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

You might also be interested in:

Best grazing muzzle options to help reduce your horse’s daily intake

Is it safe to feed straw? Everything you need to know, with expert advice from an equine nutritionist

Best feed balancers for all horses: what’s on the market?

How to keep stabled horses happy and healthy

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I’m a very relatable horse owner. Just like an estimated 30-75% of owners (depending on which study you read), I have a fat horse in my paddock.

It’s easy to dismiss my overweight equine, Pip (pictured below), with language that minimises the problem. He’s a chunky monkey one minute and “Pippo the hippo” the next.

But waving away the problem with phrases like “he looks well” and “he’s in show condition” – which is a whole other kettle of fish – won’t do anything to make him healthier.

Overweight horses are predisposed to conditions like laminitis, arthritis and certain types of colic. No one would willingly expose their horse to health problems, and I’m willing to bet that most owners of fat horses have the best intentions.

In fact, equestrians being unable to spot an overweight horse is a key factor many experts cite when asked why so many horses are fat. Others state that some owners may even misidentify a fat horse as a thin one.

Owners might be influenced by peers who criticise restricting their overweight horses’ diets.

Many horses are on lush paddocks, eat forage that oversupplies calories, and consume diet-balancing bucket meals that provide still more calories.

It appears we are a nation of horse feeders with sparing tolerance for equines on the leaner side. Turning the tide of opinion on equine body condition has so far been slow going. But what if equine weight loss were Instagrammable?

Grass restriction made trendy

Earlier this spring, equestrian product giant LeMieux, world-renowned for their saddlepad, boot and ear bonnet co-ords, released their first product aimed at slimming down fat horses – a grazing muzzle.

Launched in two colours, the muzzle has an eye-catching design and an affordable price point. Of course, Pip would only accept a style that was triple the price for his weight loss journey, so I’m not the proud owner of one. However, our own Georgia Guerin gave it our highest rating, so we can safely say it’s effective too.

LeMieux’s popularity means the brand is consistently releasing market must-haves, and if this muzzle is their latest trend, I think it’s only good news for equine obesity.

Horses get most of their calories from forage, so soaking hay and restricting grass intake is the way to get them in a deficit and cause them to lose weight. If an appealing new product encourages those who are on the fence about helping their horse lose weight to take action, then I think it can only be a good thing, however fashionable.

Naturally, a sea-change in feeding practices is going to take more than a “viral” product, and I do think the lesson of safe forage restriction is more important than a trending muzzle.

I expect there may be some individuals out there who think impressionable children may use the LeMieux grazing muzzle on their poor ponies who are healthy – or even thin – for the sake of fashion. Personally, I don’t think this could ever be true.

There’s hardly enough of an appetite for restricting grass intake of obese horses, let alone poor doers.

• Liked this column? To read opinion pieces from some of the biggest names in the horse world, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

You might also like…

17 ways you can help your horse lose weight

‘Fat doesn’t equal fit’: how the show ring is shaping up with tackling overweight horses

Best grazing muzzle options to help reduce your horse’s daily intake

‘This is the best grazing muzzle I’ve tried – I wish I’d had one years ago’

£39.95

Grazing muzzle cut off laminitic pony after his first night out in the field

The owner hopes publicising the incident may help educate members of the public

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I’ve been putting the new LeMieux Noma Grazing Muzzle to the test. In short, I would say this muzzle is the best grazing muzzle I’ve tried, but I’ve detailed my thoughts below and included some pictures and videos so that you can see it in action.

First impressions

This muzzle is different to all the other grazing muzzles on the market – it’s flexible, lightweight and has a soft feel.

It can be attached to any headcollar, which is great because you’re more likely to keep it on than you are a single-strap muzzle. It also means don’t have to purchase an additional headcollar, which helps to keep the cost down. I’d recommend using one of the best field-safe headcollars, and I tried it with the LeMieux Breakaway Headcollar.

My first impressions were really positive – finding a grazing muzzle that works for your horse can be really tricky and giving them all a try is an expensive hobby, but this looked like it was going to solve some of the problems I’d had previously.

My test subjects

I tried the muzzle on my pony, a 13.3hh Norwegian Fjord, who has worn a muzzle before but not recently. I’ve tried a selection in the past and had most success with the Shires Green Guard muzzle, but it did rub him on his chin and after storing the muzzle in a box with other kit over the winter, it had become squashed and misshapen, which caused it to rub even more.

I also tested it on a 13.2hh Welsh section C who wears a muzzle every day, but prior to testing this one had three different styles on rotation to get around problems with rubbing. She has been wearing this muzzle regularly for the last few months.

With different head shapes, I expected the muzzle to fit the Fjord slightly better, but I knew the section C would give it her best shot at removal, which would be an important part of the test.

How well the LeMieux Noma Grazing Muzzle worked

The main things to consider with a grazing muzzle are:

• Does it stay on or is it easy for your horse to remove?
• Does it reduce intake while allowing your horse to graze, drink and breathe comfortably?
• Does it rub?

Did the ponies keep the muzzle on?

Neither pony managed to remove the muzzle in the time that they wore it. Being attached to a regular headcollar meant it could be fitted securely, and the nylon pips (which attach the muzzle to the headcollar) were strong enough to hold it on during rolling and rubbing, but are designed to ping off if your horse was caught.

Neither of the ponies showed signs of discomfort while wearing the muzzle.

Examples of unsuccessful removal attempts: 

Could the ponies graze easily?

I’ve videoed the Fjord’s first attempt at grazing with the muzzle on, which is the first time he’s worn a muzzle in four or five years, and you can see he had no problem eating.

The section C also had no troubles, and I’ve videoed her eating hay from the ground. You can see she is able to eat hay via the hexagonal holes in addition to the small grazing hole, but I’ve mentioned more about this in the fit section.

It definitely reduces the intake – unfortunately I can’t say by exactly how much, but studies suggest muzzles in general reduce intake by around 80% – and it seemed to be an instrumental part of the section C successfully losing weight.

The grazing hole is just over 3.5cm wide, and the pentagonal and hexagonal breathing holes are 4–5cm at their widest points. Aside from the main grazing hole, the other sections below the mouth are covered.

Does it rub?

Neither pony suffered rubbing while wearing this muzzle. I’ve tried a few types of muzzle and this is the first time I’ve managed to use one without a single rub.

Prior to using this muzzle, the section C had three on rotation due to all rubbing different areas.

It has a fleecy tab on the attachment that sits over the nose to prevent rubbing in this area. The muzzle itself is made of soft and flexible rubber, which reduced the chance of rubbing.

Fit and sizing

Unfortunately, the Noma is only available in pony and cob sizes currently – I really hope LeMieux will introduce more sizes in the future.

I used a cob-sized muzzle on both the ponies. The Welsh section C may have fitted a pony size better as she was able to graze via the breathing holes on occasion, but the extra space seemed to keep her more comfortable and her intake was still reduced, so it remained a good option for us.

Care and durability

The muzzle is easy to clean – I just rinsed it under the hose and rubbed any dirt away with my fingers.

It has lasted well. It’s only been worn for a few months so far, but I spent a lot of time in the beginning adjusting the fit (undoing and doing up the tabs) and we’ve had no breakages.

Verdict

With an RRP of £39.95, I think this muzzle is a great value buy. It did job and keeps your horse comfortable, so it ticks all the boxes for me. I wish I’d had it years ago when the Fjord needed to wear one every day.

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

You might also enjoy reading: 

17 ways you can help your horse lose weight

Best grazing muzzle options to help reduce your horse’s daily intake

7 of the best field-safe headcollars designed to prevent injury

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Weighing a horse accurately isn’t usually that easy; most yards aren’t equipped with an equine equivalent to bathroom scales, which would make things much easier. Nevertheless, knowing how to weigh a horse – or how to work out if they sit within their ideal weight range – is an important equine management skill.

There are three standard methods for determining a horse’s weight: applying a weight estimation formula, using a weigh tape, or a weighbridge. Below, we’ll explore how these methods work and their pros and cons with expert input.

Why is weighing horses important?

Katie Reeve, an equine nutritionist at Dengie, highlights several reasons to have an accurate picture of your horse’s weight – including how much hay to feed your horse.

“Having an accurate weight for your horse helps to ensure they are receiving enough forage in their diet,” she says. “This is particularly helpful if they are on a restricted ration to help promote weight loss.

“Once the horse’s weight is known, we can then calculate 1.5% of their bodyweight to ensure there is enough fibre in their ration. It can also help ensure you feed the correct quantity of products like feed balancers to provide the horse with the vitamins and minerals they need.”

Katie adds that knowing your horse’s weight is helpful for practical reasons, too.

“Knowing your horse’s weight ensures correct dosage for deworming and medication or making sure you aren’t exceeding the payload in your horsebox.”

How much should my horse weigh?

You can find weight estimations on the back of feed bags, but a good indicator that your horse is in the right weight range is having an optimal body condition score. In the UK, body condition score is measured on a scale of 0–5. An optimally healthy horse scores between two and three.

“Knowing your horse’s body condition score is arguably more important than the number on the scales,” says Katie. “It tells you if your horse is carrying a healthy amount of bodyweight or if they are overweight or underweight.”

Katie gives the example of two horses, both 500kg, one with an optimal body condition score of 3/5 and other 5/5.

“Although the two horses weigh exactly the same, the first horse has a much healthier body condition score and the second is very overweight,” she says.

“In this instance, it is the body condition score that tells us how healthy the horse actually is and if there are any changes that need to be implemented in their ration.”

How to estimate a horse’s weight

There’s a formula you can use that’s designed to estimate a horse’s weight – you just need a calculator, a long measuring tape with centimetres, and possibly a helper.

The two measurements you need to know are:

• Your horse’s heart girth (the distance around the whole torso behind the elbows), and;
• Your horse’s body length from the point of shoulder to the point of buttock.

Then, the formula you use to calculate the weight in kilograms is:

(Heart girth (cm) x heart girth (cm)) x body length (cm) ÷ 11877

While useful as a guide, there are flaws the formula, such as the fact that doesn’t take body condition into account. It is most useful when used alongside a weighbridge so the figures can be compared.

How to use a weigh tape

“Weigh tapes [like this one available on Amazon] are very useful for tracking weight, especially when used regularly,” says Vanessa Allen, nutritionist at Spillers. “We suggest weekly for those who need their weight monitoring for gains or losses.

“They may not be accurate, but are a useful guide and confirm if your horse’s weight is going in the right direction.”

Step by step

Emma Short, senior nutritionist at Baileys, says…

• Make sure your horse is standing square – bearing in mind some horses can be nervous on their first weigh tape encounter.
• On their near side, keep the end of the tape in your right hand and pass the rest of the tape over the horse’s back, behind the withers.
• The tape needs to sit where the girth normally goes, just behind the front legs. It should be pulled snug to depress the flesh very slightly.
• Read the weight by overlapping the tape and taking the measurement at the arrow.

Pros and cons of weigh tapes

While weightaping is quick, convenient and home-based, it can’t be relied upon as an accurate measure.

“In overweight horses, weigh tapes typically slightly underestimate bodyweight,” says Emma. “This is because the tape does not account for any fatty deposits over the neck or around the tailhead.

“Body length is also not accounted for on the tape, so horses with longer backs may come up slightly lighter on the tape.”

Katie adds that a combination of measures can work best. “In an ideal situation, you should weigh tape your horse at the same time as using the weighbridge,” she explains.

“You can then use the weigh tape more frequently to easily monitor the horse’s weight in between weighbridge sessions.”

How to weigh a horse with a weighbridge

You can weigh your horse at a public weighbridge, or some feed companies and vets have portable devices to bring along to yard visits.

“Using a weighbridge will always be the most accurate reading for your horse,” says Katie. “It should be used alongside regular body condition scoring and weigh tape readings to monitor fluctuations.”

Some weigh tapes also have a scale to measure your horse’s height.

Step by step

Topspec’s veterinary nutritionist Anna Welch says…

• If using a portable scale, position the weighbridge on a firm, flat, level surface with a straight, unobstructed approach and exit.
• Calibrate or sense-check the weighbridge with a known weight, such as a bag of feed or a full water container.
• Approach confidently with your horse, like you would a trailer ramp. Look ahead, allowing him time to investigate, sniff and pause if needed.
• For an accurate reading, your horse should be straight, centred, and standing completely still on the weighbridge. If he becomes anxious, it may help to step off and re-approach.

Using a weighbridge for the first time

Vanessa says she has weighed thousands of horses, and of those only a handful refused to go on.

“Even if they have a little snort or are suspicious to start with, if the owner is confident and walks straight across it their horse will usually just follow,” she says.

“Some owners will walk around it and their horses follow them, seeing the weighbridge as something to avoid.”

Vanessa says it takes only a couple of seconds to register the weight, so a well-handled horse should be fine after a couple of practice runs.

“I’d recommend owners follow instructions from the nutrition advisor who brings the weighbridge,” she continues. “We’re really experienced and genuinely know all the tips if a horse is shy to start with.”

Pros and cons of using a weighbridge

Anna says as well as providing greater accuracy than a weigh tape, it means you can be sure you’re supporting your horse with an accurate feeding and worming programme, and precise doses of medication too.

“Limitations include limited access to a weighbridge, which makes regular monitoring a challenge,” she adds. “Errors can occur due to uneven footing and failing to zero the weighbridge, and accurate readings depend on your horse standing completely still.”

Anna says the biggest error owners can make is ignoring body condition because the weight in kilos seems acceptable.

“When weighing your horse, make sure you replicate the conditions,” she says. “For example, if you ride to a weighbridge and weigh your horse in his saddle, make sure to do the same next time.”

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

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Feed balancers for horses have risen in popularity over the years – and for good reason. The best feed balancers are more than a vitamin and mineral supplement, and when fed at the correct amount a balancer will provide your horse with all the nutrients he needs.

The best feed balancers allow you to get all the essential nutrients into your horse, in a low-volume and low-energy way, which is particularly helpful if you’re watching your horse’s waistline or you’re actively trying to help your horse lose weight.

Of course, nutritional requirements change with age and workload, so like other feed products not all feed balancers are created with the same goal in mind. Balancers can usually be divided into one of the following groups…

• light balancers – formulated to provide all the nutrients they are likely to be missing from the restricted diets of good-doers and horses in light work
• performance balancers – designed to support competition horses and those working hard
• senior balancers – formulated to support digestion, comfort and movement in older horses
• stud balancers – aimed at stallions, pregnant or lactating mares and youngstock with higher protein requirements

We’ve rounded up a selection of some of the best feed balancers for horses to help you find the right feed for your horse…

• light balancers
• performance balancers
• senior balancers
• stud balancers

NB: Cost per day has been calculated using the maintenance measure for a 500kg horse in light work (where there was variation) and the RRP of the smallest available bag/tub. Some products require you to feed more in certain situations, which will increase the cost per daily measure, while buying a larger bag/tub will likely decrease it – these costs per day are a guide only.

Light balancers: what’s on the market?

Performance balancers: what’s on the market?

Aimed at good-doers in work, this low-calorie balancer provides all the nutrients you’d find in a competition mix or cube, but without the associated calories, making it ideal for horses who are stressy or excitable but require nutrients for health and performance.

Low levels of starch and sugar also make it suitable for horses prone to gastric ulcers. It can be fed as the sole concentrate, alongside any type of forage, or added to reduced quantities of other hard feeds, to ensure a fully balanced diet.

