is actually doing their job in the ring. Our experience of standing with judges while they judge has helped both sides understand one another, and increased their awareness of weight because they have someone there, keeping it at the forefront of their minds.

“It is possible this could help longer term, perhaps coupled with new initiatives and mentoring, particularly of judges currently in training.

“But I think more work is needed, and ideally new ideas for tackling this issue should come from within the showing or judging field, since they will be able to design initiatives that are most practical and meaningful to them.”

Lucy Grieve, chairman of the British Equine Veterinary Association ethics and welfare committee, told H&H the research is important as it looks at the perception of equine obesity from those who are not owners, vets or other professionals.

“People like judges have a lot of clout, a lot of responsibility to do the right thing, in terms of welfare and ethics,” she said. “The judge’s decision has a huge impact on how horses are bred and kept, their value, in the short and long term. It’s nice to have some evidence for what we’ve suspected for a long time.

“This would show not just that there’s an issue with identifying obesity in the show ring, it appears there’s a degree of bias away from slimmer horses. We’re not just making obesity acceptable, we’re also implying that having ribs showing isn’t OK; what was a healthy condition was classified [in this study] as unhealthy, which isn’t true.

“We’ve shifted the whole range in the wrong direction. A slim horse doesn’t mean an unhealthy horse, quite the opposite, it’s probably healthy.”

Ms Grieve added that the industry needs to shift its view on what is normal and healthy.

“Those fat pads aren’t just innocuous, it’s not just that the horse is nicely rounded,” she said.

“We’ve got to be very honest; excess fat isn’t just an innocent, unfortunate state, it’s very damaging and harmful. It’s been said fat tissue acts like a poisonous organ, slowly leaking toxins into the body. Every minute it’s there, it’s causing damage. You have to get on top of these problems, not just leave them for another day.

“This study makes us realise how serious obesity is and how easily we dismiss it and get it wrong, even those who have been around horses for decades. We’re all just as vulnerable to being wrong and guilty of either ignoring or misinterpreting obesity and not doing anything about it when it’s staring us in the face.

“We’ve all got to take on the responsibility of doing something. This could be as serious as ignoring a tumour, and you wouldn’t do that.”

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THERE are hopeful signs that change is being made in the showing world regarding equine weight – but “we all need to keep on it”.

After a successful pilot in 2019, the Horse Trust and behaviour change specialist Tamzin Furtado of Liverpool University joined forces at the Royal International Horse Show (20–25 July) to assess the condition of horses and ponies. The animal in each class with the healthiest body condition was given an award.

The aim was to reward healthy condition, and spread the word on how best to maintain it.

Dr Furtado, whose PhD was on equine obesity and owner attitudes to it, told H&H the pilot involved hunter classes, entrants in which were more likely to be near ideal body condition, but this more extensive project involved more than 300 animals in 12 classes, from ponies to cobs.

“It was super-interesting,” she said. “It really highlighted that there is an issue with obesity in showing, but it’s not what people think it is.”

Dr Furtado said the scheme busted some myths; notably that all showing horses and ponies are fat. Although the smaller ponies and maxi cob classes “definitely had trends towards the upper ends of the condition-scoring scale”, this was not the case across the board.

This led her to believe that competitors may be aiming for an “ideal” weight based on the classes they contest, which means efforts can be targeted on where they are needed.

Another major finding was that there seems to be a “vicious circle” of competitors thinking judges prefer fatter horses, and feeling pressure to keep them that way, so judges in some cases have to place overweight animals, as they all are. Competitors then think they have done right by presenting fat horses.

Dr Furtado said judges told her they were not looking for fat horses, and all the judges and stewards they spoke to were very supportive of the scheme. One horse who was given the condition award won his class, and then his championship.

“The judges and producers were very clear about not wanting horses to be obese,” she said.

“I assumed it would be people who show as a hobby who had slimmer horses but quite a few who won the condition awards were professionals.

“The feedback was really good from competitors; we had several people saying they were more pleased with the condition award than being placed, as it meant more, and people saying they’d been fighting laminitis and worked really hard to get the horse to that condition, so they were really pleased to win.”

Dr Furtado said several producers said how pleased they were to see the initiative, and that one of the most positive outcomes was all the conversations, helping to spread the word.

“The overall message is that it was more positive than frightening; moving in the right direction,” she said.

“This is not to say that there is no issue with weight in showing. The proportion of overweight horses across the board was high, higher than the prevalence in the general population, which is already worrying; we all need to keep on it. Change is needed, as obesity is one of the biggest welfare issues in the UK. But as someone who went in with little knowledge of showing, I came away feeling like there was hope.

“My message to competitors based on this experience is: don’t be afraid to present your horse at the weight you know to be healthy.”

Condition award-winner Ballinclare, a five-year-old mare owned by Loraine Homer and ridden by Alice Homer, won the large intermediate show riding type and the supreme intermediate championship.

Alice said: “She often comes in at the end of winter with a bit of a tummy on her, but I don’t think that is unlike most mares.

“We spend most of the time keeping the weight off her, because I think they look classier, they look much better fit. I don’t think you want a show horse that looks like you couldn’t take it for a day’s hunting – she would keep up!”

British Equine Veterinary Association president Lucy Grieve told H&H the initiative is “shining the spotlight on what is healthy condition”, in an environment where there can be emphasis on excess weight.

“It’s important to do that, and reward those who are competing in showing but taking their horses’ health seriously, as paramount,” she said. “They won’t put their horses’ health in jeopardy to get more favour in the show ring, and it’s important they do that.

“It’s very much a work in progress and the more of this that’s done, at shows across the country, the better things will get.

“It’s also nice for those in showing who genuinely aren’t aware of the dangers they’re putting their horses in by having them overweight. The carrot approach to educating is to say, ‘You might not see the difference but this horse is a healthy weight, yours isn’t.’ That might give them the incentive, and open up the conversation.

“If some people could sometimes see first-hand the damage done to their horses’ bodies from being too heavy, they might think twice. Because it happens over time, and isn’t necessarily staring them in the face, it’s hard to associate it but that’s where we as vets can help them understand.”

The idea is to roll the scheme out over more shows next year.

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Many vets are seeing more fat horses and ponies than usual this year, and not just laminitics. H&H looks into the host of other negative effects excess equine weight can have

EXCESS equine weight can cause a host of performance-related and soundness issues as well as risk of dangerous illness, riders are reminded, as the number of fat horses seen by vets is on the up.

This summer’s combination of high rainfall and warm temperatures has meant an “explosion” of grass, and many horses and ponies are showing the effects.

