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Tips for Weight Reduction in the Overweight Horse
As a horse owner, you play an important role in controlling your
equine companion’s weight. Sound nutrition management, a regular
exercise program and veterinary care are key to keeping your horse
fit and healthy.
Maintaining the ideal weight is not always easy, however.
When implementing
a weight loss program for the overweight horse, it’s
important to do it gradually and under the supervision of an equine
veterinarian. Follow these guidelines from the American Association
of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) to get you started:
- Be patient. Weight reduction should be a slow, steady process
so not to stress
the horse or create metabolic upsets.
- Make changes in both the type and amount of feed gradually. Reduce
rations by no more than 10% over a 7- to 10-day period.
- Track your horse’s progress by using a weight tape. When the
horse’s weight plateaus, gradually cut back its ration again.
- Step up the horse’s exercise regimen. Gradually build time
and intensity as the horse’s fitness improves.
- Provide plenty of clean, fresh water so the horse’s digestive
and other systems function as efficiently as possible and rid the body
of metabolic and other wastes.
- Select
feeds that provide plenty of high quality fiber but are low in
total energy. Measure feeds by
weight
rather than by volume
to determine
appropriate rations.
- Select feeds that are lower in fat since fat is
an energy-dense nutrient source.
- Switch or reduce the amount of alfalfa hay feed. Replace with
a mature grass or oat hay to reduce
caloric intake.
- Feed separate from other horses so the overweight horse doesn’t
have a chance to eat his portion and his neighbor’s too. In extreme
cases of obesity, caloric intake may also need to be controlled by
limiting pasture intake.
- Balance
the horse’s diet based on age and activity level.
Make sure the horse’s vitamin, mineral and protein requirements
continue to be met.
Once
your horse has reached its ideal body condition, maintaining
the proper weight
is a gentle balancing
act. You will probably
need to
readjust your horse’s ration to stabilize its weight. Exercise
will continue to be a key component in keeping the horse fit. Because
obesity can affect a horse’s health,
communicate regularly with your veterinarian.
Schedule regular check-ups, especially
during the
weight reduction process.
For
more information about caring for the obese horse, ask your equine
veterinarian
for the “Overweight Horse” brochure, provided
by the American Association of Equine Practitioners in partnership
with Educational Partners Bayer Animal Health and Purina Mills, Inc.,
or visit the AAEP’s horse health web site, www.myHorseMatters.com.
Reprinted with permission from the American Association of Equine Practitioners.
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