This balancer contains turmeric, black pepper, oils and glucosamine to promote healthy joint function and movement. It contains carefully formulated levels of essential vitamins, minerals and nutrients alongside complete hoof, respiratory and digestive supplements. Can be fed dry, damp or soaked.

This balancer is a low-calorie source of vitamins and minerals with additional digestive, hoof, recovery, immune, and protein support. It is ideal for topping-up natural vitamin levels in forage and is described as suitable for all horses.

This concentrated formula is described as suitable for all – from the family pony to performance horse. It contains key ingredients to optimise gut function, combined with optimum nutritional supplement specification that balances a high-fibre, low-concentrate, or performance diet.

This highly nutritious, low-intake balancer comes in the form of a mix. This allows it to provide a higher level of fibre and oil, which support stamina, and the inclusion of micronised maize helps to provide a higher energy level when compared to traditional pellet balancers.

This balancer provides digestive and immunity support in addition to everyday vitamins and minerals. It is rich in amino acids to support muscle development and topline, high in antioxidants and contains pre- and probiotics.

Designed for good-doers in medium to hard work that do not need extra topline or muscle development, this balancer provides everything your horse needs in a small amount of non-heating low-calorie feed.

It contains a multi-supplement that is described as including the levels of micronutrients normally only found in high quality specialised supplements.

Senior balancers: what’s on the market?

Formulated for horses over the age of 14, this balancer contains the correct levels of vitamins, minerals and nutrients in the diet, along with additional supplements to ease the ageing process. It includes digestive, hoof, coat, skin, respiratory and joint supplements. Can be fed dry, damp or soaked.

Providing comprehensive nutritional care for older horses, this balancer comes in the form of a cereal-free mash, which allows it to be ingested easily, even when dentition is poor.

It is low in sugar and starch and contains omega-3 to support joint mobility and muscle suppleness.

This balancer supports digestion, comfort and movement in older horses. It is high in antioxidants to support immune health and has probiotics and prebiotics to support digestive health. It also contains high levels of glucosamine, MSM and omega-3 to support joint health.

Designed for elderly horses that are prone to weight gain, this balancer combines the benefits of a low-calorie feed balancer and a joint supplement

in a cost-effective way.

It’s formulated without cereal grains and provides only low levels of sugar and starch, which helps to maintain healthy hindgut function and avoid loose droppings.

Stud balancers: what’s on the market?

NB: We have not calculated a cost per day for the stud balancers below as feeding rates vary greatly with stage of pregnancy for mares as well as age for youngstock.

This balancer provides optimum nutrition for all breeding stock. It can be introduced from 3 months of age and, being low calorie, it is ideal for good-doers, supporting even growth rates without encouraging weight gain.

Its quality protein and elevated levels of vitamins and minerals, including chelated minerals for improved bioavailability, support foetal development as well as helping ensure the mare is receiving the nutrients she needs to produce good quality milk.

Formulated for performance horses and growing young stock, this balancer supports consistent, steady growth rates for youngstock.

It contains elevated levels of vitamins and minerals, and includes nucleotides for quality cell replication, pre- and probiotics, plus essential omega-3 and -6 oils.

This nutrient-rich balancer, specifically formulated for broodmares, stallions, and youngstock, contains a long-lasting gastric acid buffer and prebiotics to support gastric and hindgut function.

It has been formulated to help promote bone strength and correct limb development by providing quality protein, vitamins A, D and K, plus essential micronutrients such as elements calcium and phosphorus.

This balancer is a concentrated source of vitamins and minerals, packed with additional support supplements for stallions, mares, foals and youngstock. It is low in starch and includes key amino acids, hoof support and vitamin E, which helps support fertility and milk quality.

It also contains MOS and FOS prebiotics and ActiSaf yeast – a probiotic which supports a healthy hindgut environment of fibre fermentation and nutrient uptake.

This scientifically formulated, pre-digested feed balancer supports and balances a pasture-based diet for equine stud animals. The highly palatable nuggets, which are large enough to be eaten off the floor, contain amino acids that support quality lean muscle and skeletal growth and development.

DHA, a long-chain omega-3 fatty acid, is included to support semen motility, mare postpartum recovery, foal feeding behaviours and development.

This balancer, designed to support breeding and youngstock, is whole cereal free, low in starch and sugar, which makes it suitable for fast-growing foals and horses with more excitable temperaments. It can be fed alongside a forage only diet or alongside the existing ration to support nutrient intake.

All types of breeding stock will benefit from the elevated inclusion of antioxidants, including vitamin E, which supports immune function, colostrum quality and can help to support optimal muscle function.

Designed for youngsters who hold their condition well and to complement a forage-based diet, this balancer is a low-calorie nutrient-rich growth formula for safe and even development. It’s suitable for foals, youngstock and pregnant or lactating mares.

TopSpec Stud Lite Feed Balancer provides most of the benefits of TopSpec Stud Feed Balancer, including a multi-supplement combined with a feed, but on a low-calorie, low-protein base, making it ideal for youngstock and broodmares that are good-doers.

What is the best balancer for horses?

The best balancer for your horse depends on why you’re feeding it and your horse’s individual needs – different balancers serve different purposes.

Balancers often provide a wide range of nutrients, if your horse has a particular issue or demand on his lifestyle, a specific supplement – such as one of the best joint supplements for horses – may provide him a greater benefit. It’s also important to note that, in most cases, you need to feed an electrolyte in addition to the balancer if your horse requires one.

When choosing a balancer, check whether it suits your horse’s workload and dietary needs. Always introduce feeds gradually and follow recommended feeding rates. Most feed companies offer free nutritional advice, so if you’re unsure which is the best feed balancer or other product is right for your horse give them a call to discuss. You can also read through some advice they gave H&H on how to choose a feed balancer for your horse.

Can you feed a balancer on its own?

Balancers often come in a pellet form, making them suitable to be fed on their own – and this is one way balancers differ from supplements. Adding chaff to the bucket feed, however, is a great way of extending your horse’s eating time.

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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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Owners of horses who seem to gain weight on fresh air may find knowing how to feed a fat horse who lives out year-round a real challenge as they try to balance providing sufficient nutrition to cover their essential requirements for good health, without seeing their waistline expand.

Obesity in horses is a real risk to health, with weight-related problems including increased stress placed on limbs and joints, a higher risk of heart disease, circulation problems, digestive disorders and decreased resistance to disease, as well as increasing the likelihood of laminitis occuring.

So if you own a horse or pony who is a good doer, what steps can you take to ensure they achieve a healthy weight and then maintain it? The good news is that going into winter is a great opportunity for these horses to lose weight as nature intended.

Assuming there are no underlying health conditions leading the horse to become overweight, such as equine metabolic syndrome, the most common cause is that the horse is taking on more energy in the form of calories than they are using in exercise, which results in the excess energy being stored as fat.

One of the first things to look at when considering how to feed a fat horse is the quality of your horse’s grazing. This is going to be the primary food source for any horse living out 24/7. If you have a horse that tends to carry too much weight, then this is likely to be the root of the problem, particularly if the horse is in a large field of good quality grass.

While the nutritional value of grass will reduce during the winter months, a field of well-fertilised grazing, such as that produced by farmers for cattle, will still contain a high level of calories for horses to consume.

So how can you reduce the calories from the grass your horse has access to feeding a fat horse ? Equine nutritionist Christine Smy suggests:

• Consider the size of your horse’s field – is there a smaller field available?
• Could you use electric fencing to strip graze or set up a track system?
• Is it possible to use sheep to eat down the grass, so there is less of it for your good doer to munch on?
• If none of the above are possible, you may need to use a grazing muzzle to restrict the amount of grass your horse can eat

If you run short of grass in the winter – or there is snow on the ground – then additional forage will need to be supplied to maintain the horse’s gut health, but try to feed hay that has been a late cut if possible, as this typically has a lower nutritional value, or even better, have your hay tested so you know its nutritional value.

Another option is to mix hay with quality oat straw up to a 50:50 ratio to reduce the calories while maintaining plenty of roughage passing through the horse’s gut. Research undertaken by Redwings and the University of Edinburgh in 2020 has found this can be an effective way to help fat horses lose weight. Ruth Morgan, co-author of the study and researcher at the University of Edinburgh, does recommend that anyone feeding a mix of hay and oat straw ensures that their horse’s teeth are in good condition before introducing straw as it does take more chewing — this will also reduce any risk of impaction colic (none of the horses in the 2020 study displayed any signs of colic). Owners should also keep an eye on the horse’s droppings to ensure their digestive system is managing to move the less digestible forage through efficiently.

It’s important that horses living out full-time are getting all the key nutrients needed to maintain good health. Having your hay analysed to check its feed value will help you to ensure your horse is receiving a well-balanced diet. In terms of bucket feed, a feed balancer designed for good-doers combined with a low-calorie chaff will provide all your horse needs with minimal calories.

What feeding experts recommend

For Dr Katie Williams Ph.D. MSc (Dist) RNutr, senior nutritionist at Dengie, encouraging trickle feeding as much as possible is key for overweight horses with conditions such as equine metabolic syndrome (EMS) and Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (PPID). A consequence of these issues is insulin dysregulation, which means the horse’s hormonal response to eating is disrupted.

“A key function of chopped fibre in the bucket feed is to slow the rate of intake,” she explains. “A study by Ellis et al. (2005) found the addition of chopped straw, at an inclusion rate of 20%, to a ration containing pellets and other chopped fibres resulted in significantly longer eating periods as well as an increased number of chews.

“Other studies have shown that feeding straw as part of the forage ration can slow the rate of intake to such an extent that no discernible insulinemic response results (Jansson et al. 2021), which makes sense when we think about the basic principle of the horse being a trickle feeder.”

While chopped straw is a useful addition to the good doer’s bucket, Katie recommends it is fed as part of a balanced diet as straw contains much lower levels of natural vitamins and minerals than grass-based forages.

“Meadow Lite with Herbs is Dengie’s ultra-low calorie feed, providing just 5MJ/kg of digestible energy,” she says. “It’s also naturally low in sugar (3%) and starch (0.5%) – levels way lower than you would find even in timothy hay. It’s ideal for mixing with a supplement or balancer to ensure the diet is balanced”

She adds: “For those worried about ulcers then Dengie Ulser Lite is a low calorie (8MJ/kg), sugar (6.5%) and starch (2%) fibre feed with added herbs, yeast and prebiotics to promote digestive health. It contains a blend of soft chopped grasses with high-quality oat straw for maximum fibre content while still keeping the calories low. Alfalfa pellets are included for natural buffering due to their high levels of bioavailable calcium.”

To reduce a good doer’s overall calorie intake, Top Spec nutrition director Nicola Tyler BSc (Hons) RNutr recommends looking at the whole diet.

“If you consider that an average 500kg horse would eat between 10 and 15 kilos of forage a day, then what type of chaff you feed at a rate of 125–600 grams per day makes very minimal difference,” she explains.

“You make a far bigger impact with the main forage, and controlling that as much as you can.”

For the good doer, Nicola recommends late-cut meadow hay. “It tends to be lower in sugar and protein, and higher in fibre,” she says.

“For horses who are competing but have got excellent forage and carry their weight well, we would recommend TopSpec Performance Lite feed balancer. For horses who are obese or whose forage intake is restricted due to a condition such as EMS, TopSpec AntiLam forage balancer is ideal. It’s very slightly lower calorie, but has a much higher level of micronutrient support, because it’s those micronutrients that are going to be massively missing in his diet due to such significant dietary restriction.”

Echoing the importance of key micronutrients in an overweight horse’s diet, Sarah Nelson BSc (Hons), product manager at Spillers, says: “Forage only diets often exceed the calorie requirements of good doers, but are likely to fall short of key nutrients including copper, zinc, selenium, vitamin E and lysine.

“Protein is made up of ‘building blocks’ called amino acids, some of which are described as ‘essential’ because they can’t be synthesised by the horse and must be provided in the diet. Lysine is considered the most important essential amino acid and may be deficient in weight loss diets,” she continues. “If a horse’s lysine requirement isn’t met, the body will begin to break down muscle tissue to try and meet demand.

“Spillers Lite & Lean balancer is specifically formulated to balance a calorie-restricted diet and is high in vitamin E and lysine.

“Feeding a balancer alongside a low-calorie short chopped fibre, such as Spillers Fibre Lite Molasses-Free, helps to bulk out the bucket and extend eating time without compromising the good doer’s waistline.”

Other considerations: how to feed a fat horse

If your horse is living out wearing a rug during the winter, it is important to regularly remove the rug to check their physical condition, as well as to allow their skin the chance to breathe and to check for any rubs or injuries that may have occurred. This is particularly important if you’re not riding regularly.

However, ask yourself if your horse really needs a rug? Many native types living out unclipped are able to cope with the worst of the British weather and are likely to be more comfortable without rugs if there is sufficient shelter — either natural or man-made — to allow them to escape from the wind. If you need your horse to lose weight then no rug will allow the horse to use its natural internal warming system to maintain its body temperature, which in turn will help burn the calories it would otherwise lay down as fat.

If your horse has a thick winter coat, it may be difficult to assess their condition by eye, so it’s recommended to get hands-on to assess their body condition score, combined with weekly use of a weight tape, to monitor weight loss or gain. Use the tape weekly at the same time of day and keep a note of the measurements. A gradual weight loss is, as it is in humans, more desirable than losing a lot of weight quickly.

Exercise is a key element of ensuring your horse loses weight. If you are unable to exercise your horse during the winter months, due to limited daylight or other restrictions, then consider the layout of your turnout to encourage the horse to move more. Track systems are becoming increasingly popular as they encouraging the horse to move naturally between areas where they can eat, drink and relax, which can aid weight loss.

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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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Horse weight issues – and owners’ lack of knowledge – are among some of the biggest concerns for saddlery fitters, new data has suggested.

Redwings, the Horse Trust and the Society of Master Saddlers (SMS) have published new data from a short survey of UK-based saddlery fitters. The survey was part of a project between the three organisations, who also launched an online course this summer for SMS members focusing on the role saddlery fitters play in observing and helping to resolve some of the issues that may affect horse welfare.

Of the 41 participants who completed the survey, 22.45% said the biggest welfare concern was horse weight issues – and the second biggest concern was owners’ lack of knowledge.

When asked which were the main issues they believed equine welfare organisations faced 15.49% of respondents said abandonment, followed by 13.04% who said obesity, and 11.59% inappropriate work/lameness.

More than half of the respondents said they were either extremely or somewhat likely to contact a welfare organisation if they were concerned about a horse. The most common reason given for being reluctant to contact a welfare organisation about a horse was compromising the relationship with their client, but 85.4% said client confidentiality would not prevent them from reporting cruelty or neglect.

“It’s so important to work with equine professionals, such as saddlery fitters, who have regular contact with horses and their owners and really have the opportunity to influence horse welfare in a positive way,” said Redwings chief executive Lynn Cutress.

Redwings campaigns manager Andie McPherson added the survey was the first of its kind and despite being a small sample, it delivered some “interesting insights” into saddlery fitters’ understanding of welfare priorities and the work of welfare charities in the UK.

“We would be delighted for more analysis to be carried out on the data and for it to inspire reflection on the important role equine professionals play in good equine welfare and how welfare organisations can work more closely with saddle fitters to tackle some of the pressing issues that they come across,” she said.

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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

The National Pony Society (NPS) has announced a revamped version of its popular Fit for the Future initiative set to run at this year’s NPS summer championship show at Three Counties Showground (2-4 August).

The Fit for the Future scheme promotes appropriate weight management of ponies in the show ring with support from the NPS’s long-term partner Baileys Horse Feeds. It intends to recognise and reward competitors who are “presenting their ponies in optimum condition.”