And while H&H has frequently reported on the dangers of obesity-related illnesses, carrying excess pounds can have many more impacts.

“We talk so much about laminitis, maybe we get distracted and don’t think about the other issues,” British Equine Veterinary Association president Lucy Grieve told H&H. “I have had a lot of owners saying a horse has never had laminitis; maybe he’s one of the lucky ones but it doesn’t mean being overweight is OK. There are so many other reasons.”

Ms Grieve said that on a basic level, extra weight will put more strain on everything, from organs to joints. Overweight horses may be lethargic and less willing to work at their usual level.

“As someone put it, you wouldn’t strap a 50kg bag of feed to your horse before you rode it,” she said. “That’s massively detrimental, then to ask it to go cross-country or showjump; that’s pretty harsh, isn’t it?”

Ms Grieve mentioned the small size of horses’ legs and feet compared to their bodies; if these are then taking the extra pressure from more weight, it will mean more strain on bones, soft tissue and the hooves themselves. Foot conformation can also be affected; they can be encouraged to spread by the extra pressure but respond better to remedial farriery when the horse loses weight.

“I’ve seen a few horses where their abdomens are so big, and I get the impression their hind legs can’t move normally because of the sheer volume in front, and when they lose weight, they seem to trot normally. Hind leg action could be impeded by a distended abdomen,” she added.

Excess weight can affect saddle fit; Ms Grieve said she often sees poor fit and saddle movement on “roly-poly” horses as the fat changes where the saddle should go, or displacement of the girth, all of which can affect equine comfort, movement and performance. Excess weight will put more pressure on arthritic joints, causing pain and making them deteriorate more quickly, and also affect respiration so even horses in full work will be out of breath more easily.

“Carrying extra weight means the spine will sag, so things like kissing spine, or even horses with close spinal processes, will be more likely to develop pain and pathology,” she said, adding that being overweight can also affect horses’ mentality and willingness to work.

“And youngsters; I came across a two-year-old warmblood recently who was very fat and had been struggling with OCD [osteochondritis dissecans]; excessive calorie intake in growing horses increases the risk of OCD, which can cause quite severe joint pathology that can prevent an athletic career or mean they have to be put to sleep. Being a fit and healthy bodyweight early in life will set up for a much healthier future.”

Vet and chiropractor Laura Tollitt agreed there are “a lot of fat horses” about, often not laminitic but “starting to get a bit pottery”.

“It definitely affects them; they get more shuffly,” she told H&H. “Excess weight won’t do the joints any good, and it will change saddle fit.

“I’m desperately trying to lose weight myself and I hadn’t realised how much I was struggling, almost waddling round. Now I’ve lost a stone and a half the difference is amazing, and it’s the same for horses.

“If they’ve got extra fat pockets round the shoulders, for example, it will restrict how they move, and how the scapula moves; if you’re asking for extended trot, the extra fat pockets will make it a lot more difficult physically to extend and flex the leg.”

H&H vet Karen Coumbe said she has been seeing more overweight horses than normal; many are presented as lethargic, a bit short-striding or “pottery”, but this is a result of the excess weight.

“You can understand why,” she said. “If you’re suddenly a size 16 when you were a 12, it will be the same.”

Ms Grieve added though that although she is seeing more fat horses, she believes awareness of the issue is also on the up, which is key to tackling it.

“I, and other vets, are definitely getting more owners saying, ‘I know what you’re going to say, he’s overweight’; the awareness is getting there, which is really refreshing,” she said.

“Feedback from BEVA members recently has been the same; thanks to H&H and other publications, the issue is hitting headlines; what we’ve done so far has been really successful in bringing it into people’s minds, which is really good.”

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The owner of a healthy two-year-old colt who was deemed “too skinny” by a showing judge says she is concerned about the effects such comments could have.

Emma Louise Armstrong entered her Welsh section D Sangrug B That Fancy for an in-hand class at a local show on 11 July, having bought him as a foal to regain her confidence in showing, with dreams eventually of qualifying for Horse of the Year Show (HOYS).

She told H&H she asked someone else to show “Oakley” at his first competition, then took him to another local one herself.

“The feedback from that judge was lovely, and he did really well, so I had the adrenaline to keep showing him,” she said. “I really enjoyed it, and he’s such a sweet-natured colt, so I took him out again to a riding club show last weekend.

“It was all about getting my confidence back, and the judge ripped him to shreds.”

Emma Louise said the class entrants had walked, trotted and completed their individual shows when the judge made his comments.

“He said: ‘Is that a yearling?’ I said no, he’s two, and the judge said: ‘He can’t be a two-year-old, he’s far too skinny’.” she said.

Emma Louise said that having struggled to keep condition on Oakley, as he was unhappy at his first yard, he is now well covered, and “if anything, he’s a bit big”.

“It really disheartened me; I came out of the ring saying I wasn’t going to show him again,” she said. “I thought about sending him to a producer but my yard owner was saying it was only one person’s opinion, and not to let it get me down.

“I think he’s a good example of a section D and I don’t want to push him.”

H&H has reported a great deal on the high levels of equine obesity in the UK and the risks excess weight poses; Emma Louise is concerned that such comments made to some owners could have a negative effect on horse welfare.

“Can you imagine if that was a novice owner, or young person with their first horse?” she asked. “I was a novice once, and when I was 18 and with my first pony, if I’d heard a comment like that, I’d have gone and fed the pony up, thinking it was too skinny and end up with them being too big.”

She added: “I think everyone’s kind comments and support have given me the kick to carry on with him; I want him as my HOYS stallion.”

Showing condition awards

Showing competitors at the Prenetics Royal International Horse Show (RIHS) this week (21-25 July) will again have the chance to win special rosettes awarded to the animals with the healthiest body condition.

After successful trials of the scheme in 2019, including at the RIHS, behaviour change scientist Tamzin Furtado and the Horse Trust’s Jan Rogers will visit unaffiliated and affiliated shows, “providing friendly, supportive advice and guidance to owners, riders and producers, helping them to recognise the benefits of maintaining a healthy body condition”.

“Both local and on-site vets work in conjunction with the judges to score horses in the chosen classes and award a rosette to the healthiest body condition within the class,” a spokesman for the scheme said.

Showing Council chairman and RIHS director of showing David Ingle said: “Showing is keen to become more educational and we are in an era of great improvement in equine welfare, with increasing scrutiny under social licence. This initiative will help to shine a light on this important aspect of showing.”

Continues below…

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Dr Furtado added: “Horses who are overweight or cresty are often celebrated for their condition – and we want to slightly challenge that, by celebrating horses in ideal body condition.”

