Care and Knowledge
Care and Knowledge
10 Tips for Weight Reduction in the Overweight Horse
As a horse owner, you play an important role in controlling your equine companion's
weight. Sound nutrition management, a regular exercise program and veterinary care
are key to keeping your horse fit and healthy. Maintaining the ideal weight is not
always easy, however.
When implementing a weight loss program for the overweight
horse, it's important to do it gradually and under the supervision of an equine veterinarian.
Follow these guidelines from the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP)
to get you started:
1. Be patient. Weight reduction should be a slow, steady process
so not to stress the horse or create metabolic upsets.
2. Make changes in both the
type and amount of feed gradually. Reduce rations by no more than 10% over a 7-
3. Track your horse's progress by using a weight tape. When the horse's
weight plateaus, gradually cut back its ration again.
4. Step up the horse's exercise
regimen. Gradually build time and intensity as the horse's fitness improves.
5. Provide
plenty of clean, fresh water so the horse's digestive and other systems function
as efficiently as possible and rid the body of metabolic and other wastes.
6. Select
feeds that provide plenty of high quality fiber but are low in total energy. Measure
feeds by weight rather than by volume to determine appropriate rations.
7. Select
feeds that are lower in fat since fat is an energy-
8. Switch
or reduce the amount of alfalfa hay feed. Replace with a mature grass or oat hay
to reduce caloric intake.
9. Feed separate from other horses so the overweight horse
doesn't have a chance to eat his portion and his neighbor's too. In extreme cases
of obesity, caloric intake may also need to be controlled by limiting pasture intake.
10.
Balance the horse's diet based on age and activity level. Make sure the horse's vitamin,
mineral and protein requirements continue to be met.
Once your horse has reached its
ideal body condition, maintaining the proper weight is a gentle balancing act. You
will probably need to readjust your horse's ration to stabilize its weight. Exercise
will continue to be a key component in keeping the horse fit. Because obesity can
affect a horse's health, communicate regularly with your veterinarian. Schedule regular
check-
For more information about
caring for the obese horse, ask your equine veterinarian for the "Overweight Horse"
brochure, provided by the American Association of Equine Practitioners in partnership
with Educational Partners Bayer Animal Health and Purina Mills, Inc., or visit the
AAEP's horse health web site,
Reprinted with permission from
the American Association of Equine Practitioners.
Little Hawk Farm All Rights Reserved 2012