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- to 10-day period.
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-dense nutrient source.
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-ups, especially during
the weight reduction process.
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, www.myHorseMatters.com.
Reprinted with permission from the American Association of Equine Practitioners.
