Managing the Overweight Horse

Across the horse industry, horse obesity continues to be a major health concern.  Overweight horses or “easy keepers” as they are so often called are at risk for increased health problems, poor performance, and overheating.  So, how do you know if your horse is overweight?  Several methods are available to determine if your horse is overweight including body condition scoring.

Body Condition Scoring

Body Condition Scoring (BCS) looks at the fat deposit under the horse’s skin in six areas: neck, withers, behind the shoulder, along the back, rib area, and tail head.  This is accomplished using the Henneke scale (1=very thin; 9=obese) where a score 4 to 6 is ideal.  For more information on body condition scoring, watch this video.

PC: Iowa State University

Click here to view the Henneke Nine-Point BCS Scale.

There are also several apps available that can help you with body condition scoring your horse.

Health Problems

If your horse is overweight, the horse is more at risk to develop a disease or disorder such as: laminitis, equine metabolic syndrome, insulin dysfunction, and elevated levels of the stress hormone cortisol.   Not only is an overweight horse at risk to develop health problems, its performance declines as well.  Poor performance may come from weakened hoof walls, osteoarthritis, and increased muscle strain.  Lastly, overweight horses can become overheated due to losing control over their body temperature.  Horses can then quickly become dehydrated.    

Diet & Exercise

Making a few adjustments to an overweight horse’s diet and exercise is the key to weight loss.  Weight loss is important but only if done correctly and slowly over time.  The horse’s total feed (forage and grain) intake needs to be monitored as well as exercise.  

Slow-feed hay net in use on a dry lot.

Here are few tips when feeding an overweight horse:

• Feed mature hay- this not only reduces caloric intake but slows down rate of intake as well.  Think of this as “rice cakes” for the horse, it will keep the horse busy eating but does not have as many calories.  Always use a hay analysis to determine hay quality.  This can be done through your local Extension office.
• Slow down feed intake- this can be done with a grazing muzzle, slow-feed hay net, specially designed grain feeders, feed obstacles, or feeding order (feed hay before grain).

In general, most overweight horses are usually unfit horses.  By increasing their exercise, the horse will burn up or use fat in the body, resulting in weight loss.  Make sure to start exercise slowly and increase over time.

For more information about managing overweight horses please visit the University of Minnesota Extension website by clicking here.

Reference: University of Minnesota Extension