The NPS has been “concerned about the trend of overweight ponies in the show ring for a number of years”, and although the situation is improving, they feel there is “still more work to be done to educate competitors and judges on the optimum condition for show animals.”

Ten classes across a range of breeds, ages and disciplines have been selected. In each of these classes the judge will be asked to select the pony in the best condition who will then receive a goody bag courtesy of Baileys Horse Feeds.

Baileys are also providing specialist guidance for the judges to help them with their selections.

Jane Buchan, marketing manager for Baileys Horse Feeds, said: “Baileys are delighted to be supporting the NPS’s Fit for the Future initiative, to highlight those horses and ponies deemed in the best (healthiest) condition, at this year’s summer championship show. At Baileys, we’re passionate about helping the horse owner understand how to provide a fully balanced diet to support healthy body condition so, having been involved with the NPS for so long, we’re excited to be able to bring this practical expertise into the ring.

“At the show, we will be present once again with a weighbridge, and invite all owners and riders to come and discuss their horse or pony’s diet with our friendly nutritionist. It’s not about passing judgement nor about simply selling more feed; we want to help by providing practical straightforward feeding advice to the benefit of horse and rider.”

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‘Judges must place fat horses lower’ to help beat equine obesity

How to calculate your horse’s body condition score – is he the right weight?

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

Top show horse producer Simon Reynolds on why we need to safeguard the future of showing

I AM always amazed at this time of year at just how early the shows are starting. I used to pen my first show in the diary for the middle of April, to get in a few outings before the Royal Windsor Horse Show in May. Nowadays, entry dates are closing for shows scheduled months ahead.

We like to take our young horses out and about to some different venues, before even thinking about a show. Showing clinics are also a great way to educate horses, without the pressure of a show, and to listen to another viewpoint. After all, that’s what showing is about; it’s based on somebody’s opinion.

I’m a big believer that we never stop learning, especially with horses, and sometimes another perspective can be a real game-changer. We can all be guilty of getting stuck in a rut, but each horse should be trained differently – and it’s not a one-size-fits-all approach. You have to learn to adapt your training techniques to benefit the individual animal.

Change is needed

I HAVE thoroughly enjoyed watching snippets of Crufts on the television and was so impressed by the high standard of showmanship and the quality of the dogs. I don’t think I saw an overweight or lame dog in the final line-ups and they all seemed to sparkle with character and charisma.

A show animal, whether that be a dog or a horse, should have these qualities in abundance. My hope – to safeguard the future of horse showing – is that we move away from the unhealthy trend of dull, over-topped horses that have no pizzazz. I don’t think anyone can justify putting obese animals at the top of the line.

Unless judging opinion changes in the near future, I’m concerned where showing appears to be heading. There is nothing more disheartening than watching a class of overweight, robotic animals, and surely we should be prioritising these larger issues of welfare before others. It is a showing class, and animals should be, as renowned Crufts’ judge and commentator Frank Kane said, “fit for purpose”.

Another example of this phrase was well explained in the recent letters section of Horse & Hound magazine (3 March) where Irish Draught Horse Society (GB) president John Newborough described the links between type, conformation and functionality of the Irish Draught. The society should be congratulated. They take great care as the custodians of the breed to ensure its quality and longevity, while still acknowledging their role in modern times.

The power of the horse world

IN response to the atrocities in the Ukraine, the power of the horseworld has shown its true might this month. Showman Allister Hood’s daughter, Louenna Hood, collected aid in abundance to help the children of the Ukraine, and it was driven there in truckloads by hay and straw haulage specialist Philip Judge and popular showing judge Nigel Oliver.

In addition to that, the cause raised over £105,000, a staggering amount considering that the initial target was £500. The generosity of people and companies has been astounding.

It also demonstrates the impact of social media, which I have said has the capacity to do wonderful things, but also can be a damaging place. It was refreshing to see this tool used for a worthy cause and with tremendous success. Well done to all involved and let’s hope this trend continues throughout the season for the better.

Showing matters really do pale into insignificance with the magnitude of current world affairs, and I hope people take stock this season and appreciate how lucky we are to have horses as our chosen sport.

• Which main welfare issues in showing do you think need to be brought to the fore? Email us at hhletters@futurenet.com

This exclusive column is also available to read in Horse & Hound magazine, on sale Thursday 24 March

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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

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

Could moving away from conventional grazing systems help weight management? Dr Tamzin Furtado reports

WITH equine obesity at alarming levels in the UK, managing weight is becoming an important part of everyday horse care. Traditionally, weight management is achieved through stabling, grazing muzzle use, increased exercise or the use of “starvation paddocks”, but some owners are seeking methods which do not restrict their horses’ access to the “three Fs”: friends, forage and freedom.

A survey of UK owners conducted last summer explored the use of alternative grazing systems, not just for keeping weight under control but also for reasons such as the management of arthritis and behavioural issues related to stress. Each option aimed to provide enriched turnout areas, where horses can live in groups and access a range of low-calorie forages.

It is important to note that no one system was a panacea for every owner; all have their pros and cons, highlighting that any changes should be considered on an individual level. These innovative ideas provide food for thought, however, for welfare-friendly weight control.

ON THE MOVE

TRACK systems allow horses access to a track created around the outside of a paddock. Resources such as water, hay and shelter are placed at different points, to encourage the horses to move in order to access them.

Tracks may cross multiple fields and are sometimes dotted with features, including hedgerows for foraging, different terrains (sandpits, streams or steps, for example) and enrichment such as scratching posts, herb gardens and flavoured water stations. The centre section can either be cut as hay or left as standing forage for winter, or managed with Equicentral principles (discussed later).

The upside is that the horses are encouraged to keep moving around the track to access their resources, while the footfall and lack of space means grass growth is limited – making this ideal for overweight horses. Horses are living in an enriched environment, usually as a herd, which can reduce stress levels.

However, track systems are not without their issues. Because of heavy footfall over a limited area, tracks which are not surfaced can become very muddy; as a result, many owners remove their tracks entirely for the winter months. Surfacing is ideal, but is clearly expensive and may require planning permission.

The reduced space can also be a problem in terms of herd dynamics, with careful attention required to ensure that the herd is cohesive – particularly when introducing new horses.

When creating grass tracks to manage obese animals, it can be difficult to limit the grazing enough to reduce their weight. Some users resort to using grazing muzzles or strip grazing the track to keep grass levels low.

Some horses may not suit some aspects of track life; certain ponies reportedly do not move more but instead simply wait at the hay feeder. Others escape onto the centre section, and some may find the concept of a track itself confusing. Tracks should never be designed in complicated shapes like spirals or zig-zags.

IMPROVING PASTURE

THE Equicentral system, developed by Equiculture, is a philosophy based around improving soil health in order to then maximise grass health and biodiversity, and thus produce healthy horses. The principles translate the science of regenerative agriculture in a way that can be used by horse owners.

The system proposes that horses are going to spend time “loafing” – hanging out, resting and sleeping – so we should allow them to do so in an area set up for this to let paddocks rest. The heart of the system is therefore a surfaced, non-mud area such as a stable yard or arena, where all the required resources are placed.

Leading off from this, horses have access to very lightly grazed paddocks that are rotated regularly – think maybe one week, rather than a season. Grass is never allowed to drop below 5cm in length, meaning that horses purportedly graze on the fibrous, stalky sections rather than carbohydrate-rich, stressed grass.

Horses always have access to come back to the loafing area at their choosing, but do not always have access to the field; thus, they follow a pattern of grazing for a while before returning to the yard area to drink and rest.

The Equicentral principles are based on modern sustainable farming methods. Some users suggested that they were surprised by how the grazing of “healthy” grasses led to better management of weight. Moreover, horses whose weight was a concern could also be easily kept in the loafing area, if necessary, rather than allowed out to grass – meaning that multiple horses with different dietary needs could still be managed as a cohesive herd.

The survey found that commitment was required, however, as it would take time (and possible re-seeding) before traditional horse pastures would transform into the diverse grasses which are preferable. In addition, some horses may not learn to self-regulate their intake, so the system needs careful implementation for each individual.

Some owners combined both ideas, using a surfaced, grass-free track as the loafing area, while managing the centre area to allow light grazing. This allowed them a flexible option for managing diverse horses.

The final option – woodland and moorland turnout – simply involved using non-traditional areas where horses have access to relatively low-calorie forage, due to the general lack of grass in woodland areas and the lack of improved grass species, such as rye grasses, in moorlands.

In fact, some woodland areas provided almost grass-free turnout areas, where horses could instead forage the trees and plants and eat the hay supplied. Both environments nevertheless provide enriched spaces, where horses can wander, browse and spend time in a herd.

The survey found that woodlands and moorlands were of limited use in winter, given that both are prone to becoming muddy and waterlogged. It’s also necessary to check regularly for hazards such as splintered logs or poisonous plants.

Woodlands were reportedly more useful for weight reduction than moorland areas, and may be of particular interest to readers given the number of yards that have small patches of woodland areas fenced off from horses.

A HEALTHY BALANCE

NO one grazing method may suit every situation; continual monitoring and adjustments are necessary to optimise equine health and wellbeing.

Even if none of these options is possible, however, the principles of trying to incorporate low-calorie forage, herd living, freedom of choice and enrichment are key and worthy of consideration.

The survey

THE project, which prompted 758 responses, was a collaboration between the University of Liverpool and the Blue Cross, British Horse Society, British Equine Veterinary Association, The Donkey Sanctuary, The Horse Trust, Redwings and World Horse Welfare. Read the report at: bit.ly/3cqpyBM

This feature can also be read in this week’s Horse & Hound magazine, on sale Thursday 29 April

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Even forage and pasture can contribute to an excess of sugar and starch, triggering a cascade of health problems. David Rendle FRCVS offers dietary advice

HORSES evolved on pastures that were high in fibre and low in sugar and starch. As a result, they have adapted to meet most of their energy requirements by fermenting grasses and other plants to release the energy contained within the plants’ fibrous structure.

By harnessing the ability of bacteria to ferment fibre, horses are able to satisfy their nutritional needs through the ingestion of forage alone. With domestication, however, it has become commonplace to increase their energy intake through supplementation with feeds high in sugars and starches.

Feeding energy-dense cereals was more convenient and practical than large volumes of forage, particularly when horses worked long hours, under heavy loads, in urban environments. These days, only horses performing extreme levels of exercise require supplementary feeds high in sugar and starch.

Escalating levels of equine obesity demonstrate we are failing to balance energy requirements with feed. It is estimated that around 50% of horses in the UK are very overweight or obese.

When a horse’s energy intake exceeds what he requires to remain healthy and to exercise, the surplus is converted to fat. In addition to providing a means of storing energy, fat produces “signalling molecules” that alter the metabolism – with the most notable change being a reduction in the responsiveness to insulin.

More insulin must then be produced to compensate, increasing the risk of laminitis. This combination of obesity, reduction in sensitivity to insulin and an increased laminitis risk has become known as equine metabolic syndrome (EMS).

Obesity is associated with many other health problems, including orthopaedic disease, accelerated ageing, developmental problems in youngstock, colic and poor performance. Feeding excess sugar and starch can disrupt normal bacterial fermentation in the large intestine, resulting in combinations of colitis, laminitis and the systemic disorder endotoxaemia. Starches also increase the production of acid in the stomach, increasing the risk of gastric ulcers.

PASTURE PERILS

THE simplest means of reducing a horse’s energy intake is to feed him solely forage, with an additional vitamin and mineral balancer. In favourable conditions, however, 30% of the weight of some grasses may be sugars and starches – meaning that their energy content is similar to that of some cereal-based feeds. While eliminating cereal-based feed is a good start to reducing sugar intake, for most horses this is not enough to prevent weight gain.

The sugar and starch content of grass varies dramatically, so consideration must be given to the quantity and type of grazing or forage that is being fed. Levels of sugar and starch in grass are at their highest:

• In pastures of cultivated (rather than native) grass species, such as ryegrasses, which were developed to maximise production in the livestock industry. While grass should be kept healthy, fertilisers will increase volume.
• During conditions of plant growth, when sunny weather combines with sufficient moisture. Grass seed heads are high in starch and the total sugar and starch content will reduce once the grass has shed seed and becomes woody.
• In sunny but cold or frosty weather.
• Later in the day, meaning that turnout in the morning is preferable to turnout in the evening. The sunnier the weather, the more rapidly sugar levels will increase; in bright conditions, levels may peak by midday. Grass in full sun is likely to have a higher sugar content than grass in shade.
• On heavily grazed pasture or freshly cut hay stubble. Although there will be less grass available, what remains can have a very high sugar content. Restricting the intake of healthy, steadily growing native grass is preferable to using overgrazed or stressed pasture.

While these factors are worthy of consideration, ultimately the only means of reducing energy intake to an appropriate level in a horse that is obese is to limit his access to pasture.

When pasture access is restricted, there is likely to be a requirement to feed forage in the form of hay or haylage. The aim is to feed forage with less than 10% sugar and starch after water is removed – that is, less than 10% of dry matter.

Haylage is often perceived to be more energy dense, yet it typically has a lower sugar and starch content as the sugar is fermented after the forage is wrapped. Hay is typically around 90% dry matter (10% water) and haylage around 60% dry matter (40% water). When comparing by weight, more haylage has to be fed to provide the same nutrient content.

The type of grass used and the manner in which it is preserved will have a significant influence on both the water and energy content of the resulting forage, hence the value of forage analysis. This is relatively inexpensive and well worth doing, allowing you to make informed decisions around how much forage to feed rather than just guessing. For maximum benefit, feed the same forage consistently rather than changing sources or batches.

Sugar levels in hay can vary by up to 100% and will be determined by the factors that affect the sugar content of grass when it is cut. Hay that cures slowly in mild conditions, rather than drying out rapidly in very hot weather, will have lower levels as some of the sugar will be broken down. Soaking hay prior to feeding is another effective way of reducing sugar content.

THE BOTTOM LINE

RESTRICTING a horse’s energy intake can appear complicated, but the fundamentals are very simple. Most horses only need fresh or preserved grass to provide their energy requirements; cereal-based feeds are rarely necessary.

Remember that fruit, vegetables, molasses and grains are all high in sugar and starch and are best avoided other than as an occasional treat. If you need to give feed to administer medication, use grass, alfalfa cubes or chaff rather than cereal-based mixes or cubes.

In sunny conditions, most horses given unlimited access to grass will eat more than is good for them; some form of pasture restriction is necessary. While little can be done to control the levels of sugar and starch in pasture, understanding the variables will allow better management of your horse’s energy intake.

Sugar levels in hay and haylage will also vary markedly, so forage analysis can be very helpful in assessing requirements. It is well worth seeking professional advice that is relevant to your particular situation.

Simple science: sugar and starch

CARBOHYDRATES are one of the three main classes of foods, along with proteins and fats, and provide a horse’s primary source of energy.

Carbohydrates may form part of the structure of grass (termed structural carbohydrates), or are stored by the grass as sugar or starch. These non-structural carbohydrates can be digested easily and absorbed rapidly. Glucose, fructose and galactose are the simplest sugars and the building blocks for other carbohydrates. Starches are chains of simple sugars that are broken up easily and also readily digested.

Most sugars and starches are absorbed in the small intestine. Food and water move through the small intestine in around 45 minutes; any excess sugars and starches, along with structural carbohydrates and proteins, pass through it to reach the large intestine.

