Though many horses thrive on unlimited access to pasture or hay, an obese horse cannot participate in the free-for-all food buffet and remain healthy. Obesity comes from overeating and not expending enough energy. Of additional concern is horses that suffer from glucose sensitivities like Cushing's disease. These horses must have both their sugar and starch intake controlled to remain healthy.
There are multiple claims in the equine world about how to best manage horses, but overweight equines are the exception. Some of these claims include:
- Restricting forage makes a horse lose muscle, as well as increase hormone reactions and oxidative stress—it can even cause Cushing's disease or pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID).
This has been no proof that any of the issues above are brought on or exacerbated by restricting forage intake. Restricting calories does not lead to an increase in any hormones or cause any oxidative stress. Additionally, horses won't begin to lose muscle because of restricted calorie intake unless all body fat has been burned.
- Horses bodies are designed to ingest pasture or hay 24/7.
The only reason horses spend so much time ingesting grass is that it is nearly 80 percent water. Additionally, wild horses travel tens of miles each day to find food; a paddock or pasture cannot offer an obese horse exercise of that level.
Though drastic limitation of food isn't necessary to control weight, some reduction is required. The Equine Cushing's and Insulin Resistance Group (ECIR) and the National Research Council (NRC) recommends using the starting point of 1.5 percent of actual weight or 2 percent of ideal weight (whichever is larger) as the target daily hay intake. This target may have to be adjusted if the hay is high in calories.
To keep horses at an ideal weight, they should be exercised as much as possible, whether this includes turnout (possibly with a muzzle), hand walking or riding. Feeding horses in a slow-feed hay net can lengthen intake time and prevent boredom.
Keeping a chubby horse at a reasonable weight isn't fun, but it is imperative to keeping him healthy.
Read more at Horse Journals.
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