The British Equine Veterinary Association, among others, considers obesity to be one of the main welfare issues facing UK horses.

Ms Rogers said: “We get very upset by seeing photos of underweight horses in the media, but in reality, far more horses are obese than are underweight. This is very worrying for vets who are finding that they have to treat these horses with serious health conditions like equine metabolic syndrome and laminitis. People’s perceptions of what is a healthy weight have shifted towards higher body condition scores, and we would like to help to reset this balance”.

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A “grossly obese” horse more than 100kg overweight and suffering from laminitis was allowed unrestricted grass and fed extra hay – despite advice from welfare inspectors and vets about the same horse three years earlier.

Tracey Anne Woodward, 53, of Normanton Park, Chingford, appeared at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on 15-17 June. She was found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to part-bred Hackney gelding John, and failing to provide a suitable diet between 5 March and 5 May 2020.

Last year the RSPCA was contacted by a concerned member of the public about the health of the gelding. The charity attended on 5 May 2020 and found John in pain and suffering from laminitis, but still being grazed with no restrictions and fed extra hay.

A vet described John as “grossly obese” and estimated it would have taken several months for him to have reached the “state” he was in. John was taken into possession by the police after the vet certified he was suffering, and he was transported to a vet hospital.

“His body condition could have been so easily avoided if he had been managed differently by his owner and had his grazing restricted,” said RSPCA inspector Jessica Hayes, who investigated the case.

“It’s really sad that he was allowed to become so hugely overweight, especially as we had previous dealings with Woodward in respect of a similar situation [involving John in 2017] when veterinary and dietary advice was provided, so she knew John’s needs could be met.”

The gelding has since been rehabilitated by Redwings and the judge granted a deprivation order so he can now be rehomed.

“When you read stories about neglect, it is often images of emaciated ponies that hit the headlines, but obesity is a serious welfare issue and we’re pleased it has been recognised with this conviction,” said Nic de Brauwere, Redwings’ head of welfare and behaviour.

“An overweight horse can suffer very significantly, and obesity can also lead to painful conditions such as laminitis, which John was experiencing.”

Mr de Brauwere said during John’s time at the sanctuary he has steadily returned to a healthy weight, which involved losing 124kg in “unnecessary fat”.

“This equates to him carrying 27 per cent more weight than his optimal healthy weight. This was done with John’s mental wellbeing carefully considered, with our team making huge and creative efforts to ensure he was kept occupied and had plenty to eat while still losing weight,” said Mr de Brauwere.

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“This once unhappy, frustrated and tetchy individual is now a much more relaxed, active and engaging horse.”

In mitigation, the court heard that the defendant’s actions were described as “misplaced or ignorant”.

Woodward was banned from keeping equines for three years. She was ordered to pay £8,000 costs and a £97 victim surcharge. She was also fined £875.

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Opinion

I was disappointed to read some negative comments on social media recently about a pony looking “unhappy” wearing a grazing muzzle. The pony had lost lots of weight – and I really take my hat off to the owner, losing weight is not an overnight task and it takes a lot of dedication – so to see negative comments about this fantastic achievement is so disheartening.

Laminitis is an emotive subject – and perhaps even more so is the topic of weight. Vets, farriers and welfare charities are working hard to support owners with information and advice, but as owners, we also need to do our bit. This might be taking advice on trimming or shoeing, or making adjustments to the management of our horses – which can be hard when we have managed them in a certain way previously.

My first experience of laminitis was as a child with my first pony Phoenix. He had suffered laminitis in the past and we knew when taking him on we would have to watch his weight carefully. One summer he came down with a mild case and I remember being so upset that my pony had got ill. He made a full recovery, and during the seven years I had him it was only one occurrence, but it was something that stayed with me.

Now as an owner of two miniature Shetlands, Mootie and Poppet, laminitis is always on my radar. They regularly wear grazing muzzles in summer – and sometimes winter too – and when they are not wearing their muzzles, they are in a bare paddock with some hay. They thankfully have never had laminitis but I know I cannot take my eye off the ball, no matter what time of year.

And that’s what made my Connemara/Irish sport horse mare Chloe developing acute laminitis in November 2019 a bitter pill to swallow. I turned her out one morning looking like her normal self, but when I took her in that evening, she was extremely uncomfortable and had a very “typical” laminitic stance. I got the vet, and before she could say the words, I knew Chloe had come down with laminitis.

I didn’t think Chloe, who was then seven, was particularly overweight and with winter ahead I thought we had time for her to lose some pounds before spring. I can’t help but think, could it have been prevented if she had been slimmer, and was this a failure on my part? She spent four weeks on box rest, on a lot of pain medication and she had regular trims from my farrier, which were difficult given how uncomfortable she was – but absolutely key to her recovery.

With time, hard work from my farrier and a huge amount of support from my vet, Chloe made a full recovery. But it was a harsh reality and some real lessons were learnt on my part. Now Chloe wears a muzzle when necessary, and perhaps the biggest thing has been having regular discussions with my farrier and vet about her weight. Those tricky conversations are no longer tricky and for me are so important to keeping her on the right track.

Our journey certainly wasn’t easy – and of course there are no guarantees it will never occur again, which is frightening. So more than ever I feel for owners who are dealing with horses and ponies with laminitis, or trying to help their animals lose weight. We all want our horses to be healthy and happy. But when we are talking about laminitis in overweight horses and ponies, we have to accept that preventative actions aren’t always going to be rosy. Grazing muzzles, diets, and restricted grazing can sound “mean”, for want of a better word, but I wholeheartedly agree with British Equine Veterinary Association president Lucy Grieve that “Food restriction is not as cruel as laminitis. Being clipped out and not wearing a rug is not as cruel as laminitis.”

Of course there are other preventative measures that people can take; track systems are being recommended more and I’ve seen some really fantastic set-ups. But we have to remember a track isn’t always possible at home, or at a livery yard. Using a grazing muzzle isn’t a lazy option or a quick fix, sometimes it’s a necessity. If owners are taking steps to prevent laminitis, or reduce their horses’ and ponies’ weight then they should be congratulated, not made to feel they are being cruel. While in a dream scenario I would love to see my mares grazing carefree on lush green fields, the reality is that could kill them, so for me it’s muzzles for the win.

No one has said laminitis is a simple condition; we know it can occur for a multitude of reasons such as PPID, equine metabolic syndrome, even stress.