Structural carbohydrates, commonly termed “fibre”, are fermented in the large intestine by bacteria. The resultant volatile fatty acids produced can be absorbed by the horse and also provide him with energy. Sugars absorbed from the small intestine should provide a relatively small proportion of the horse’s energy requirements; far more should come from the fermentation of fibre in the large intestine.

This feature is also available to read in this Thursday’s H&H magazine (22 April, 2021)

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

It is helpful to know exactly how much your horse weighs so you can monitor and notice any significant fluctuations in their weight. This knowledge can also prove beneficial when working out how much to feed your horse, wormer or medication dosages, or even how much weight your horsebox is carrying.

While guidelines for a horse’s weight in relation to his height are available, it should always be remembered that how much a horse weighs is individual and will depend on a number of factors including breed, bone density and muscle development.

A 13.2hh pony typically weighs between 300-350kg, but a fine show pony will weigh considerably less than a Welsh section C of the same height. Similarly, a 16.2hh horse is estimated to weigh between 580-650kg – a thoroughbred of that height would be at the lower part of that scale while a 16.2hh Irish draught would be at the top end.

Body condition scoring

“It’s not really practical to give an ‘ideal’ bodyweight to aim for. Body condition scoring, using visual and hands-on assessment, is preferable when evaluating whether a horse is overweight, underweight or just right,” explains Katie Grimwood, equine nutritionist at Baileys Horse Feeds.

Body condition scoring involves dividing the horse into three areas – the neck and shoulders, the body and the hindquarters and then looking at and feeling those areas and grading them on a scale of 0-5 depending on how much fat they are carrying. A score of zero would indicate that the horse is emaciated while a mark of five would suggest they are overweight. A healthy fat covering score is 2.5-3.

“Body condition scoring should become an essential part of any feeding programme and is often more use than knowing what a horse’s actual weight is, as it specifically looks at body fat coverage,” says Lizzie Drury, senior nutritionist at Saracen Horse Feeds.

“BCS gives us an indication of energy intake and expenditure and people should feel confident to ask for help and learn how to do it properly, as it is as equally important to help prevent obesity but also for optimum performance and recovery in performance horses.”

Weighing horses

Body condition scoring and weighing your horse should be done weekly, at the same time and by the same person to ensure consistency. The results should then be recorded so the figures can be monitored. Some equine nutritionists and vet surgeries can provide mobile weighbridges to allow owners to weigh their horses at home.

“Finding out the weight of your horse can be done in two main ways, using an equine weighbridge or a weigh tape. A weighbridge is the most accurate method; however they are expensive and most horse owners will not have access to one. Using a weigh tape is easier and is quicker to perform,” says Clare Barfoot, marketing and research development director at Spillers.

If using a weigh tape you should use the same one each time and ensure the horse is stood on a flat surface when the measurement is taken. The weigh tape should be measured around where a surcingle would lie.

“As equine professionals, we need to be working closely with horse owners to use bodyweight and body condition scoring to become part of their regular management routines. This will help owners to begin to understand the real health implications of optimum feed management,” concludes Lizzie.

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

You might also be interested in:

How to calculate your horse’s body condition score – is he the right weight?

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

Horses and ponies have evolved to lose weight in winter – when historically, food was scarce – and put it on in spring and summer, ready for the next cold season.

But today’s management means most horses now do not lose that weight, as they are kept well fed and rugged in the winter, but still put it on in summer, which can lead to a vast range of health issues.

Owners have been urged to take advantage of the current poorer grazing, and the fact horses need to burn more calories to keep warm, to kick-start weight loss now, and be ready for spring.

Aimi Duff, of Rainbow Equine Hospital, recommends the following:

1. Avoid excessive rugging

Considerable heat is generated by the fermentation of food in the hindgut, which keeps the horse warm. Couple this with the fact horses grow their own rugs, in the form of a winter coat, and many do not need a rug especially if stabled. In severe weather of if they must be kept clean and dry for exercise, a turnout sheet could be enough.

2. Clipping

If a horse needs to lose a lot of weight, or the pounds aren’t shifting with rug removal, consider clipping. Fat is a great insulator, so a fat unclipped horse may be wearing the equivalent of a heavyweight rug. Clipping removes some of that insulation and allows them to increase energy losses.

3. Exercise

It can be hard to exercise horses in winter but where possible, exercise should be encouraged to increase energy expenditure. Whether a brisk walk, a lunge, horse-walker exercise or work over poles, ALL exercise is important to help horses go into spring in better body condition. Exercise can also be achieved by creating a track system in the field where the perimeter of the field is fenced off to create a track. The horse is thus encouraged to move around more than they would in a conventional paddock.

4. Feed little and often

Many horses are fed unlimited forage in winter. This may result in a horse eating in excess of its daily energy requirements. It is important to consider not only the quality of the forage, but also the quantity being fed. It is better to avoid long periods of fasting by using double or tripled fine-mesh haynets to slow feeding, and splitting the daily ration into evenly-spread several portions. If you are concerned about leaving your horse without forage for short periods due to gastric ulcers, please consult your vet.

5. Beware of winter grass growth

Be aware that grass will grow when the temperature exceeds 4C. So on a mild winter day, horse may ingest a surprising amount of sugar when turned out. A horse on a grassy pasture will require much less hay, and sunny days and cold nights will cause levels of sugar in grass to rise.

On feeding, the University of Liverpool’s Harry Carslake explained that like people, horses vary greatly in their energy requirements, and that the aim of compiling feeding plans for horses is to determine each individual’s daily nutritional needs, then provide a diet that meets these needs.

As this involves questions such as what a horse’s activity level is, and how much grass it eats while turned out, Mr Carslake recommends speaking to a vet or nutritionist to devise a tailored plan.

“Before you do this, start by recording everything your horse eats over 24 hours (measure feeds in Kgs, not armfuls/scoops etc), the hours per day at pasture, the amount of exercise they do per week and any medical conditions that need to be considered,” he told H&H, adding that when devising a plan for overweight horses, there are general rules to consider.

Low sugar

Make low sugar forage the bulk of the diet. Unless in a high level of work, most horses require minimal or no additional concentrate or pelleted feeds, other than a balancer (see below). Soaking hay in cold water for 12 hours is recommended. Consider submitting hay for forage analysis, which is available from several feed companies for about £30. To reduce calorie intake, up to 30% of the hay ration can be replaced by clean straw, but this should be introduced gradually.

Trickle feeding

After speaking to your vet or nutritionist, for an overweight horse with no access to pasture and at a low level of exercise, a reasonable starting point is to feed 1.5-2% body weight of hay per day, divided into several smaller meals to encourage continuous trickle feeding.

Balancer

Feeding a low-calorie protein, vitamin and mineral balancer is recommended for any horse on a hay/haylage-only diet.

Restrict grazing

Limit access to pasture. This is much easier in winter! Horses (and people) love turnout, especially in summer but grass can contain as much sugar as pony nuts, and horses are very adept at consuming large quantities over a short time. Time at pasture and availability of grass need to be reduced (see above) and if a horse is very overweight and/or prone to laminitis pasture might need to be cut out completely.

Continues below…

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Keep feeding

Don’t starve your horse. After the first week, the aim is to lose between 0.5 and 1% of bodyweight per week. Rates higher than this can become dangerous. Feed companies and vet practices often have portable weighbridges and will visit yards.

Treats

Avoid treats such as carrots and apples. There are low-sugar fibre based treats available.

Keep notes

Monitor and record the results. Take weekly girth and belly circumference measurements, body condition scores, and if available weigh on a weighbridge. Consult your vet/nutritionist after four to six weeks and review the feeding plan.

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An overweight horse is a ticking time bomb for serious health issues. Kieran O’Brien MRCVS outlines a nine-point slimming plan

The UK equine population is in the grip of an obesity epidemic. Close to half of adult horses and ponies are overweight, studies have found, rising to nearly 70% of leisure animals.

Obesity, a preventable condition, is a key predisposing factor in most cases of laminitis – a disease that accounts for 25% of animals euthanased for health reasons every year. It contributes to other diseases, including soft tissue injuries, osteoarthritis, and colic, and has been associated with equine asthma.

Since obese horses (largely in the showing world) are the role models, it is not surprising that 50% of owners in a recent survey did not consider their obese horses to be overweight.

Many obese horses, although apparently healthy, are suffering from undiagnosed equine metabolic syndrome (EMS) and live on a laminitis cliff-edge.

Factors known to contribute to the current epidemic include a mismatch between calorie intake and workload, a tendency for owners to view overfeeding as “caring” (and, conversely, to view making necessary dietary restrictions as “uncaring”), and a failure to recognise that if a horse’s ribs are not visible or palpable, they are actually covered in fat.

In addition, some livery yard owners will not allow the grazing and management changes required to reduce food intake.

Size matters

Since the cause of obesity is multifactorial, treating and preventing it must be tailored to each horse’s situation.

Various scoring systems are available to assess fat cover objectively. On a simple five-point system, a horse scoring four (deemed fat) has well-covered ribs and hips, a firm, wide crest and an obvious gutter on his rump (an “apple bottom”). A score of five, deemed obese, indicates a firmer, wider crest, a flat back and a more pronounced apple bottom. The ideal score for a leisure horse is three; for a competition horse, two.

To bring about a healthy, long-term change in body shape, the aim is to balance steady weight loss with welfare. Sensible steps might run as follows:

• Make a plan: essentially, the only way to mobilise a horse’s fat is to decrease input (while maintaining adequate dietary bulk, and a balanced protein, vitamin and mineral intake) and increase output. This is achieved by restricting the amount of calories that grass or hay provide, eliminating calorie-rich feeds and increasing his workload. Start by determining his bodyweight (with a weigh tape or weighbridge), then aim to reduce this by 1% per week to the target weight.
• Set up strip grazing: use an electric fence and move it forward a small amount every day, with a “back fence” to prevent the horse from eating the regrowth behind him. The number of piles of droppings passed when grazing is unrestricted should reduce by between a half and two-thirds when strip grazing starts. If the number doesn’t drop to these levels, the strip is too wide.
• Select the right hay: choose the coarsest, stemmiest hay you can find. Old hay can still be high in calories; it is the age of the grass when cut and the grass species that determine calorie content. Assuming he has no access to grass, each day weigh out 2.5% (1.5% in EMS cases) of the horse’s bodyweight in hay and immerse it totally it in water, periodically agitating the net. The longer the soak, the more sugar leaves the hay – aim for at least 12 hours. Ideally, have a hay sample analysed after soaking to ensure the sugar level is not above 10%. Prolong feeding time by using a small-holed haynet, a double net or a slow feeder. Although “spoilage bacteria” may multiply in the soaking water, there is currently no evidence that these are harmful to horses. Steaming has little or no effect on calorie content.
• Avoid haylage: although in principle the haylage fermentation process does reduce sugar content, studies have shown a surge in blood insulin after feeding haylage – for reasons as yet unknown. In addition, some “high-fibre” haylages, surprisingly, if fed at a rate to provide the recommended amount of fibre, provide sufficient calories for light work and are therefore not suitable for weight control.
• Feed straw: if gradually introduced and if the horse has healthy teeth, replacement of a proportion of the hay ration with low-calorie, unchopped oat or barley straw can aid calorie dilution. Straw is eaten more slowly and so prolongs eating time when forage is restricted. A replacement rate of 30% by weight is acceptable.
• Balance the diet: because the soaking process leaches out some nutrients, a low-calorie balancer ensures an adequate intake of protein, vitamins and minerals during the dieting regime. Balancers do not provide salt; if the horse is in work, add a tablespoon daily to the feed.
• Provide exercise: light hacking is insufficient to promote weight loss; a minimum of 15 to 20 minutes of trotting per day, for five days a week, is required. Regular fast canter work should also be included. Small ponies can be exercised by being led from another horse.
• Avoid rugging: winter rugging stops the horse from increasing his metabolic rate – and burning fat – to keep himself warm. Unless fully clipped, an obese horse needs no rug indoors, and only an unlined rug if necessary to stay mud-free during turnout.
• Monitor progress: internal abdominal fat is consumed first. At a 12-week assessment, the body fat score and weigh tape measurement may appear virtually unchanged – even though the horse has genuinely lost weight. A better gauge is belly girth: a measurement taken around the widest part of the belly at the end of week one should have reduced significantly after 12 weeks. If it hasn’t, ask your vet to re-assess the feeding regime.

Muzzle know-how

Grazing muzzles have been shown to reduce grass intake by 50 to 80%, depending on the individual and the length of the grass. They enable bonded ponies to live together and interact socially, and allow more exercise than that afforded by a restricted grazing area. Not every pony will accept a muzzle, however, or learn how to use it.

Correct fitting and training are important. Use a muzzle with protective padding, ideally, showing the pony he can still eat and drink by pushing grass through the muzzle openings. Ensure there is a gap of 2.5cm between the end of the muzzle and the pony’s teeth, and at least 2-3 fingers’ space around the sides to allow chewing. Do not leave the muzzle on for more than 10 to 12 hours at a time and check the pony regularly for rubbed areas or tooth wear.

A muzzle cannot be combined with free grazing. Once it is removed, it is critically important the pony is not returned to the paddock – a hungry pony will then binge eat and may eat half his daily grass intake in as little as three hours. The time without the muzzle should instead be spent in a yard or bare paddock, where some hay or straw can be fed.

If keeping the muzzle in place proves difficult, you can try:

• Plaiting the forelock with the top of the mane, before feeding the muzzle strap through it.
• Fitting a fly mask or safety headcollar over the muzzle.
• Securing the Velcro attachments with rubber bands.
• Using electric fencing to keep the pony away from fixed obstacles that he might use to help pull the muzzle off.

Ref Horse & Hound; 6 August 2020

Horses’ expanding waistlines is a major concern for owners during the coronavirus lockdown, a survey conducted by a feed company has found.

Fizzy horses, obesity and weight-related complications were among the biggest worries reported by respondents.

Spillers ran the online survey in April, which garnered 372 responses from UK horse owners.

It found that more than half (54%) cited their biggest feed-related concern at the time was weight gain, with 41% worried about laminitis.

While 65% of respondents hadn’t changed their routine, 12% said their horses were now on 24/7 turn-out and 9% were using strip-grazing or a muzzle to limit calorie intake.

It also found that 25% of those who had been previously riding had stopped during lockdown. Among the questions about feed-related concerns, 21% of respondents were worried about fizzy or excitable behaviour, whether on the ground or when riding.

Article continues below…

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“We organised the survey to see where and how people might need support and guidance for their horses during this very difficult time,” said Clare Barfoot RNutr, marketing and research and development director at Spillers.

“Obesity and laminitis are serious issues, especially now that the grass is growing in abundance and in particular 24/7 turnout coupled with reduced exercise can significantly increase the risks.

“Now that [British Equestrian] has revised its advice and more people are likely to start riding again, excitable horses and fizzy behaviour may also become a bigger concern.”

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The National Pony Society (NPS) is set to reintroduce its summer weigh-in scheme at the annual summer championship show in August.

In 2019, Baileys Horse Feeds visited the show held at Three Counties Showground in Malvern with a weighbridge, and expert nutritionists were on hand to measure ponies’ body condition scores and offer feed advice.

The NPS says that the aim of the scheme was “not to pass judgement but to offer practical advice and guidance on feeding to ensure ponies receive a healthy balanced diet and can be maintained in optimum condition”.

At the show, 62 ponies were presented to be weighed by their owners and riders.

A broad range of breeds was seen and all were weighed, weigh-taped and body condition scored to gain an objective measure of their levels of body fat. They were also assessed for the quality of their muscle and topline.

