Many, through overfeeding are unknowingly killing their horses and ponies with their kindness and generosity. It is the responsibility of an equine owner to control their horse’s weight. However, if things have already gone out of hand and your horse declared obese, there is still hope and with several steps you can get his weight back on track. Managing your horse’s health and weight is purely a matter of nutrition and exercise just like in human beings. Proper veterinary care can not be ruled out either.
To show the gravity of horse obesity, below I have outlined several drawbacks it may pose to your horse
– Laminitis, a painful condition that affects the front hooves
– Heart and lungs problems
– Strain on joints and limbs
– Could cause arthritis
– Reduced reproductive efficiency
-Early death
There are many dangers posed by horse obesity and above are just a few .Below are a few Remedies to avert the condition
- Make changes in both the quality and quantity of feed- gradually reduce rations by no more than 10% over a 7 to 10 day period- Changes in the diet should be done gradually lest your horse suffers metabolic upsets
- Provide plenty of clean, fresh water to ease digestion and eliminate toxic material from the body
- Step up your horse’s exercise routine. Gradually build time and intensity as the horse’s fitness improves. Do not rely on free choice exercise. Introduce some activities to keep your horse busy
- Feed him with feeds that are high on fiber. Also Balance the horse’s feed based on age and activity level. Make sure the horse’s mineral, vitamin and protein requirements are met adequately. A supplement may be added to the ration if deemed necessary
- Incase you have more than one horse, it would be wise to separate the overweight horse from the rest as it would be difficult to monitor his feed rations
Ensure that you incorporate the views of an equine vet through out the period
If you enjoyed this article, please consider sharing it!
