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SUMMER 2015 ISSUE
EQUINE MATTERS
18
Is equine obesity a growing
concern in the U.K?
VET VIEWPOINT...
We ask the opinion of our vets on equine
obesity in the U.K.
Kirstie Pickles BVMS, MSc, PgCert(Couns Skills), PhD,
CertEM(Int Med), DipECEIM,
Scarsdale Veterinary Group
During the nineteen years I have been
practising as a veterinarian, I have noticed
an increase in equine body condition
scores and a rise in overweight horses
and ponies. The reasons for this are likely
multiple and complex but there are
certainly more pleasure horses now than
previously, many with cob genes. Cobs
tend to be ‘easy keepers’ requiring lower
energy nutritional demands than the
average horse. This, plus the improved
pastures now widely available and
people’s busy lives often leads to an
increased energy in, decreased energy
out scenario leading to weight gain.
The plethora of equine feeds now
available and the clever marketing
strategies used by feed companies can
be confusing to owners and result in over
or unnecessary feeding. An association
with increasing obesity in the human
population may also exist such that
owners deem a higher body condition
score acceptable. Judges selecting for
over-conditioned horses in the show ring
undoubtedly exacerbate this tendency.
Regardless of its aetiology, obesity causes
a generalised state of inflammation in the
body and a plethora of diseases far harder
to manage than prevent and thus should
be avoided at all costs.
Claire Hodgson BVetMed
CertAVP(EM) MRCVS
Wright & Morten Veterinary
Surgeons
Jane White BVetMed MRCVS
St Boniface Veterinary Clinic
Amongst our top class horses we recognise
that athletic potential is hindered by excess
weight. However in the leisure horse/pony
I believe obesity is a growing concern.
Historically, some sectors of the showing
world perceived excess condition as more
appealing to the eye.
I believe it is a multifactorial issue. Despite a
good knowledge of EMS and laminitis many
owners appear less confident in the art and
science of nutrition. Confronted with a huge
range of feedstuffs and feeding guides
based on bodyweight and type of work
causes confusion. Juggling work/family
commitments often limits time available for
exercise. A horse may be ridden 5 days a
week but still only expend enough energy to
be classed as ‘at rest’ rather than the ‘light’
or ‘moderate’ exercise the owner perceives.
Limited turnout facilities may lead to
prolonged periods of inactivity while stabled.
Extra feed/treats may then be used to
alleviate boredom or appease our guilt.
Obesity is an increasingly common issue
in our patients and the silent cause of
many illnesses and even death.
Significant growth in the feed sector
means an overwhelming choice of
affordable feeds; combine this with
improved forage availability and quality
alongside ex-farmland grazing and many
of our horses are looking rather too well.
Horses naturally yo-yo diet, getting fatter
when times are good in summer
providing energy stores for winter to keep
warm and make up for poor food supply.
Unfortunately, for the majority, our horses
are a part time pursuit, with precious time
taken working to support them, meaning
few of us are able to prevent natural
summer weight gains. With rugs and
supplementary feeds we do such a
good job of looking after our horses we
prevent the natural cycle of winter weight
loss. The result is a few kilos gained
every year and by the time middle age
is reached their girth has crept up a
few notches, more than is good for
them. While costly to alter saddles to
accommodate this extra padding, the
real cost is to the horse’s health with its
affects on diseases such as arthritis and
an increasing risk of obesity related
illness such as laminitis.