Baileys uses a nine-point body condition score system, where five is considered moderate, one poor and nine extremely fat.

Of the ponies, 21 were given a body condition score of 6.5 while only two were scored at 8.

The topline assessment uses a four-point scale, ranging from poor to excellent. Most of the participants inspected had a “good” or “adequate” topline.

The scheme will be expanded in 2020 and it is hoped that the number of ponies presented for assessment will increase.

“We are really keen to get people talking about this and taking advantage of the free advice available through the scheme at this year’s summer championships,” said NPS representative Sacha Shaw.

For details on the NPS or the summer championships please visit www.nationalponysociety.com

What do you think of this scheme? Let us know your views by emailing hhletters@ti-media.com with your name and nearest town for the chance to be featured in the letters page a future issue of Horse & Hound magazine….

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Horse & Hound news editor Eleanor Jones shares her views on the British Equine Veterinary Association’s new pilot scheme designed to combat the life-threating risk that obesity holds for too many horses through the UK

Equine obesity is a big issue. Vets have said they put down more horses from related conditions than any other, but it is a preventable disease – and it’s man-made. Whether it’s down to the way they are kept, and possibly the stigma associated with owning a skinny horse, the problem is not getting any better.

Horses evolved to lose weight in winter, when temperatures dropped and food became scarcer, and put it on in spring and summer, in preparation for the next cold season.

But thanks to the way many are kept now, on grass that’s been compared to being “like sweets” by one vet, often over-rugged, over-fed and under-exercised, our animals are getting fatter and fatter.

There has been a huge amount of great work done on this, by vets and welfare charities, but vets are not seeing fewer obese horses, hence the new initiative, which is taking a different angle.

As has been pointed out, it is not that owners intend to mistreat their horses, it’s in most cases entirely the opposite.

A major part of the problem is anthropomorphism. When the weather is bad, the natural inclination is to want them in, “tucked up and cosy”, nice and warm in a thick rug, with plenty to eat. We’ve all been guilty of thinking, if subconsciously, that we’re cold so surely the horse must be too, and chucking a thicker rug on than may be needed.

But this is a case of doing, with the best intentions, what we think will make a horse happy, rather than what they actually want and need. Many people have reported that if horses are turned out in a field with a shelter, they don’t use it in the rain and wind when we think they’d want to be in the dry; they’ll only seek the shade out on hot summer days.

Horses have a wider thermo-neutral zone than we do – the range of temperature at which they feel neither too hot nor too cold (link) – and food keeps them warm. They use a lot of energy to maintain their temperature in winter, and if they don’t need to, if they’re too warm, weight gain can be the result.

But how do you change underlying behaviour and attitude? In general, you’ll be far more likely to get stick on a livery yard if your horse is a bit thin rather than overweight, the very language we use; “he looks well” for a well-covered animal, does not help, and because we love our horses, we want to look after them, to keep them warm and well-fed, even if we could be killing them with kindness.

It seems there is reluctance to say a horse is carrying excess weight, and offence taken if someone does point it out. Why? You can’t fat-shame a horse, he won’t take it to heart if someone says he’s carrying a few extra pounds, so why are people insulted if they’re warned, in good time, that their horse’s health could be at risk so they’ve got a chance to do something about it?

Now is the time to act, as it is easier to prevent weight gain than to get it off once it’s there. Winter is the ideal time, to take advantage of conditions and put your horse in a position where it can go into spring carrying less weight, ready for when the grass comes through. Hopefully, this BEVA scheme, which is on a six-month pilot, will make it possible to start the conversations and begin to change attitudes.

As another leading vet said, no horse ever died from being a bit lean in February. The same can’t be said for the other end of the scale.

What do you think is the key reason vets are not seeing a reduction in the number of obese horses? Let us know your views by emailing hhletters@ti-media.com with your name and nearest town for the chance to be featured in the letters page a future issue of Horse & Hound magazine…

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The aim of a new and different pilot programme aimed at tackling equine obesity is to help save as many horses’ lives as possible.

The British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) is launching a six-month pilot of its new scheme, which was developed using knowledge gained from the behavioural insights team (BIT), a government think tank specialising in behavioural economics and psychology.

The idea is to use routine annual or six-monthly vaccination visits as a chance to assess equine body condition, and use a traffic light system of vaccination reminder stickers on the front of horse passports.

A green sticker indicates an animal in healthy condition, amber is for horses who are carrying too much fat, advising that moderate action must be taken, and red means the animal is carrying excessive fat, which is putting it in “morbid danger”.

BEVA president elect Lucy Grieve, who is on the association’s obesity campaign working group and chairs its ethics committee, explained that the idea is to start conversations about equine weight, its potential health implications and how to address any issues.

Each sticker also has a QR code, which owners can scan to access videos and more information on why each colour sticker has been given, and what to do next.

“Obesity is one of the main welfare issues in the UK herd, and it’s one we can prevent if we find the right ways to get the message out there,” Mrs Grieve told H&H.

“Obesity is a manmade disease, in that it comes from how we keep horses; there’s a mismatch between what they need and what we perceive to be a happy life for them.

“We have to rein in our desire to feed and clothe and keep them warm. Of course, people aren’t trying to hurt horses; quite the opposite, but we need to re-centre the way we look at our horses.”

Mrs Grieve explained that BEVA CEO David Mountford attended a Defra-organised event at which changing people’s behaviour to improve biosecurity, involving BIT, was addressed.

Having looked into their research on how people react to different campaigns and actions — often not as had been thought — and what approaches tend to work, the BEVA team put this into practice in the obesity campaign.

“It’s really changed the way we look at some problems,” Mrs Grieve said. “It’s not about being critical but trying to educate; lots of great work has been done, by welfare charities and others, but there hasn’t been a huge change in the obesity we’re seeing, so we wanted to try to go from a different angle.”

Mrs Grieve said the stickers should help start what can be a difficult conversation, and that it should be of benefit that they come from vets. But she would ideally like all practitioners — such as farriers, bodyworkers and trainers, eventually — to provide more frequent updates on condition, so the industry is sending a consistent message to owners.

“Imagine if we could all work together, so at every visit, the owner would know whether their horse had lost weight, or maintained healthy condition,” she said.

“We know how difficult it is, and we’re not pointing fingers, but hopefully by all working together, we might see fewer and fewer obese horses.

“It’s the horse who suffers and nothing breaks my heart more than turning up to a laminitic pony with rotated pedal bones, who’s going to die if we can’t act in time.”

World Horse Welfare CEO Roly Owers told H&H the charity is “massively supportive” of the campaign.

“Despite the internet and peer pressure, the owner-vet relationship is still fundamental to horses’ health and welfare,” he said. “People still very much look to their vets as a respected source of advice.

“We also recognise that obesity is the number one welfare challenge facing the UK herd, and while there are some great initiatives, many clearly aren’t convincing owners to change their behaviour, especially as they often think they’re being kind and doing the right thing.”

Mr Owers believes the simplicity of the visual scheme could work well, including as a good way to start a difficult conversation, and as it is better to prevent weight gain in the first place. He also believes it will link well with other charities’ weight-loss advice and initiatives.

“We recognise the scale and challenge of this epidemic and need to tackle it in different ways,” he added. “We know generally that fat shaming doesn’t work but supporting people to lose weight, or owners as their horses lose weight, in a positive manner, has to be the way forward.”

Helen Whitbread of Deben Valley Equine Veterinary Clinic in Suffolk, one of the nine practices running the pilot scheme, said: “This can be a difficult subject for clients to comprehend and anything that can raise owner awareness has to be a good thing. Obesity is a welfare challenge and it is important that owners know about laminitis risk as well as the many other detrimental health issues.

“Fat on the outside is matched by fat on the inside of the horse, around important organs such as the liver; people often don’t realise that. I hope this scheme will direct owners to look at a reliable source on the BEVA website and digest the information in their own time and realise we are here willing to help them.”

The pilot scheme will run for six months, after which changes may be made, taking vets’ feedback into account.

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Showing competitors have been warned that action could be taken if ponies are travelled excessively to the detriment of their welfare – and reminded that overweight animals are likely to be penalised.

The National Pony Society (NPS) said in a statement it was “becoming increasingly concerned” that equines are being transported long distances as people chase qualifiers at shows across the country.

“At the moment, this is a warning and a reminder, but something we don’t want to see becoming a trend,” an NPS spokesman told H&H.

“Most people are sensible, and won’t drive to Scotland straight after Hickstead, for example, but one or two do need a reminder.”

The spokesman said the society is “unofficially” aware that some people, mainly those chasing Horse of the Year Show qualifiers, are “travelling ponies long distances, maybe with no rest days in between”.

“We felt we needed to remind people that they need to make sure they’re taking welfare into account,” she added.

“If we had evidence someone was felt to be travelling a pony to the detriment of its welfare, we would look at taking action.”

Any case would be considered on its own merits, but sanctions could include suspension or restricting someone’s ability to compete.

“We’re just one society but the societies are coming together and working with the Showing Council, on a common dope-testing policy and starting to work together to stop people society-hopping, so it’s something we can bring up there too,” the spokesman said.

The NPS also reminded members that overweight ponies are likely to be penalised.

“The society endeavours to communicate to the membership that the health of the ponies is paramount and would strongly recommend that owners exhibit their animals carrying the correct condition,” the statement said.

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The spokesman added that at this year’s NPS summer championships (6 to 8 August) the society and Baileys Horse Feeds will be working together to provide access to a weighbridge and nutritional advice to competitors.

“Some competitors need that education, and from someone who’s not a judge placing them in a class,” she said.

“At every judges’ conference, we drum into them about the weight issue but it still is an issue and we wanted to bring it back into the limelight.”

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At the risk of sounding like I’m showing off, I recently had to take a riding cup to be engraved. This is a pretty rare occurrence, so it was nice to have the opportunity to go to one of my favourite shops — a well-known high street key cutter and shoe heeler. It’s great in there. The men who run it are quick and efficient, but full of banter, and it’s hard to leave without a smile on your face.

On this day there were two members of staff. One of them pointed at the other and announced to the assembled customers: “My mate over there has just lost five and a half stone!”. We all looked suitably impressed and “ooh’d” and “aah’d” appropriately. He blushed a little.

When I called back in later to collect the cup, it was he of the miracle weight loss that served me. I congratulated him on his new svelte shape, and he smiled a little wistful smile.

“This weight loss business isn’t all it’s cracked up to be,” he said. “I quite liked being ‘the chubby one’ among all my friends. And I really really liked eating all the foods that kept me that way”.

It struck me that my New Forester (pictured) shares this point of view. He regards eating as a very serious business. A full haynet has to be emptied in the shortest possible time, so that as soon as he has demolished it, he can stand by his door with an imploring “nobody feeds me” look.

If I wander around the stables at feed time, the others will come to their doors to be fussed over. He will keep his nose plunged industriously into his net, like a toddler with an ice cream, until every scrap is gone. Nobody told him that thin is healthy!

And while the weight piles on at the drop of a hat, woe betide me if I try to remove it! He hangs on to every last calorie of food as though his life depends on it. Last summer we had to fitten him up for a Duke of Edinburgh expedition. I restricted his intake and trotted him up and down a lot of hills. Yet whenever I put the weight tape around his not insubstantial belly, the number stayed resolutely the same. He somehow managed to be fit and chubby at the same time, and is now the proud holder of a Silver award.

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Obesity in horses, as in humans, is not a good thing, and in recent years there has been a lot of discussion about it in the industry, with show judges in particular now tasked with calling out the worst cases. However, when it’s not about building ‘show condition’, but simply that your horse is on a mission to pile on the pounds despite your best efforts, it can be a real challenge. Spring is particularly tricky. While his fieldmates are happy to pause from grazing occasionally to doze in the sunshine, he is as busy as ever, on a self-imposed but deadly serious deadline to clear the field before it’s time to come in.

JG

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Even light exercise could help reduce the risk of horses’ developing laminitis, research has indicated.

In a study of obese equines on a restricted diet, those who were also exercised frequently did not lose more weight – but did enjoy other health benefits.

The research, carried out by Nick Bamford and colleagues at the University of Melbourne’s veterinary and agricultural science faculty, involved 24 equines.

All the horses and ponies were fed the same diet, of restricted hay, no grazing, alfalfa chaff, soya bean meal and a vitamin and mineral supplement.

One group were not worked, while the others were given 15 minutes of “brisk trot”, with five minutes’ walking before and afterwards, five days per week for 12 weeks.

At the end of the trial, the diet-only group showed a reduction in weight and body condition score. They also showed increased adiponectin, a hormone produced by fat cells, of which low levels are a risk factor for laminitis. They had decreased baseline insulin, high levels of which have been linked to increased laminitis risk.

Equines in the exercised group did not lose more weight, but the most important of the additional benefits seen in these horses was improved insulin sensitivity. Horses and ponies who are more insulin-sensitive need to produce less insulin to control blood sugar, and high levels of insulin and reduced sensitivity are risk factors for laminitis.

Continues below…

Rider told she was too heavy to ride loses two stone to get back on board

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Over-rugging and rider and horse obesity are among the issues affecting horses in this country, World Horse Welfare has warned

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“Reducing calorie intake and feeding a diet low in starch and sugar should be the priority for overweight horses and ponies,” said Spillers’ research and development manager Clare Barfoot RNutr. “But the results of this study suggest that exercise may offer additional health benefits for obese horses and ponies and/or those with equine metabolic syndrome that cannot be achieved by cutting calories and weight loss alone.”

The research is part of Spillers’ ongoing work via the Waltham Equine Studies Group to increase knowledge of equine obesity.

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Owners have been urged to take action now to kick-start equine weight loss, to prevent the development of serious health conditions.

Leading veterinary figures are warning that obesity is the biggest issue facing UK equines today, and that failure to act on excess weight can have fatal consequences.

David Rendle, a specialist in internal medicine at Rainbow Equine Hospital, Yorkshire, warned that laminitis is the most serious issue, and that although native-type ponies are more prone to the weight gain that causes it, other horses and ponies can also develop the condition.

Mr Rendle, a member of the British Equine Veterinary Association’s medicines and ethics and welfare committees, added that although much has been made of PPID (Cushing’s) as a cause of laminitis, “more horses and ponies are getting laminitis because they’re fat”.

“Unfortunately people often don’t notice the obesity,” he told H&H. “Weight gain occurs gradually and people are now so used to seeing horses that carry large amounts of fat that overweight is seen as normal. It is easier to treat with a medication, whether for PPID or equine metabolic syndrome, than to implement management change but without the latter management of laminitis is often unsuccessful and bouts of laminitis recur. Most cases of laminitis are entirely preventable with correct management.”

Mr Rendle said some people’s perception of body condition score is skewed, so owners often believe their horses should be fatter than is ideal, and that while laminitis is the most serious consequence of obesity, there are of course other issues such as equine metabolic syndrome and an increased risk of orthopaedic disease, undesirable behaviour and poor performance.

Vets told H&H that owners should take advantage of winter – with its poorer grazing and horses’ increased need of calories to keep warm – to kick-start weight loss. Horses have evolved to lose weight in winter and put it on during spring and summer. While many still do gain in summer, modern practices mean fewer horses shed weight during winter, which leads to year-on-year weight gain with the associated welfare issues.

Advice from vets includes appropriate feeding, rugging and exercise, summarised in a list of tips for owners.