Article continued below…

‘Reluctance and ignorance can mean signing horses’ death warrants’: top vet busts laminitis myths

Changing conversations to save equine lives *H&H Plus*

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My thoroughbred gelding Archie developed laminitis when he was in hospital with an infection and being treated with steroids. He never came home from the hospital and I lost him to toxaemia – and while laminitis played a part, the outcome wasn’t anyone’s fault. Some cases sadly can’t be prevented – but in the cases of overweight horses and ponies this is something we can be proactive about.

While it’s great to see people discussing horse welfare and sharing tips with each other online, we can’t ignore expert advice. Vets and farriers aren’t pointing fingers and blaming owners – but they are there, with years of training, to look out for the welfare of animals. Vets are sometimes unfairly accused of “money grabbing” yet if we choose to ignore what they tell us about obesity and management, then surely that’s a surefire way of paying more vet bills, when we are calling them out to treat a case of laminitis?

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“Magic” shoes, supplements and leg wraps will not cure equines with laminitis unless the root cause of the condition is addressed, a leading vet has warned.

In an attempt to bust some of the myths circulating, at yards and on social media, British Equine Veterinary Association president Lucy Grieve has spoken to H&H about the realities of treating the painful and potentially fatal condition.

Lucy, who had to put down two otherwise healthy but laminitic horses this week, said she has seen and heard many owners talk about “cold-induced laminitis”, although there is no evidence to suggest that cold weather can induce the disease.

“What’s more likely is that in cold weather, the horses end up stabled more, eating more feed and hay, moving less, not being exercised as much and so on, and these things actually just tip them over the edge. They were already on a knife-edge,” she said.

“The average laminitis case does not happen overnight, they are always teetering on the edge with their insulin peaking out and their laminar tissues ready to go into meltdown.”

Some owners believe wrapping horses’ legs can help, but Lucy believes this may be linked to the cold weather myth.

“Laminitis will not get better unless the primary cause/driving factor is being addressed,” she said.

“Owners often want to put them in Imprint shoes, put them on ‘magic’ supplements, feed celery and so on, when they haven’t started treating the PPID [Cushing’s] with Prascend, or started a weight loss program to get rid of the fat pads.

“Reluctance and ignorance can mean signing a horse’s death warrant. It’s very sad, but all too often true.”

Lucy said some owners refuse to have a laminitic horse’s feet trimmed as they are too sore.

Continues below…

Weight perception must change as equines live on laminitis ‘knife edge’

‘Think before you rug’: winter welfare plea to horse owners

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“But every additional second that horse has an excess millimetre of toe on its foot, it is pulling and tugging and levering away the fragile lamina tissue and making the laminitis ever more impossible to recover from,” she said. “It is so important to get the toes off, as short as possible without causing more pain, otherwise you are fighting a losing battle.”

She added: “Calories, calories, calories — count the calories. The horse won’t recover from fat-induced laminitis until the fat has gone.

“Food restriction is not as cruel as laminitis. Being clipped out and not wearing a rug is not as cruel as laminitis.”

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade to access our H&H Plus online service which brings you breaking news as it happens as well as other benefits.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

A new resource aimed at helping vets help owners in the fight against equine obesity covers how to get the most important conversation started. H&H speaks to those behind the initiative

NEW resources for vets are aimed at helping practitioners have potentially difficult conversations about obesity with owners – which may help save horses’ lives.

This latest weapon in the fight against the UK’s equine obesity epidemic, one of a number of resources available for vets on the British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) website, is a collection of ways to bring up the issue of weight in a manner that will have the best effect.

It sets out phrases a vet may say and what is meant by them, but also what an owner might understand. For example, if the vet says: “He looks like he’s been on the grass”, meaning “he is fat”, the owner may not realise this is a problem.

The table was created by research associate Tamzin Furtado, who completed a PhD on management of equine obesity, focusing on horse-human relationships and human behaviour change.

Dr Furtado told H&H she put it together after conversations with professionals including vets and farriers, who said obesity was a hard topic to introduce.

“We did some focus groups with vets, who said it was easier not to bring it up as they knew it would be a nightmare, or owners wouldn’t listen, but owners had told me something different,” she said.

“The owners said if the vet didn’t bring up a horse’s weight, they thought it must be fine. I wanted to highlight the mismatch; vets need to bring it up or many owners assume they’re happy.”

All the phrases included as examples of how not to start the conversation have been said to owners, who highlighted their understanding of the comments to Dr Furtado. Others include “He’s at risk of laminitis while carrying this much weight”, meaning: “This is urgent, please act now”, but which the owner interpreted as “The vet’s mean; he’s always been like this”.

Alternatives include asking owners what they think of their horses’ weight, or “blaming BEVA” by saying BEVA wants vets to condition-score horses, and “would you like us to go through that now?”

Dr Furtado said getting owners involved in this way is key.

“It’s an approach called motivational interviewing, used by GPs and developed in addiction counselling for humans,” she said. “There’s a massive evidence base behind it but in short, if you want people to change their behaviour, the best way is to empower them to find out their reasons for wanting to change; not to tell them, but to involve them in the conversation.”

BEVA president Lucy Grieve told H&H the hope is that vets in general will be more proactive on obesity.

“We identified that while we can be good at owner-bashing, vets can absolutely also be rubbish at saying, ‘Your horse is fat,’” she said. “If it was a cut leg, we’d say it as it was and hopefully do something about it, but because of the taboo around obesity, in every species, no one wants to talk about it.”

Ms Grieve noted that there is no “one size fits all” solution; that many vets will be happy bringing up the subject, and that the reception will also vary between owners.

She said one reason it can be a thorny subject is that it could be seen as criticism of the way an owner is caring for a horse, similarly to telling parents their children are overweight.

“And if you say, ‘Your horse is fat’, it almost implies the owner doesn’t know what they’re talking about,” she said. “If you treat it like a common enemy, you can start the journey together.”

Ms Grieve said so much of the battle is about people skills, and agreed that the best approach is involving owners and making it a team effort, as weight management is very challenging.

“You don’t want to teach people to suck eggs but if the owner says, ‘He is a bit fat’, you can say, ‘Yes he is; what shall we do about it?’” she said.

“Some vets are great at this but if we can give the others some more tools and tips, it might save a huge number of horses from suffering and pain. There’s so much we can do about obesity; we could have a real impact if we can just crack this nut.”

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What can you personally do to help in the fight against the equine obesity epidemic?

This was the question asked of all of us at the National Equine Forum yesterday (4 March).

The virtual conference covered topics from Brexit to diversity to road safety, and also returned to the topics of two associated webinars, held in January.

