Help to keep your horses weight down

Help to keep your horses weight down Recent research suggests that between 50 and 80% of horses are overweight in the UK but the even more worrying fact is that all too often these fatties are seen as normal and their unhealthy extra pounds go unnoticed. SPILLERS®, the UK's tried and trusted feed manufacturer, has put together some top tips to help owners recognise when there's a weight problem and how to beat the battle of the bulge for good. "Laminitis is a very common and serious concern for owners of overweight horses and ponies but this is by no means the only risk," says Isabel Harker, SPILLERS® nutritionist. "Insulin resistance and the resulting metabolic syndrome, reduced reproductive efficiency, heat stress, problems with heart, lungs and joints, worsened signs of arthritis lethargy and reduced athletic function are also associated with the overweight horse." Tackling a weight problem effectively is likely to mean a permanent change to your existing management regime but doing so can pay dividends for the long-term wellbeing of your horse or pony. Isabel has put together the following guidelines to help you weight-watch with confidence:

• Use a weigh tape on a weekly basis. Identifying an obese horse is easy, with the bulging fat pads, cresty neck and table top back but recognising the overweight horse may be more difficult. Used correctly, a weigh tape can help identify small changes and increases in weight much more effectively than by your eye alone.
• Get to grips with body condition scoring. It's not as complicated as you think and can be a very helpful tool. It involves you getting hands on with your horse to recognise what feels like fat and what is muscle. Find out how to condition score by visiting the SPILLERS®  website at http://www.spillers-feeds.com/
• Restrict grass intake. Grass is the usually biggest contributor to excess calories. A horse or pony can consume three times its appetite in just 24 hours at grass. Use a grazing muzzle or restrict time out at grass.
• Increase exercise. Regular exercise is essential not only to help your horse lose weight but also to prevent weight gain in the good doer.
• rovide an alternative low calorie forage source. Access to hay, haylage or a forage replacer will help replicate natural browsing behaviour and help prevent stress-related problems such as wind sucking, crib biting or even gastric ulcers.
• Consider a short chop hay replacer. This will provide a reliable and consistent low calorie forage alternative. Remember that the calorie content of hay or haylage can vary greatly depending on the type of grass and when it was cut.
• Ensure you provide daily vitamins and minerals at the correct level. The simplest way to do this without adding additional calories is to feed a concentrated feed that is designed to be fed at low levels with no additional calories but a high specification of vitamins and minerals.

"Once you get into the routine of weight-watching you'll find it easy and rewarding, especially when you see the results," concludes Isabel. "You'll be actively helping your horse or pony to stay slimmer, fitter and healthier, so that you can enjoy life together and that has to be a good thing."

If you would like some personal advice on how to put together a diet for your horse contact the SPILLERS® Care-Line on 01908 226626, email careline@spillers-feeds.com or visit www.spillers-feeds.com

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