Continues below…

Vets’ top tips for vital winter weight loss

Top vets have shared advice on how to get horses and ponies in suitable condition before the spring

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“To be ready for April/May, people need to take action now,” Mr Rendle said.

“There is no doubt that obesity is the biggest threat to equine welfare in the UK today, we are a nation of horse lovers and in loving our animals too much we are exposing them unnecessarily to potentially fatal diseases.”

World Horse Welfare research and education officer Alana Chapman, said: “Overweight horses and ponies continue to be one of the most pressing welfare challenges facing our equine population today and so it is essential that owners take the necessary steps to manage their equines’ weight.

”Their weight needs to be monitored regularly throughout the year using a combination of weight taping (or using a weighbridge if you have access to one) and body condition or fat scoring. This allows you to quickly spot any changes and address them straight away through diet, exercise or day to day management.

“In winter it is natural for horses to lose a bit of weight as they expend more energy on keeping warm and for many horses it is important they do so in order to help keep them within healthy weight range when the spring grass comes through. Speak to your vet if you need any assistance.”

For more on equine obesity, as well all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss this week’s Horse & Hound magazine, on sale 10 January.

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Spillers’ equine nutritionist Clare Barfoot provides one H&H forum user with some helpful advice on how to manage feeding an overweight horse or pony

Q: Overweight pony: “I am literally at my wits end. I have a six-year-old, 14.3hh Connemara mare that I have had since she was two. When I bought her, she was on the round side, and I thought this was due to her having been out with unlimited grazing. However, having now had her for four years, I now realise that she has a serious problem! She goes out for approximately eight hours a day with a grazing muzzle on at all times. She is exercised every day (either ridden or lunged, perhaps with one day off a week). She has 6kg of soaked hay a day and one small handful of Happy Hoof a day, just to make her feel as though she has had something when the others are fed. I only use Baileys high fibre nuggets for treats, and she is not unfit. She is still massive. I am almost embarrassed to take her anywhere in public as I am sure people are judging me for over-feeding her. I even had someone I know stop me in the road when I was riding commenting how fat she is. What advice do you have please?”

A: I feel for you as slimming an overweight pony down can be challenging and it sounds like you have really been trying. But unfortunately if your mare is still not losing weight, she is still consuming too many calories.

It’s actually amazing how much dedicated ponies can consume even with a grazing muzzle on, meaning you may have to take more drastic action.

Continued below…

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• Find out how to feed a good-doer for more energy
• Read more expert feeding advice

This may require controlling all the calories your pony consumes, turning out in a bare paddock and replacing the grass with soaked hay.

Look for the lowest calorie hay you can or consider mixing in some clean straw to further reduce its energy. With regards to the amount don’t reduce her fibre intake below 15/grams (dry matter) per kilo bodyweight per day. As a guide this is approximately 8kg of hay for a 450kg pony.

Gut fill can reduce significantly during the first week so it’s best to take a starting weight at the beginning of week two. If you don’t have access to a weighbridge use a weigh-tape or better still try measuring belly girth (around the widest part of the belly) as this is quite sensitive to weight loss and often shifts before any appreciable change in body condition.

Remember to adjust forage intake to reflect hopefully a downward trend in bodyweight. Don’t neglect nutrient intake even when you are cutting calories — opt for a balancer designed to complement a calorie restricted diet.

Continued below…

Of course weight loss is also helped by exercise so keep that up and find some hills to do some faster work up as this will burn significantly more calories than walking or trotting on the flat.

Slimming a ‘weight loss’ resistant horse or pony down requires real dedication and while it can be frustrating, you and your pony will reap the rewards of a slimmer, fitter, healthier pony. For more information on weight management visit the SPILLERS website.

For more information on feeding call the SPILLERS Care-Line on 01908 226626.

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Weight is one of the biggest welfare issues facing British horses today, according to a leading charity.

World Horse Welfare chief executive Roly Owers said both equine and human weight are issues; overweight horses and riders who are of inappropriate size for their mounts are both causes for serious concern.

Mr Owers said that at a recent sponsored cross-country ride, he saw “a lot” of riders who were not of an appropriate weight for the horses or ponies they were on.

“For me, this is a ‘silent’ but hugely significant problem which can be severely detrimental to equine welfare,” he added.

“An initial study by the Animal Health Trust [AHT], in partnership with a number of organisations including the British Equestrian Federation and World Horse Welfare, found there was a definite temporary effect of rider weight as a proportion of horse weight on gait and behaviour, but we need more research.

“The goal is to put together practical guidance which will help riders assess if they are an appropriate weight for their horse, as current guidelines related to bodyweight ratios are quite crude and can be misleading – particularly as an overweight horse is certainly not more capable of carrying a heavier rider – in fact the opposite is true.”

The research, which was carried out in September at World Horse Welfare’s Hall Farm, Norfolk, involved six horses and four riders.

The riders all rode “to a reasonable standard”, and their weight was variously classed as light, moderate, heavy and very heavy.

The AHT said that although the data collected is still being analysed, initial findings confirmed a “substantial temporary effect of rider weight as a proportion of horse weight (but not necessarily body mass index per se) on gait and behaviour”.

Article continues below…

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“This study highlights the need for further research for which additional funding will be required,” said the AHT spokesman at the time.

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Industry experts are warning that a rise in obesity is a real and significant threat to the health of Britain’s equines.

The 2015 National Equine Health Survey (NEHS) recorded 23% of horses and ponies in the UK as overweight — up from 16.9% in 2014 and 7.8% in 2013. As in humans, too much weight can increase the risk of serious and life- threatening conditions for horses.

Dr Sue Dyson, from the Animal Health Trust, described obesity as “a potential silent torturer” at the World Horse Welfare conference this month (10 November).

She warned there is a common misconception about what constitutes a healthy weight and urged vets to be clearer.

“We must be direct and tell people when their horses are too fat,” she said.

“There has to be global education — not just the lay person but the veterinary professional as well. We have to educate owners, trainers and judges.”

She said she now sends around an eighth of her equine clients home with diet plans.

Laminitis in horses not usually susceptible to the condition and increased risk of injury and arthritis are areas of particular concern to Dr Dyson.

“Not only does increased body load potentially exacerbate the clinical signs of osteoarthritis, we also know that through the metabolism of fat, there are chemical mediators that can actually enhance the osteoarthritic process,” she added.

“You do not see obese racehorses, elite endurance horses, elite event horses or professional polo ponies.

“However, we do see obese show ponies, dressage horses and lower-level competition horses.”

Other recent studies also show excess weight is a problem for British equines.

Out of 792 veterinary-registered horses in Great Britain, 31.2% were overweight

(Robin et al, 2015) and in 158 horses studied in the East Midlands, 20.6% were too fat (Stephenson et al, 2014).

Dr Pat Harris, from the Waltham Equine Studies group, is a European veterinary specialist in equine nutrition.

“Obesity is a problem, particularly in our leisure and pleasure horse population,” she told H&H. “All the work that we are doing and our surveys show us that.”

However, the NEHS recorded the number of owners using weight tapes increased from 50% in 2014 to 64% this year — perhaps showing an increased awareness.

It also found that almost all owners and keepers of overweight equines took steps to manage their horse’s weight.

What is causing it?

Over-rugging, the human obesity crisis, lack of exercise and “fashion” are among the causes for fat horses, said Dr Dyson.

Dr Harris added that other factors, such as the nutrient content of many equine pastures and perhaps even selection over the years towards good doers, could be resulting in the increase of recorded cases.

Raised awareness coupled with owners being more honest about their animal’s body condition could also be to blame, she added.

Sam Chubbock, from World Horse Welfare, agreed that much of the evidence is based on owner questionnaires rather than veterinary diagnosis.

“Even so, the results of this year’s NEHS make alarming reading,” she told H&H. “The problem of excess weight is too prevalent and can be as much of a welfare concern as being significantly underweight.”

What can be done?

“Worryingly we are seeing an increasing number of concerns relating to overweight or obese horses,” said Gemma Stanford of the British Horse Society.

World Horse Welfare has a series of “right weight” materials on its website.

“We also need to give owners the confidence to take the necessary steps in managing their horse’s weight, which can be made very difficult due to the peer pressure often experienced in livery yard situations,” added Ms Chubbock.

“If all horses on a yard are grazing on a lush field of grass, in thick rugs — it makes it very difficult for one owner to strip graze their horse or leave it unrugged.”

Rugged horses do not need to use as much energy to keep them warm, so this can be stored as fat instead.

Steps such as soaking hay, using small- holed hay nets, minimal energy-providing concentrate feeds, no treats, more exercise and removing rugs can all help.

Dr Harris added that prevention is better than cure and that managing weight loss involves more than just reducing energy intake — horses need the right quality protein, vitamin and mineral support. Any weight loss programmes also have to take into account that horses are trickle feeders and cannot be left for long periods without forage.

“There may be an increase in awareness, but there needs to be even more,” said Dr Harris. “We need to encourage all areas of the industry to promote a lower body condition score as being positive.”

H&H advises owners to speak to your vet or nutritionist if you have concerns.

Case study

Dollar, a 14hh gelding, arrived at World Horse Welfare’s Penny Farm centre when very overweight, suffering from laminitis and intermittent lameness.

Over nine months of rehabilitation, Dollar lost 28 stone to reach a healthy weight.

“This figure often shocks people, as it can be very difficult to judge how much extra weight a horse is carrying,” Ms Chubbock said.

“To many people, Dollar only appears slightly overweight initially, so it comes as a real shock to discover that his excess weight is equivalent to carrying two or more adults 24 hours a day.”

Once he had lost the weight, he was no longer lame and his laminitis was brought under control.

Ref: H&H 26 November, 2015

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Owners could be struggling to see when a horse is overweight, a study has found.

A recent survey indictaed that 89% of owners that took part could not spot all the overweight equines in 12 pictures.

The survey was circulated through UK-based equine forums.

A total of 546 people responded — 98% were women. The ratio of amateurs to professionals who replied was 81% to 19%.

Just 11% correctly identified all the overweight animals from the photos.

“We know that for owners to instigate a weight loss regime, they have to be able to recognise whether their horse is overweight,” said study author Philippa Morrison, a PhD student at the University of Liverpool.

Whether a rider was professional or not did not affect their ability to see which animals were overweight.

The study also found that people thought the cobs pictured were overweight, even if they were not.

The participants were asked to rate how suitable each animal was for taking part in various equestrian sports.

Most said that the overweight equines would be best suited to showing.

“We knew anecdotally that the showing sector is where there is quite a big problem with weight,” Miss Morrison added.

She added that the results of the study could help feed companies target nutritional advice for horse owners.

The findings were presented at an animal obesity conference in Sweden in June and published in the Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica journal on 25 September.

H&H vet Karen Coumbe said: “It is an interesting piece of research and anything that raises awareness about obesity has to be good, although it can be hard to be sure from photos. It is much more obvious when the horse is standing there in front of you and you can feel for fat.”

Ref: H&H 29 October, 2015

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Feeding a good doer can be a real challenge. One day he's looking great, then seemingly overnight, he turns into a chubby Thelwell pony. How did that happen? It could be due to one of the following reasons...

1. You’re feeding too much for his workload

Calorie-counting is the same with horses as it is with humans — if they take in more calories than they burn off, they’ll put on weight. A 500 kilo horse in hard work will burn nearly twice as many calories a day as his mate who weighs the same, but is ridden lightly twice a week — 34,500 calories as opposed to 20,000, according to Dengie equine nutritionist Tracey Hammond. You need to make sure your horse is receiving the right amount of feed for his weight and workload and no more, or he’ll gain weight. Most of the feed companies contain detailed information about this on their websites.

2. You’re feeding incorrectly for his breed

Native breeds have evolved to be good doers, making the most of poor quality grazing. “Natives generally require feeds of a lower calorie level as they maintain their weight easily, but they still need lots of fibre to maintain digestive and behavioural health,” says Dengie’s Tracey Hammond.

“Starving them is definitely not what needs to happen — we just need to feed lower calorie fibre sources. While native types don’t tend to require additional concentrate feeds to provide calories, what they do need is a balanced diet,” she adds.

“UK pasture can easily exceed energy requirements of most horses at rest or in light work, but it doesn’t supply everything that they need in that it tends to lack trace minerals, for example copper, zinc and selenium. If they are on a hay only diet, this can also extend to a lack of vitamins and good quality protein as well. So for native types that hold their weight well, a feed balancer or vitamin and mineral supplement with a small amount of low calorie fibre feed is really all they need in addition to grazing and hay.”

Continued below…

6 things to remember when feeding your competition horse

We talk you through the dos and don'ts of feeding the performance horse for optimum condition with the help of

3. You’re feeding incorrectly for his age

Feeding young horses correctly is important to ensure they grow at an appropriate rate. “The most important thing when feeding youngstock additional calories is that we ensure that the diet is completely balanced at all times,” says Briony Mitchell, equine nutritionist with Bailey. “The majority of growth and development problems occur when there is too much energy/calories going into the diet and not sufficient levels of vitamins, minerals and quality protein. Ideally you would want to keep youngsters in relatively light condition (4-4.5 out of 9) as this reduces the amount of pressure and strain on growing joints and limbs.”

Equally, once your horse starts to age, you may find he needs more calories to maintain his condition as his ability to chew hard feed may be impared by dental issues. Also the digestive system of the older horse tends to be less efficient at processing feed. However, not all horses need a ‘veteran’ mix, so monitor their condition and speak to a nutritionist if you need advice on what best to feed your older horse.

4. You’re feeding too much for the time of year

In spring and summer, grass is richer; in winter, it’s poorer and sparser. According to Allen & Page, in winter, your horse will use up to 80% of his feed energy to keep warm, and his weight may drop accordingly. However, most horse owners prefer their horses to maintain a steady weight throughout the year. Condition score your horse regularly so you know whether he needs more or less feed, as the level required will fluctuate with the seasons.

5. You don’t know what he weighs

Horses in light/medium work need to consume 2% of their body weight in mainly forage (70-100% of their food intake) a day, says Tracey Hammond — and if you don’t know how much he weighs, how do you know if he’s getting that, too much, or too little? Invest in a good weigh tape or take advantage of the weigh bridge services that some feed companies offer.

6. You’re not weighing his feed

If you have a horse that’s prone to piling on the pounds, it’s not good enough just to fling some feed into a bucket and hope for the best. You need to be strict with him — and yourself — and weigh his feed. As a rule (as stated above) a 500 kilo horse needs 20,000 calories a day in order to maintain his weight. There are approximately 7-8 MJ (or 2,000 calories) in a kilo of good quality hay according to Tracey Hammond, so if you’re stuffing his haynet with 10 kilos of hay each night, he’s already receiving all the calories he needs just for maintenance — and that’s before you include any grass or hard feed. If you’re worried about him scoffing his hay ration in under an hour and standing with an empty net for the rest of the night, then invest in a trickle net tto encourage him to eat more slowly.

7. You’re feeding too much hard feed

According to Dengie, research conducted in recent years suggests that many diseases including laminitis, colic, gastric ulcers, Developmental Orthopaedic Disease (DOD), Equine Rhabdomyolysis Sydrome (ERS) and Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy (PSSM) are linked to high starch diets, which is why a “fibre revolution” has begun. Many feed companies now offer fibre-based feeds among their products.

8. All hard feeds are not created equal

Once you’ve worked out how many calories your horse needs for his weight, breed, age and level of work, then check the calorie intake he’ll receive from his hard feed as the different types and brands vary enormously.

