Obesity in Horses

My horse is just big boned….or maybe not! Overfeeding your horse can lead to dreaded joint problems… 

Obesity is a very common problem in horses. Recent studies report that an estimated 33% of domestic horses are overweight, placing them at a much higher risk of diseases such as Osteoarthritis and / or joint disease. Osteoarthritis remains today’s the leading cause of pain, poor performance, retirement and even early loss of life among our horses . 

Obesity in horses is most easily avoided when owners control feed and make correct dietary choices. Having said that, as we head into Spring, green pastures can certainly present a challenge. Grazing management of domestic horses is a delicate balancing act between what a horse wants, what a horse needs and what is best for the land. If we were to let our horses graze freely , it would result in many cases in overgrazed land and overweight horses. 

Excess weight puts additional pressure on our horse’s joints, wearing them out quicker and contributing to, or exacerbating, degenerative joint disease. This results in pain, inflammation, and degeneration of healthy cartilage cells within the joints. The outcome is reduced stamina and athletic performance, not to mention behaviour changes that can occur due to pain. 

Even 30kg of excess weight can really make a difference in the amount of stress that an arthritic joint can endure. 

If you think your horse is overweight, talk to us about a weight management plan. Slow reduction in weight through a managed diet and exercise plan will ensure your horse avoids any complications. 

We also recommend daily inclusion of 4CYTE EPIITALIS Forte gel in your horse’s diet to treat joints affected by inflammation and pain.