One of these was The Great Weight Debate (Equine), a discussion featuring a horse owner, a vet, a livery yard manager, a nutritionist, an equine welfare officer and Showing Council chairman David Ingle.

Tamzin Furtardo, whose PhD was on equine obesity and owners’ attitudes towards it, and who was also present for that webinar, summed up the issues raised in the discussion, including the prevalence of images of overweight horses, leading to a perception than fat is normal, confusion over what to feed and the challenges of managing horses who need to lose weight.

“All of us — every single one of us, including me, have been part of creating this world our horses live in, so we’ve all been part of the problem,” she said. “But that means we can also all be part of creating the solution.”

Dr Furtado said our horses live in an obesogenic environment, or one set up in such a way, it becomes very likely the animals or people living in it will become overweight.

“We’ve been unravelling all these different strands that have contributed to creating that obesogenic environment,” she said. “So how can we move forward?”

Dr Furtado said all of us should recognise the part we can play, whatever our role in the equestrian world.

“But we need to change our behaviour,” she added.

“We can empower each other to help change things for their horses; even if you haven’t got an overweight horse, you can help other people feel it’s acceptable to achieve weight management. One thing discussed at the webinar was peer pressure, on livery yards and social media, in terms of weight management.

“People tell others they’re cruel by not rugging horses, or using grazing muzzles, and that makes it difficult for the owner, even though they know they’re doing what’s best for the horse’s welfare. We can support each other rather than having that negative pressure.”

Dr Furtado said owners should ask professionals about their horses’ weight at every opportunity, and be ready to take the answers on board and accept it if told the horse is overweight. The professionals, such as vets and farriers, should be working with owners rather than blaming them, and be open and honest, so owners can be open in return.

“Livery yard owners and managers have a really important role,” she added, explaining that helping owners with weight management can make a huge difference, such as providing low-grass areas and flexible management options.

Charities can, and have been, helping vets have the difficult conversations about excess weight, while competition governing bodies should have clear plans on tackling obesity, and help judges and stewards feel able to have conversations with owners of overweight animals at shows.

Continues below…

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“If you’re a stakeholder not mentioned, there are still absolutely important things for you to do,” Dr Furtado said.

“The NEF has been fantastic in bringing us together and providing the platform, and now it’s up to us, as individuals, organisations, professionals, to find ways to move forward.

“Things are already happening but we’ve got a long way to go, so I’d like to leave you with this question: no matter what your role is, what are you going to change, to help in this obesity epidemic?”

What do you find challenging in managing horses’ weight? Email hhletters@futurenet.com for your chance to be featured on our letters page. The letter of the week wins a bottle of Champagne Taittinger.

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade to access our H&H Plus online service which brings you breaking news as it happens as well as other benefits.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Obesity is seen by many vets as the number one welfare issue affecting British horses. H&H speaks to owners about the challenges they face, and vets for their expert opinion on the matter

PERCEPTION of equine weight needs to change, vets have warned, as hundreds of equids could be existing on the knife-edge of potentially fatal laminitis.

H&H has reported on the equine obesity epidemic in Britain, which is thought by leading vets to be one of the major welfare issues affecting the national herd.

This week, two owners of laminitic ponies have shared their experiences and fears.

Miranda Wallace, who shows Dartmoors, told H&H she had thought she was taking enough precautions to keep laminitis at bay and weight under control, such as strip-grazing, weighing hay and feeding minimal concentrates. Then last September, two of her ponies started showing symptoms. The younger pony recovered fast but the older, Honey, was hit hard.

“We thought we were going to lose him,” she said. “I’d never seen a pony like that, and never want to again, it was horrific.”

Thanks to an “exceptional” farrier and vet care, and a huge amount of effort on Miranda’s part, 21-year-old Honey pulled through and is now, after a long fight, coming back into work.

Miranda said the incident has made her question how many other ponies are in a similar situation. She believes the trigger of the episodes was a batch of different hay.

“[Vet] Dave Rendle told me they were probably borderline anyway, and the hay just tipped them over the edge,” she said. “How many other show ponies, and ponies in general, are ticking time bombs, literally living on a knife edge?

“Dave said so many clients talk about ‘a bit of lami’, and that the pony ‘has it all the time’. I think they’re being blase and not giving it the respect it deserves.

“For showing, they’re expected to look plump and rounded, but what effect is that having? We have to be on it; something needs to happen.”

Natalie Reed’s 12-year-old Connemara mare, Abbey, is also recovering from laminitis, and Natalie said it has been hard work keeping her weight under control.

She praised her “fantastic” yard owner, who has helped by allocating the pony a field on old pasture, and allowing a track system to be set up, but the former beef farm is mainly on rye grass, which is high in sugar.

“It’s a constant battle,” she said. “We’re lucky to have year-round grazing, but really, Abbey should be on a mountain in Ireland.”

Natalie added that although her yard staff have been very helpful, other people’s comments have been less supportive.

“Last summer, she’d been on and off box rest since January, and I’d got her weight right down,” she said. “The vet said it was a good weight for her, but I had comments from other people. It’s very hard to hear a friend say, ‘I’m a bit worried and maybe you’ve gone too far.’

“My horsey friends are lovely and it came from the right place but it’s hard when everyone wants to do the best by their horse and to hear that someone thinks you’re not really hurts.”

Natalie believes people believe carrying excess weight is “how native ponies should look”, having been accustomed to seeing overweight animals, and so see those at a healthy weight as too lean.

British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) president Lucy Grieve agrees that perception needs to change, and that well-meaning onlookers can sometimes hinder owners’ efforts.

“We’ve been trying to get owners to leave rugs off overweight horses, and clip them, to help weight loss, then their friends are saying it’s cruel,” she told H&H. “Some people are so critical when others are trying to do right by their animal, just because it’s not what they do.”

Ms Grieve said novice owners especially can fall victim to livery yard and online “experts”, and that the best advice for owners is always to seek help from professionals, such as vets and nutritionists.

In terms of perception, she has moved away from body condition scoring, instead showing owners their horses’ fat pads, asking them to feel them, so they realise the excess weight is there, and can monitor its changes.

“I’ve had owners asking me, in the last year, if there horses are too fat, so I’d like to think there’s slow behaviour change going on,” she said. “If there’s awareness and questioning, that’s amazing and we need to ride the crest of that wave, and keep putting the message out there.”

BEVA health and medicines committee chairman Mr Rendle told H&H he has seen numerous clients who admit to keeping their ponies on the brink of laminitis in order to show them.

“There’s a perception that that’s how horses are supposed to look, when they’re clearly not,” he said.