9. Your grass is too good

Grass can contain a lot of sugar and calories, particularly in summer. You may need to reduce or cut out hard feed altogether to take this into account. If you do decide to cut back on your horse’s hard feed ration, consider feeding a balancer or all-round vitamin and mineral supplement instead to ensure your horse still gets all he needs to remain healthy.

10. You’re buying the wrong hay

“If you have a good doer, you need to choose the most suitable forage possible — a late cut, coarser hay/haylage will typically be less nutritious than an early cut forage,” says Briony Mitchell. “In addition to this, or if you can’t find a more suitable forage, you can soak the hay for 14-16 hours to leach some of the goodness.”

11. You’re trying to starve him into being skinny

Horses can’t do ‘crash diets’ any more than humans can. In fact, they’re designed to trickle feed, which means they need an almost constant supply of forage for their digestive system to work correctly, says Briony Mitchell. If you withhold food from them, they may develop ulcers, and may also gorge quickly on food when presented with it. Any dietary changes need to be introduced gradually and over a significant period of time to be effective.

12. He’s a good doer

Some horses just seem to get fat on thin air. If your horse seems to be putting on weight despite taking all the precautions above, then speak to your vet, as he may need to have a special feeding programme devised for him. Being a good doer can also present a problem in competition horses, as feeding them for their level of activity can provide too many calories and cause them to gain weight. One solution is to feed less hard feed and a good balancer instead, suggests Briony Mitchell.

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A new way to monitor body fat in horses, similar to the Body Mass Index used in humans, has been developed to assist weight loss in equines.

Body Condition Index (BCI) was created through a five-year study by the University of Melbourne, Australia, and the Waltham Equine Studies Group to provide a more practical way to assess body fat and weight loss in horses.

Equine obesity is an increasing problem. In last year’s National Equine Health Survey, 16.9% of horses or ponies were recorded as overweight — more than double the previous year’s figure of 7.8%.

BCI has been created to allow owners to manage weight loss more effectively, and in doing so improve the health of horses.

“The new index is a very promising tool for a more objective estimation of body fat percentage in the field,” said Clare Barfoot, registered nutritionist at Spillers.

“It could be especially useful if horses and ponies are assessed by more than one person, particularly if they are not experienced at body condition scoring.”

The study involved 22 adult horses and ponies of mixed breeding with body condition scores ranging from 4 to 8.5 out of 9.

Their BCI was derived from repeated measurements of heart girth, belly girth, body length, neck circumference and height to the withers.

Results were compared to an accurate body fat percentage, determined using a proven scientific method.

BCI corresponded reasonably well and on a similar level to body condition scoring.

While body condition scoring is a valuable way of keeping track of weight on a routine basis, it is subjective and therefore potentially less accurate for inexperienced assessors.

“A more accurate way of monitoring fat, used in conjunction with body condition scoring, should make it easier for owners to manage weight loss programmes more effectively and this means healthier horses,” added Ms Barfoot.

The work will be presented at the Equine Science Society in Florida this month and the new fat recording method will be made accessible to owners globally for free in the near future.

Owners will be able to calculate BCI by themselves once this method is made available.

“Obesity in horses and particularly ponies is an increasing problem, similar to the issue it is in people, so anything that can help everyone understand and manage this serious problem is very welcome,” added vet Karen Coumbe.

If owners find their horses are overweight they are urged to consult with their vet or nutritionist for diet advice.

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Is your horse too fat? Would you like him to shed some pounds?

Nutraceutical company FreeStep Superfix is appealing for 60 overweight horses to take part in a clinical trial to test its new weight-loss plant compound.

“We know it works,” said FreeStep Superfix director Andrea Gentles. “It has been designed to break down adipose tissue — hormonal cells that join together when sugar rises in the blood, causing fat pads and cresty necks.”

Trial horses are required to be overweight or good-doers, with a cresty neck, and on no medication.

They will be measured and weighed by 4 researchers before and after the trials. Owners will be given the compound to feed as well as advice on nutrition, turnout and exercise, to ensure all trialists are on a similar diet. The gut will also be tested, so owners will have to collect and freeze fresh droppings at the start and end of the trial.

Ideally, horses should be based in the Midlands — particularly Staffordshire, Shropshire, Warwickshire and Cheshire — to facilitate data collection, but owners from further afield are encouraged to apply to ensure adequate numbers.

The trial will be run by the Ibers team at Aberystwyth University’s department of animal and microbial scientific research over 4 weeks in April and May. It follows a recent trial of the compound on dogs, 100% of which lost at least 16% of their bodyweight. It will assess the metabolites associated with obesity, equine metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance, and the effect of the plant compound.

This clinical trial will form part of a presentation at the European Society of Veterinary and Comparative Nutrition Congress in Utrecht, 11-13 September.

Contact: Dr Carol Michael, tel: 01286872506

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The owners of pampered and domesticated ponies are often encouraged to use natural seasonal variations in metabolism and food availability to control their animals’ bodyweight.

But how do those horses and ponies wintering out on the UK’s moors and uplands fare?

Some free-living moorland and hill ponies become very thin in the harsh winters on their home ranges, when food becomes scarce and shelter limited.

To see whether Shetland ponies suffered any ill effects from winter feed restrictions, German scientists compared the body weights and blood samples from out-wintered Shetlands given adequate food with those deprived of food in the way that would occur if they were foraging for themselves in the wild. The 2 groups were otherwise treated identically.

In the deprived group, food was reduced in quantity and quality over the winter until they were receiving only 70% of their maintenance requirement by the end of February.

Compared with those fed just enough, the deprived ponies did suffer some ill effects. Their body mass and body condition scores declined gradually before Christmas, when the loss accelerated. By the end of February, they had lost nearly 20% of their starting weight.

Their blood samples showed that the fatty acids in their blood rose initially, as they burned fat reserves. Total blood proteins then fell, ending up at or below critical levels. Interestingly, their metabolism differed from that reported for horses in similar situations.

So we should be concerned about free-living ponies in harsh winters. While blood samples may be useful in assessing starvation welfare cases in ponies, however, this is not necessarily the case with horses.

Is your horse overweight? According to feed company Dengie, many owners are unable to tell if their horse is too fat.

An online poll conducted by the company has shown that nearly 20% of horse owners either didn’t know or weren’t sure how to tell if their horse was overweight.

And Dengie is offering a free service to help tackle the problem. Its nutrition team is visiting yards with a portable weighbridge and offering advice on how to condition-score — an important way to tell whether a horse’s body weight is made up of fat.

“[The results of the poll] could go some way to explaining why obesity is on the increase,” said a Dengie spokesman.

“The perception of “normal” weight has shifted and is now much larger than it would have been 20 or 30 years ago. Bigger is often regarded as better in the showring or dressage arena, and fat on the topline can sometimes be mistaken for muscle tone.”

To arrange a yard clinic (there must be a minimum of 10 horses) contact the Dengie Feedline on 0845 345 5115 or visit www.dengie.com

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Recent research has found that around 50% of horses in the UK are overweight and yet many of their owners believed their horses were in good condition. This video from World Horse Welfare explains how to regularly assess the weight of your horse, to ensure that he remains a healthy weight for his type and height.

Half our horses could be obese — and many owners are blind to the problem. So found a recent study by University of Nottingham’s School of Veterinary Medicine and Science.

Questionnaires were sent to 500 leisure horse owners registered with Oakham Veterinary Hospital in Leicestershire, of whom 160 responded.

The owners were asked to body score their horses and one in five said they thought their horses were overweight or obese.

But when 15 of these horses were physically assessed for condition by researchers, it was found several owners had significantly underestimated their horse’s weight, suggesting the number of overweight or obese horses could be as great as 54%.

Dr Sarah Freeman supervised the research and said: “This provides a snapshot of the prevalence of obesity in horses in the UK.

“Eight of the owners had scored their horse at least a grade lower than the researcher did, indicating that many underestimate their horse’s weight.”

She said a larger scale survey would be useful to get a fuller view.

The research does not surprise Vicki Alford of the Blue Cross, which launched a Fat Horse Slim campaign last year.

“Forty per cent of the horses coming into our centres are overweight or obese,” said Vicki.

“Equine obesity can be a killer, but many owners are not aware their horse is overweight.”

And Lee Hackett, the British Horse Society’s head of welfare, said the findings corresponded with the society’s experience.

“We are seeing a lot more genuine welfare cases concerning overweight horses than we have done previously,” he said. “Obesity leads to a compromised immune system, so fat horses are more likely to pick up bugs. And it has a very negative effect on fertility. It really is dangerous.”

This news story was first published in the current issue of Horse & Hound (3 February, 2011)

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1. Condition scoring

Use condition scoring to work out if your horse is carrying too much fat. This can be combined with regular use of a weigh tape. What is condition scoring? [PDF download]

2. Review your feed

Ask an equine nutritionist whether you are feeding your horse appropriately. It is easy to end up feeding more calories than your horse actually needs. Most feed companies offer advice free by phone or email. View feed helpline numbers. You may find a low-calorie chaff with a general vitamin and mineral supplement is all your horse requires.

3. Don’t crash diet

Horses need a steady supply of forage to keep their gut functioning normally, so don’t leave them stabled for long periods without hay. Replace haylage/top quality hay with hay of a lower nutritional value and soak it for a minimum of 12hours to remove the calories. Do not feed dusty or mouldy hay.

4. Control grass intake

Most leisure horses get more calories than they need from grass alone. You can restrict their grass intake through strip grazing, turning out in a paddock with limited grass or wearing a muzzle. Find ways to cut down the amount of grass they get without stopping them from eating completely. You can find useful tips in this video.

5. Improve fitness for more energy

If your overweight horse is lazy to ride, don’t be tempted to feed small amounts of high energy feed for more ‘oomph’. A high energy feed is also high in calories, which will just make the horse even fatter. Reduce the horse’s calorie intake so they lose weight and work on their fitness to give them more energy.

6. Walk more

A brisk walk or steady trot will burn more fat than faster work such as canter. Find ways to build more active walking into your horse’s day to help increase weight loss.

7. Reduce your horse’s rugs

If your horse is overweight consider whether it could go without a rug or if it could wear a lighter weight one than the one it is currently wearing. Remember that the process of digesting fibre in the horse’s gut generates heat and keeps the horse warm from the inside out.

8. Treat your horse as an individual

Don’t feed or rug your horse just because everyone else does. Consider what your horse needs and tailor your care to their requirements.

9. Monitor your horse

Horses can put on weight very quickly so fat scoring and weightaping your horse fortnightly will help you spot any changes. Most of us become blind to changes in our own horses because we see them every day. Take time out to review their condition.

10. Use the internet

For more handy tips to help maintain your horse’s weight at the right levels log on to www.worldhorsewelfare.org/rightweight and view the World Horse Welfare video below.

Scientists are looking for new ways to measure obesity in horses and ponies after research released last month questioned the accuracy of conventional body condition or “fat scoring” systems.

The study by the University of Liverpool and supported by World Horse Welfare found ponies on a strict 12-week diet lost weight but kept the same fat score.

“This highlights the concern that body condition scoring may not be the most effective way to monitor early weight loss in ponies,” said Clare Barfoot, research development manager at Spillers.

The body conditioning scoring system gives an idea of how fat a pony is based on their appearance — a score of one indicating emaciated, nine being obese.

In the new study, five Welsh mountain pony mares, with an average body condition score of 6.8, were fed a restricted diet for 12 weeks.

During the time the ponies lost 12% of their body weight — but their body condition scores remained the same.

Lecturer Dr Caroline Argo from the University of Liverpool said: “More than 50 per cent of equines are thought to be obese but we don’t know much about fat in horses — which deposits are dangerous, how it is distributed and so on.

“Sometimes animals hide fat inside their body. Condition scoring looks at the outside

of the animal, but the research shows it is not always a true picture of condition. We need

to develop a system to determine fatness.”

Dr Argo also urged owners to keep dieting fat animals: “Sometimes owners don’t see a difference and give up, but the horses may be losing weight, albeit not visibly. It is essential to measure the girth regularly as well as using conventional scoring tests.”

The research was part of a study looking at how to diet fat animals safely.

World Horse Welfare deputy chief executive Tony Tyler added: “Nobody knew that ponies could lose weight and for a period of time appear unchanged when fat scored.

“Fat scoring does identify overweight horses and we would still recommend its use in conjunction with a weigh tape. A cautious approach needs to be taken when dieting your horse and advice should be sought from your vet.”

This news story was first published in Horse & Hound (8 October, ’09)

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Experts from the International League for the Protection of Horses (ILPH) are taking their flab-fighting tips on the road this summer with the ILPH Right Weight Road Show (RWRS).

The team is targeting overweight horse and ponies, teaching owners how to guage their animals’ weight and keep it to a healthy level.

The RWRS team is asking owners at livery yards and stables around the country to contact them if they’d like the Road Show to come to their yard.

And the tour kicks off in Bedfordshire in May, followed by Essex in June and Scotland in July.

Project manager Samantha Lewis said: “Our research suggests that over 80% of leisure horses in the UK are overweight and this problem seems to be increasing.

“But unlike the many welfare cases the ILPH deals with, most overweight horses are that way because their owner is caring and has the best of intentions.”

The team will show owners how to correctly weigh their horses, teach them how to fat score and give them diet tips for their horses along with an equine nutritionist.

Many owners work very hard to keep their horses so the help offered by the team is given in a relaxed and informal atmosphere.

If you would like the RWRS to come to your yard, visit the UK Operations area of the ILPH website www.ilph.org and click on the Right Weight or telephone Samantha Lewis on 01953 497217

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

Anyone who has owned a native pony will be familiar with its ability to create fat out of thin air, and with the difficulties in management this causes. Now at last, as a result of work done at the University of Missouri, a condition called Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS) has been recognised.

This condition may explain why domesticated ponies are so prone to obesity and laminitis, and is possibly the result of evolutionary developments that enable native breeds to survive harsh weather and food shortages.

In the wild, ponies are programmed to put on weight during the relatively lush summer and autumn months, with fat (stores of energy) distributed around the body in preparation for leaner times. Significantly, fat is preferentially laid down in the abdomen, where it is known as omental fat.

Until recently, it was thought that these fat cells (known as adipocytes) were just benign stores of energy. But research has shown that adipocytes are in fact active and can produce a variety of hormones known as adipokines. These help control and regulate a number of body processes and are programmed towards enhancing our native ponies’ ability to endure periods of environmental harshness.

It appears that the omental adipocytes produce an especially significant range of adipokines that, among other things, generate an increase in the level of circulating cortisol. This steroid is instrumental in inhibiting the action of the hormone insulin (which controls blood glucose levels), and results in insulin resistance and a degree of hyperglycaemia.

In relatively fat ponies entering the winter months, this insulin resistance has a physiological benefit. It preserves and prioritises glucose (and therefore energy) for essential areas such as the brain, at the expense of non-essential tissues like muscle.

As the pony gradually loses weight during the winter, so the level of omental fat reduces and the state of insulin resistance becomes reversed. Eventually, spring arrives and the pony is in a lean but healthy condition — ready to indulge safely in the pleasures of rich grazing.

Unfortunately, this system has become unbalanced as a result of domestication. It has meant that the average equine diet is too rich and too plentiful. Grain-based feeds tend to be the main culprit, but even hay and other forages are now made from improved pastures and so have a high nutritional value.

Many ponies enter the winter in an over-fat state and maintain this level of condition, so the state of insulin resistance is not reversed. Long-term insulin resistance has various undesirable consequences, which include chronic hypoglycaemia and hyperinsulinaemia (high blood glucose and insulin levels respectively). Ultimately, a condition of glucotoxicity (too much sugar) arises and this significantly increases the risks of laminitis developing.

“Metabolic syndrome” has been used to describe this scenario. It is well recognised in humans, where there is a very obvious link between obesity and cardio-vascular disease. Human glucotoxicity causes an increase in blood pressure (hypertension), which predisposes to coronary disease — and also insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (due to the exhaustion of the pancreas’s insulin-secreting abilities).

It is thought that hypertension in ponies could predispose them to laminitis rather than heart disease — and a state of diabetes mellitus is recognised but tends to be insulin-dependent because there is no evidence that the pancreas becomes exhausted.

EMS has many characteristics similar to Cushing’s disease, which is why it has often been termed “peripheral Cushing’s disease”. However, this is misleading because there is nothing wrong with the pituitary or adrenal glands in cases of EMS, as there is with Cushing’s.

Referring to it as the “laminitis-hypothyroidism syndrome” is also inaccurate because there is no evidence of any thyroid malfunction. Other names include “obesity-related laminitis”, “equine syndrome X” and “insulin resistance syndrome” — but EMS is

now universally preferred.

EMS can be difficult to recognise because the signs are often very subtle and it can be confused with Cushing’s or even hyperthyroidism. In general, EMS is seen in ponies, cobs and warmbloods under 15 years of age, whereas Cushing’s tends to affect older equines of any age.

Common signs of EMS

• Obese adult horse (although a minority may be normal sized)
• Abnormal body fat distribution, eg thickened, cresty neck; excess fat around head of tail; fatty shoulders; flabby, fatty sheath; pot-bellied look
• “Good doer” who puts on weight easily and loses it with great difficulty
• Unexplained laminitis that may be obvious and severe or very subtle, eg abnormal hoof growth; laminitic rings on hoof wall and expansion of white line with no apparent lameness
• Ravenously hungry all the time
• Urinating frequently
• Lethargic and lazy
• Infertile or abnormal cycles in mares

There is no one test for EMS. Raised blood glucose is strongly suggestive, especially if the animal is under the age of 15 and showing some of the signs listed. Occasionally, ultrasonography can be helpful in assessing levels of omental fat.

Often, a diagnosis of EMS is made only after elimination of similar conditions such as Cushing’s and hyperthyroidism (overproduction of thyroid hormones) from blood tests, for example, glucose tolerance and dexamethasone suppression tests.

Various forms of treatment have been tried, based upon products that influence the pituitary and/or adrenal glands. But there is little rationale behind this because in EMS the pituitary and adrenal glands function normally. The results of trials have been inconclusive so far.

Similarly, the reasoning behind the practice of thyroid supplementation for EMS, which is popular in the USA, is weak because these animals are not hypothyroid. It may be that it helps simply because it encourages weight loss.

By far the most important aspect of controlling EMS is a combination of diet and exercise. A diet high in fibre and based on hay, non-molassed sugar beet and commercial products such as HiFi Lite is “good”. Sadly, grass, cereals and succulents such as apples and carrots are “bad”. Supplements containing antioxidants, chromium and magnesium claim to be of help (possibly by increasing insulin sensitivity), but more work needs to be done here.

Exercise is essential — not only does it encourage a loss in omental fat, but it also promotes an increase in glucose uptake. Work has shown that a fit pony (even if slightly overweight) will have an increased sensitivity to insulin and will lose weight faster than an unfit animal.

• This veterinary feature was first published in Horse & Hound (12 May, 05)

Increasingly large proportions of the UK and US human populations are overweight, a fact that has resulted in a massive increase in health problems such as type 2 diabetes. Dietary and lifestyle factors are contributors to such conditions.

The Atkins diet revolutionised human weight-loss programs, with impressive weight loss on an exceedingly low-carbohydrate intake, regardless of exercising. “Low-carb” is now synonymous with a healthy lifestyle in humans and it can be wondered whether “low-carb” can be good for horses too.

“Carb” is short for carbohydrate, of which there are two common forms in our own and our horses’ diets: structural carbohydrates, such as fibre, and non-structural carbohydrates, such as starch and sugar.

Horses and humans do not digest their food in the same way: horses are designed to eat diets rich in fibre, which is then digested by microbial fermentation in the hindgut. Given that the hindgut comprises at least two-thirds of their digestive system, cutting structural carbohydrates in the form of fibre is acutely unhealthy for the horse.

However, some horses may benefit from a reduction in the non-structural carbohydrates (starch and sugar) in their diet. Examples include horses suffering from some respiratory problems, laminitis, Cushings disease and obesity. If your horse fits this description then you should discuss your options with a qualified nutritionist before making changes to your horse’s diet.

Understanding carbs

• Horses require “fibre carbs” in their diet to ensure a healthy hindgut; cutting out fibre will make them ill
• Low-carb in horse terms means low starch/sugar
• Not all horses need a low-carb diet: only those at risk from conditions such as respiratory problems, laminitis, Cushings disease or obesity
• Athletic horses require starch and sugar for exercise
• Some form of exercise each day has been shown in horses and humans to reduce the negative effects of a high-starch and -sugar diet
• The biggest source of sugar carbohydrate in the horse’s diet is grass
• The biggest source of starch carbohydrate is cereal: maize being the highest
• Avoid horse feeds that offer high-fat solutions as an alternative to high-carb, without declaring the starch and sugar contents: it is possible to have high starch and high fat
• This feed forum was first published in Horse & Hound (4 November, ’04)

An unbelievable amount of grass has grown this spring and early summer. Even fast-eating cows have struggled to keep up, and the implications for horse owners are both good and bad.

This is good for forage prospects later in the year, as the weather has been fantastic for first-cut haylage and hay, but bad for all those horses who have become fat on the lush green grass.

There is no equine equivalent of the Atkins diet, which relies on the consumption of protein and fat. While a low-carb diet for humans is feasible, it would be a killer for horses. This is because dietary fibre, essential for digestive health, is carbohydrate-rich, and also because rapid weight loss can cause the potentially fatal condition hyperlipaemia.

Fat horses or ponies are not healthy and, unless you act, will enter a vicious circle of increasing fat content and reduced activity. The best way to slim – horse or human – is to eat fewer calories and exercise more.

The equivalent of the “no more than 2,000 calories per day” human diet target for horses is to feed 1.5-1.75% of the horse’s weight as its total diet.

This is equivalent to 10 kg per day of total forage and hard feed for an overweight 16.1hh part-Irish Draught, or a measly 6kg for a fat 13hh Welsh pony. These are not starvation amounts – just restricted in the same way Weight Watchers portions are.

Fighting fat

• Exercise: make it aerobic and for more than 30min per day. When walking, ensure that the horse is active and on the bit. If there’s an equine pool nearby, try regular swimming, which avoids unnecessary concussion
• Restrict grazing: all good endeavours will be undone by a day of rich grass — just like breaking your diet by eating chips
• Move slowly on to the diet rations: sudden starvation is very dangerous and any rapid increase in exercise will only cause muscle and joint ache
• Short-chop fibre and supplements are a good way to make the horse think he is being fed sumptuous amounts: don’t tell him it’s low calorie! The vitamins and minerals make sure that all basic needs are met
• Check progress weekly: either by weighing, condition scoring or using a weigh tape. Make a chart of actual versus target weight to visualise the progress being madeThis article first appeared in H&H (1 July)

With the summer season now in full swing, the annual debate on “show condition”, obesity and laminitis is heating up once again. It is vital that owners, producers and judges – and indeed those responsible for any overweight equine – take heed of the issue.

The absolute link between diet, obesity and laminitis has yet to be shown in horses but there is a strong likelihood based on work in other species. Many horses and ponies prone to weight gain are efficient at utilising the energy supplied in their diet.

This “programming” has its roots in the wild horse, which was used to storing excess nutrition during the feast of summer for use during the famine of winter. This is particularly true for those horses with some native blood. We also have research to prove that horses are pre-programmed to increase their appetites in the summer.

Until recently, fat was considered just as energy storage, but it is now thought that it is metabolically “active”, triggering a hormonal chain reaction that could make a horse more insulin resistant. This in itself is thought to lead to obesity and laminitis.

Insulin is the hormone that removes glucose (which arrives in the blood from the digestion of sugars and starches) into the liver and muscles. So, after a large high-starch meal (such as a big portion of boiled barley), a peak in blood glucose occurs that trails off again as insulin removes it into the tissues. Insulin resistance is when the cells don’t recognise this circulating insulin.

The system reaches this unhealthy state when it is overburdened. The solution lies in avoiding overfeeding in the first place and cutting back on the starch and sugar, replacing them with fibre sources. These nutrients are not bad in themselves, but excesses of them in an overfed horse are now accepted as being potentially damaging.

Horses will vary in their individual susceptibility to laminitis, but there are some rules common to all:

• Put your overweight (and not yet laminitic) horse or pony on a diet and exercise regime. A weight loss of 10% has been shown in humans to improve the situation markedly.
• Give primarily fibre sources but ensure that the vitamin and mineral supply is good too.
• Keep total feed intake to 1.5-1.75% of bodyweight in equine slimmers.
• Feed low-starch and low-sugar feeds: excess of these is stored as fat, so there will be less fat if less is fed, as well as a lowered requirement for insulin to clear the glucose from the blood.
• Old hay or low-sugar haylage are the preferred forages. Grass may be too rich and extended grazing periods will cause an increase in weight from this high sugar source.
• This article first appeared in Horse & Hound (3 June)

Increased levels of obesity in the UK have received a lot of attention in the press recently, following studies that have shown 3 out of 10 children in the UK to be obese. Unfortunately, it is also a very common problem in horses, with serious implications including reduced life span and increased risk of conditions such as arthritis.

Horses gain weight for exactly the same reason as humans — by eating more calories than are required for the work they are doing. Horses that receive too many calories (which are the same as energy) without sufficient exercise will put on weight. It really is that simple.

We also have a perception that feeding can alter a horse’s character. Imagine this in the human context. You have just got back from work and there is enough daylight to allow you to eat supper and ride your horse. Wouldn’t it be lovely if you could cook a meal which results in your usually housework-allergic partner suddenly jumping up and saying: “I will do the washing up, ironing, put the bin out and run the bath for you, while you ride.”

Unfortunately there is no food that will radically change a person’s character. There are feeds that supply instant energy (think chocolate for us, oats for our horses) but they do not change the inherent character of either a horse or a person. Invariably the horse that is a “good-doer”, is also a fairly laid back character and will not exert themselves unnecessarily. Horses that look “well” are normally carrying too much weight and will feel lazy. Simply feeding them more energy to make them livelier will only result in more weight gain, exaggerating their underlying laid back character and making them even lazier.

Another factor to consider is the way we keep our horses. Horses that are standing in a stable will not be using as much energy as horses at pasture, which use up energy walking around. Also keeping horses well rugged up means they will not have to use any energy trying to keep warm, leaving more energy to turn into fat.

In order to prevent our horses gaining excessive weight we must match calorie intake with energy output. This is complicated by the fact that horses are designed as trickle feeders and require small amounts of food frequently in order to keep their digestive systems healthy.

To avoid weight gain you need to weigh and condition score your horse on a regular basis. The best time to do this is at least every two weeks, preferably at the same time, as body weight will fluctuate throughout the day. This will allow you to see any pounds creeping on. Your horse’s ideal body weight will depend on his breed and height but as a guide you should aim for a condition score of two to three out of five.

It is essential for both the horses’ physical and mental health that fibre requirements continue to be met while limiting calorie intake. In overweight animals or horses that easily maintain weight you could try:

• Using a grazing muzzle when turning out on lush grass but make sure the horse can drink while wearing it
• Strip grazing large paddocks
• Feed low-energy hay
• Soak good quality hay for 12hrs to lower its energy content
• Use two small holed haynets, placed inside each other
• Feed a low energy chaff

Although calories may need to be restricted, vitamin and mineral requirements must be met. For overweight horses or those prone to weight gain this can be achieved without feeding large quantities of concentrates by feeding:

• A vitamin and mineral supplement;
• A feed balancer; or
• A low energy feed specifically designed for low intake rates.

Finally, remember how much more energetic you feel when you lose a couple of those extra pounds you have been carrying. The same goes for your horse — keeping him at the correct body weight will make him look and perform better.

Contrary to popular belief, it isn’t just plump ponies who gorge themselves on lush spring pasture that suffer from laminitis. This crippling and painful disease can easily strike large horses, if they are not managed correctly.

The overweight horse: Blonag is a six-year-old 16hh part-Thoroughbred, part-Irish Draught, who is currently on box rest after suffering her first ever bout of laminitis. Her current weight is 600kg and her optimum weight is 560kg. Her condition score is four out of five. Her diet is 7.5kg hay plus water. Blonag is stabled on shavings and has started chewing the wood of her stable, during her box rest.

An equine nutritionist recommends:

Blonag’s body condition must be monitored on a regular basis. I would suggest that she is condition scored every fortnight with the aim of reducing the score to just below three out of five. A weightape is also a useful tool to help detect more subtle changes, although it needs to be used at the same time of day each time because a horse’s body shape will fluctuate throughout the day.

Once Blonag has recovered from the laminitis and the vet feels that she can begin to work again, her exercise should be gradually increased to help control her weight.

Turning her out wearing a grazing muzzle may be better than stabling her for long periods because she would be getting more exercise in the field. If she is stationary for long periods her metabolic rate will fall making it harder for her to use up calories.

The “mesh” or “basket” type muzzles are preferable to the old “bucket” type because she would still be able to graze through it, although it will be much harder work for her. However, do make sure that she can drink properly when wearing a muzzle before leaving her with it on.

The flush of grass growth in spring and autumn are well-known risk factors for laminitics, but frosty winter pasture should also be avoided. Recent research suggests that the fructan concentration in grass is higher at this time. If you do need to turn out on frosty grass then hay should be provided to discourage her from eating the grass until it has thawed.

It is very important that Blonag loses weight gradually. Although fibre intake will need to be restricted, it is vital that sufficient fibre is fed to maintain good digestive function and reduce the risk of stereotypic behaviour such as wood chewing. Research has shown that horses on low fibre diets spent significantly more time engaged in oral stereotypes such as woodchewing.

As the mare is currently stabled she will be reliant on her hay for fibre. With an optimum weight of 560kg, Blonag will need a minimum of 8.5kg of hay per day to meet her fibre requirements. Therefore the quantity of hay she is receiving daily needs to be increased.

Generally soft, leafy meadow hays have a higher feed value that the late cut, stalky seed hays, while a hay analysis will offer more detailed information. Soaking hay for 12 hours before feeding will help reduce its energy and protein content, which means more can be fed without promoting weight gain, as well as reducing the airborne dust and mould spores which may be contributing to the cough.

Placing two small holed haynets on opposite sides of the stable will slow down the rate of eating and keep her occupied for longer, as will using two haynets, one inside the other.

Although calorie intake needs to be restricted it is important that sufficient levels of vitamins and minerals are provided. Feeding a small amount of low calorie, low sugar chaff with a broad-spectrum vitamin and mineral supplement, or a feed balancer that is concentrated in vitamins and minerals, will provide the necessary nutrients.

Digestive aids, such as Yea-Sacc, help to enhance fibre digestion and maintain a healthy gut microflora, thereby reducing the risk of digestive disturbances such as laminitis or colic.

Herbal supplements, particularly those containing added antioxidants, may help to improve the health of Blonag’s respiratory system. Several herbs including garlic, aniseed, horehound and hyssop are renowned for their beneficial action on the respiratory system.