“People always want to be slim but seem to want horses to be fat; we need to celebrate horses as athletes, and celebrate athleticism rather than roundness.

“There’s plenty of evidence from paediatric and small-animal medicine that loving something equates to feeding, but we’re killing our horses with kindness.”

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This week's National Equine Forum webinar covered the major welfare issue of equine obesity. H&H finds out what the challenges are in successful weight loss, and how to overcome them

EDUCATION, awareness and working together on an individually tailored approach to weight loss are the key to winning the war against equine obesity.

This was the consensus of experts at a webinar run as part of the 2021 National Equine Forum (NEF), on 27 January. Titled

“The great weight debate (equine)”, the session looked at different perspectives on managing horses’ weight.

Chairing the discussion, NEF vice-chairman Pat Harris said it is thought some 30% of UK equids are obese, and the figure could be 70% for native breeds.

Giving a horse vet’s view, British Equine Veterinary Association president Lucy Grieve said a big issue is the lack of understanding and awareness of equine obesity and its impact on welfare.

“I had to learn the hard way, like some owners,” she said. “That was all too palpable when euthanising otherwise healthy horses because of their fat, which had slowly poisoned their bodies.

“I felt sick at the realisation of how preventable these deaths were. But trying to warn owners of the risks was often difficult and ineffective.”

Ms Grieve said some owners do not see excess weight, or that it is a problem. Others know it is a problem, but do not know how to remedy it.

“I had my work cut out trying to get owners to recognise obesity, accept it without taking offence, understand the horrific consequences if nothing was done, and empowering them to do something and stick to it,” she said.

Ms Grieve said a big challenge is the vet-owner relationship; vets risk upsetting clients or losing them to other practices, so some vets will “shy away” from the subject.

“If we’re honest with ourselves, this is neglect,” she said.

“I doubt many vets would walk away from an emaciated horse, or an infected wound, so why are we so willing to walk away from these ticking time bombs?”

Ms Grieve said vets must keep their knowledge up to date and be proactive in disseminating appropriate knowledge. She wants to see more vet-owner engagement, adding that perhaps a “brutal” campaign highlighting the painful deaths suffered by horses with laminitis may help owners who do not want to engage, and said this is an opportunity for vets to work with other professionals to tailor individual plans for each horse and owner, taking all factors into account.

“If we’re to save that horse’s life, we must find a solution that works for horse and owner, and support the owner every step of the way,” she said.

As the owner of a “good doer”, Helen Gale spoke of issues such as some owners’ inability to distinguish between fat and muscle, horses on yards spending more time stabled in winter, with hay, often over-rugged.

“Do we really know how many calories we’re feeding, are we using too many rugs and do our horses do enough work for the food they get?” she asked, adding that opportunities to exercise horses can also be limited in winter.

She spoke of owners’ asking questions on weight or feed on social media, instead of consulting experts, and getting hundreds of responses, and of the peer pressure on yards when an owner is trying to rug or feed a horse less.

“Be truthful when assessing your horse and beware of ‘experts’ on social media,” she said. “Feed what your horse needs and monitor his weight with body condition scoring and weigh tapes. Don’t be afraid to ask for professional advice.”

Yard owner Beth Maloney said it can be hard to balance owners’ expectations with their horses’ nutritional needs, such as convincing owners that reducing their horses’ feed is for their benefit. She added that she has seen a growing number of owners who are happy to have horses carrying more weight, but that a nutritionist visits her yard frequently to weigh and condition-score the horses, so any trends are clear.

She said trust, communication and transparency are vital, as is seeking advice from the vet and nutritionist.

A discussion covered topics such as owners’ helping each other; putting hay in at different times to spread out an obese horse’s food, for example, and spreading positive messages or attempts to promote a healthy body shape on their own social media.

Nutritionist Liz Bullock pointed out that although many owners know exactly the composition of their hard feed, grass and hay or haylage contributes far more calories, and better understanding of this is important.

Showing Council chairman David Ingle said “a lot of work” has been carried out in showing on the issue, with more to come.

He said the council could put a page on its website signposting riders to the right information, and that it would talk about adding the topic to member bodies’ agendas, including helping judges have difficult conversations.

“I’m sure by talking about this, we’ll be able to come up with a much better way forward,” he said, adding that the council has a big part to play in disseminating helpful information to help those riders who need it.

World Horse Welfare field officer Penny Baker said what is commonly seen as the right weight is “causing problems”, adding that society does not judge owners of fat horses in the same way emaciated horses’ owners are seen.

She said overweight and over-rugged horses are often seen as well loved, and that far fewer overweight horses are reported to the charity than thin ones, although it takes far longer to rehabilitate the former than the latter, if there are no other major issues.

Ms Baker said some owners may know the issue is there but cannot admit it, that lifestyles and facilities often need to be changed, which is challenging. Other owners believe horses are not overweight, “conditioned by what has become the norm”.

World Horse Welfare has had success with human behaviour change techniques, in which staff are trained, to have an impact on horse welfare. Citing the success of groups in human weight loss, Ms Baker asked whether equine weight loss groups on social media could help.

Researcher Tamzin Furtardo said key is empowering owners to make change, rather than “telling them a horse has an issue and expecting them to do something”, along with teamwork and better communication.

Ms Grieve said key in developing a weight loss plan is listening to the owner and taking into account all the elements of a horse and owner’s situation.

“I’d like owners to see this as an exciting challenge; a positive thing they can do for their horses,” she said.

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The social behaviour of horses living in herds can influence their body condition, a study has indicated.

It is hoped the research, conducted by the University of Bristol and the Royal Veterinary College, in collaboration with Spillers through the Waltham equine studies group, could help address problems associated with equine obesity.

Previous studies have found that social status of animals in social groups may influence their foraging success but there has been no research into the significance of other social factors on either foraging efficiency or body condition score (BCS).

This research, published in PeerJ, investigated 20 separate domestic equine herds.

The team measured each equid’s social dominance and, during 120 hours of observation, recorded the duration and frequency of interruptions to grazing, as well as the cause of the interruptions; classing them as vigilance, movement, social displacements given or received, scratching and startling.

They found the frequency of vigilance was the interruption behaviour most strongly associated with body condition; higher vigilance was linked to a lower BCS.

“Most owners and keepers know that individual horses and ponies experience different positives and negatives when living in groups,” said Spillers’ marketing, research and development director Clare Barfoot.

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“This is why we tend to choose field companions carefully so that a balanced and harmonious relationship can be maintained within the herd.”

“These results are novel and exciting in that they present the first behavioural evidence to confirm previous theoretical work. Neither the more vigilant nor the more frequently disturbed individuals compensated for their reduction in feed (energy) intake by spending more time foraging, which probably explains the link with lower body condition.

“We hope what we have learnt about the behaviour of individual horses when kept in groups could be included as a relevant factor when addressing health problems associated with equine obesity.”

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade to access our H&H Plus online service which brings you breaking news as it happens as well as other benefits.

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Owners have been warned to be vigilant about laminitis this autumn, as factors combine to create a “perfect storm” for the potentially fatal disease.

Animal charity Blue Cross is reminding owners to be on the alert to the painful condition; all horses and ponies can be susceptible, although those who are overweight are at greater risk, and the most dangerous times are when the grass is growing.

“The combination of sun and rain we have been experiencing in most of the UK recently, coupled with many horses still out on summer pasture, significantly raises the risk factor for laminitis,” said Blue Cross horse welfare supervisor Clare Bevins.

“Add to the mix the fact some owners may still be struggling with their horses’ weight given limitations on riding during the pandemic, and potentially we have the perfect storm for laminitis.”

The charity has shared the story of rescue pony Piglet, a six-year-old obese 11.2hh mare, who suffered a severe bout of laminitis in autumn 2018, hoping it will inspire owners to act.

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The skewbald mare, who had pedal bone rotation in both front feet, had four months’ box rest and specialist vet and farrier treatment, including fortnightly trims and pads, and was put on a strict diet.

“Six months after returning to Blue Cross, X-rays showed that both front pedal bones looked normal,” a spokesman for the charity said. She has now been rehomed as a lead rein pony with a family who are very strict over her diet and exercise.

“Piglet was one of the fortunate ones – her laminitis was caught early and immediate steps taken to treat the disease under the supervision of a vet and a remedial farrier,” said Ms Bevins.

“Prevention of laminitis is always better than cure.”

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade to access our H&H Plus online service which brings you breaking news as it happens as well as other benefits.

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Three grossly obese Shetland pony stallions will begin their “difficult recovery” thanks to their rescue by a welfare charity.

The Horses and Ponies Protection Association (HAPPA) was alerted to the 17-year-old stallions, in Cumbria, by a member of the public. On investigation, the ponies were found to be unhandled and grossly overweight, with extremely overgrown hooves. They were taken to the charity’s Shores Hey Farm, Lancashire, on 31 July.

HAPPA equine inspector Tracy Heaton said this type of rescue does not happen often.

“The majority of the time I respond to equines who are underweight. In an extreme contrast, these three are so overweight that we needed to act immediately to ensure we put an end to their suffering,” she said.

“It is the owner’s responsibility to ensure their animals don’t get this overweight, it is animal cruelty. As with humans the effects on health can be catastrophic.”

Tracy added the temporary carer of the ponies didn’t have the knowledge to meet their needs, and she was told the owner had died from Covid-19.

“It was agreed by all concerned they needed to be signed into the care of HAPPA to prevent further suffering,” she said.

Kelly Laird, senior equine care officer, said it will be a “difficult recovery” ahead for stallions who have been named Samson, Sunny and Sol.

“We will have to manage their weight to ensure they still receive enough nutrients, but begin to lose weight. We will also have to slowly introduce exercise to their daily routine while monitoring their heart and respiratory rates,” she said.

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‘We really need people to share Lottie’s details as much as possible with their horsey and non-horsey friends, and to

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“I have never seen ponies this fat before. My wish is to get them healthy and happy so they have a long, healthy life and can go on to find the perfect for-ever home.”

A HAPPA spokesman added the stallions will receive a bespoke rehabilitation plan to begin their weight loss and will receive farriery treatment. The charity is appealing for donations to help purchase an equine weighbridge.

“Weight management is crucial for both the Shetlands and for all the horses and ponies in our care. A weigh bridge will give an accurate measurement of the ponies’ weight over the coming months to ensure they are on target,” she said.

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Replacing some hay with straw could be an important weapon in the fight against equine obesity, a new study has shown.

Redwings Horse Sanctuary and researchers at the University of Edinburgh hope their study, published in leading journal Veterinary Record, will help owners manage horses’ weight in winter, and so reduce the risk of weight-related welfare issues.

In a trial at Redwings, 40 overweight native-breed equids living out were divided into two groups: group A was fed 50% hay and 50% straw, while group B was fed solely hay. All were unrugged and had no extra exercise.

“As the UK’s largest horse sanctuary, Redwings cares for a large population of native ponies,” said a charity spokesman. “Their diets are often supplemented with hay during the winter when the grass is poor, but the charity’s vets were concerned that some ponies were gaining weight, which was putting them at a higher risk of laminitis in the spring and summer.

“They decided to team up with researchers at the University of Edinburgh to see if they could come up with a way to safely encourage weight loss in these ponies over the winter, so when they started to enjoy the spring grass, the additional weight they naturally gain wouldn’t have such an impact on their hormones.”

The ponies given 50% straw lost an average of 27kg between December 2018 and March 2019, while of the 15 fed just hay, only three lost weight and the rest gained it, putting on an average of 6kg. The weight changes were classed as statistically significant.

Roxane Kirton, who undertook the study while working as a welfare vet at Redwings, said: “This was a significant result for Redwings, and will hopefully be a useful study for all owners of native ponies, as we had previously found it very difficult to help this particular group lose weight.

“With such a large horse population to care for, we can’t and don’t want to put every pony on a crash diet. Restricting food has such an impact on a horse’s behaviour and welfare, so we were keen to look at more creative, long-term management options. When discussing human obesity, we often talk about making sustainable lifestyle changes and it shouldn’t be any different for horses.”

Continues below…

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There were no incidents of colic reported in either group during the research period.

Ruth Morgan, co-author of the study and researcher at the University of Edinburgh, added: “Straw is much lower in calories than hay and it takes horses longer to eat it as it is less digestible. Both these features are great, for weight loss and for the welfare of the horses, who like to eat for up to 20 hours a day.

“We’ve all watched horses scoff all their hay allowance in a short period of time and then stand watching us by the gate. Feeding straw occupies the horses for much longer but without increasing their calorie intake. We would, however, warn owners to make sure their ponies’ teeth are in good shape before introducing straw as it does take more chewing — this will also reduce the risk of colic. We hope the success of the trial means this research will go on to help even more ponies.”

We continue to publish Horse & Hound magazine weekly during the coronavirus pandemic, as well as keeping horseandhound.co.uk up to date with all the breaking news, features and more. Click here for info about magazine subscriptions (six issues for £6) and access to our premium H&H Plus content online.

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Rugged, thrifty, sure-footed… Certain characteristics spring to mind at the mention of native ponies. These qualities, honed through centuries of hard, physical work and exposure to the toughest environments, have made our home-grown ponies popular around the globe.

But are modern-day animals as hale and hearty as their ancestors? We asked veterinary experts to outline the state of our natives’ health and to highlight the challenges they face…

Trouble afoot

Native pony breeds are typically blessed with quality feet, according to Richard Stephenson MRCVS of Pool House Equine Clinic.

“Their hooves tend to be slightly more upright, with better heels, than in some of the larger breeds where the thoroughbred has had more influence,” explains Richard. “The Shetland has small, hard feet with soles that are more oval in shape. They rarely require shoeing, yet all too often suffer hoof-care neglect as a result.

“While many natives manage well without shoes, their hooves still need trimming by a qualified farrier [DipWCF, or above] at eight-week intervals or less,” adds Richard. “Where shoeing is necessary, thought must be given to how the pony moves. The lightest possible shoe is usually applied for showing, as heavier shoes tend to give choppier movement.”

Following the emergence of hoof wall separation disease (HWSD) in the Connemara pony, genetic testing for this inherited condition has become more readily available. HWSD, which is caused by a recessive gene, can lead to the wall splitting away from underlying structures.

“A foal must inherit one copy of the HWSD gene from each parent before he will show signs of the disease,” says Richard, explaining that a pony can be a carrier while remaining unaffected.

“The Connemara Society has been proactive in seeking to eliminate this devastating disease from the breed and requires all foals to be tested before registration. The safest option when breeding from a Connemara mare is to use a completely negative stallion.”

Build quality

“These ‘working class’ members of the equine community have historically fulfilled multiple roles,” says Dr Rebecca Hamilton-Fletcher of Endell Equine. “Harness animals, such as the Fell, Dales and Welsh Cob, pulled and towed, while pack animals, including the Highland, Shetland and Exmoor, carried heavy loads across inhospitable terrain. Others, namely the New Forest, Connemara and Welsh ponies, developed under saddle for shepherding and hunting.

“Natives were thus never intended for speed, power or extreme athleticism,” she explains. “Instead, they evolved for strength, hardiness, stamina, agility, soundness and longevity — and their conformation reflects this.”

Many excellent conformational attributes remain, says Rebecca, common to all native breeds — from a deep chest offering ample heart room to short cannons with hard, flat bone, strong hindquarters and a good width and depth of jaw.

“There are also numerous breed-specific differences, which the breed societies work hard to maintain and promote,” she adds.

Their original duties may be largely obsolete, yet natives are in demand as riding ponies and for the increasingly popular mountain and moorland showing scene.

“This surge in competitive use has resulted in certain traits being selectively bred for and in some cases exaggerated, with worrying health implications,” says Rebecca. “An example is the excessive ‘dishing’ of the Welsh section A head profile, leading to increased dental problems. Magnified knee and hock action in some of the harness breeds can result in more joint and soft tissue ‘wear and tear’-type lamenesses, while a tendency to refine the riding pony-type breeds threatens the native pony toughness and sturdiness that defined them in the first place.

“Our native breeds are admired worldwide for their inherent strength and soundness,” she adds. “We must be mindful of this as market pressures continue to influence their roles within our society.”

Top coats

Natives tend to be well equipped for outdoor life, thanks to a natural set of winter woollies. The Exmoor’s double-layer winter coat, for example, provides insulation and waterproofing. Yet skin conditions can arise, as H&H vet Karen Coumbe explains.

“Breeds with abundant feather are prone to mange mites, known as Chorioptes, often evident because the pony bites and rubs the backs of his lower legs,” she says. “Lice can also be an issue. Both problems are more likely in the stabled pony.

“Pony breeds in general are prone to sweet itch,” adds Karen, explaining that hypersensitivity to bites from the Culicoides midge can cause severe itching and scratching. “Topical treatments recommended by your vet should help, along with fastidious management that includes insect repellents and specially designed protective rugs.

“Try stabling the affected pony at dawn and dusk, or in still, humid conditions favoured by the midges,” adds Karen. “Stable fans or insect-proof netting on doors and windows will help, while turnout should be as midge-free as possible — ideally a windy, open field with no standing water.

“Research is investigating vaccines and dietary supplements as potential solutions, but currently the best option is to prevent midge bites in the first place.”

Foal fatalities

Sensible breeding is critical to maintaining the genetic health of our native breeds, as highlighted by a serious issue arising in the 1990s.

“Approximately 25% of Fell pony foals were dying at birth or shortly after,” explains Professor Derek Knottenbelt, who was instrumental in identifying “Fell pony syndrome”, now known as foal immunodeficiency syndrome (FIS).

“Affected foals displayed clinical signs including anaemia, fever, poor weight gain and wasting, diarrhoea and opportunistic intestinal and skin infections. More subtle signs included tongue hyperkeratosis [skin thickening] and fungal infections of the mouth.”

Like HWSD, this fatal disease is caused by a recessive gene.

“As a result of a forward-looking approach from the Fell Pony Society, which included widespread genetic testing in UK, the condition has been controlled,” says Derek, who adds that the gene was subsequently found in the Dales breed.

“Over the next few decades, it’s likely that the disease will be bred out. Using a known non-carrier stallion eliminates the risk of breeding an affected foal, as well as reducing the number of carriers.

Weighty issues

An ability to make a lot of very little has been the undoing of many native ponies.

“These breeds adapted to survive harsh British winters on relatively poor-quality pasture, such as Dartmoor or the Welsh hills,” says Edd Knowles MRCVS of Bell Equine.

“Due to hormones and genes, they’re very efficient at digesting feed and putting on weight. These characteristics​ are less well suited to a more luxurious lifestyle grazing richer pastures without needing to walk far to find food.

“Under these circumstances, ponies tend to put on extra calories as fat,” adds Edd. “The most notorious disease linked to obesity is laminitis, but excess weight can lead to a range of other health problems, including a swollen sheath or mammary glands, and may be involved in the development of some tumours.”

With obesity rates thought to be as high as 70% in some native pony breeds, owners are encouraged to take a two-pronged approach by restricting a pony’s food intake and helping him burn off any excess calories.

“Provide plenty of fibre, but bear in mind that a native rarely requires more refined feeds,” says Edd, who suggests reducing paddock size or turning a pony out with sheep or other animals to limit grazing.

“Give him regular exercise and try not to over-rug him in cold weather.”

Ref Horse & Hound; 25 July 2019