My horse or pony is too fat. What should I do?
An overweight horse does not feel comfortable in its own skin. A horse can become fat for several reasons, for example feeding too much energy-rich feed or too little exercise. This is why it is important that work and feed are well matched. When a horse needs to lose weight, plenty of exercise through work and turnout is important. In addition, concentrate can be limited. The carbohydrates (sugar and starch) from concentrates are converted into fat in the body, which leads to weight gain.
Helping a fat horse lose weight
It may sound very simple, but this often turns out not to be the case: getting a fat horse back to the right weight. The most important thing is to make sure that the amount of work and nutrition are well matched. When a horse needs to lose weight, a lot of exercise is needed in combination with less energy-rich feed. Concentrated feed can be limited in many cases, as it often contains more fast carbohydrates, which the body converts into fat. Ultimately, the goal is for the horse to take in less energy than it expends, so that it burns fat reserves.
It is very important to lose weight with care. If a horse loses weight too quickly, there can be risks. For example, if you suddenly give a horse or pony much less to eat, a metabolic disorder such as hyperlipaemia (fat in the blood) may occur.
Roughage and a fat horse
It may be tempting to reduce your horse’s roughage to help it lose weight: don’t do this! In nature, horses eat small amounts of roughage throughout the day. They obtain energy from the fibre in roughage through fermentation in the caecum and large intestine. A horse cannot cope with a diet lacking structure; it needs roughage to keep its digestive system working properly.
If you already feed little or no concentrate, the roughage is likely the main contributor to your horse’s weight. In that case, it’s wise to take a critical look at the roughage you are feeding.
Grazing
Most pastures in the Netherlands are not ideally suited for horses, especially not when you’re trying to get your horse to lose weight. In most cases, horses will gain weight from grass. Grass is rich in energy, which is exactly what you don’t want to feed your horse, and it also contains little structural fibre, which an overweight horse actually needs. It may therefore be necessary to limit grazing time and keep your horse in a paddock with access to low-energy, high-fibre hay.
Roughage
Of course, your horse should always have access to sufficient roughage, whether it’s overweight or underweight. Horses should consume about 1.5-2% of their body weight in roughage per day. The sugar content in hay ranges from 8 to 15%, averaging around 10% in the Netherlands. This means you can make significant improvements by reviewing your roughage ration carefully.
Avoid silage or haylage; feed dry hay instead and have it analysed so you know the levels of sugar, energy and protein.
Not everyone has access to the ideal hay, and finding a suitable batch can be challenging. In such cases, you can add straw to your ration. Straw is low in sugar but high in fibre. To prevent impaction, always mix hay and straw together, and if you decide to start feeding straw, introduce it gradually so the digestive system can adjust. Never feed straw on an empty stomach, and always ensure your horse receives more hay than straw!
Concentrates and overweight horses
If you feed your horse or pony concentrates, make sure the amount corresponds with the amount of exercise it gets. If your horse does little or no work, it’s often best to stop feeding concentrates and switch to a vitamin and mineral supplement (also known as a balancer), such as Hartog Essential.
In such cases, you can also choose to feed Hartog Lucerne Mix or Hartog Lucerne Plus. These contain vitamins, minerals, trace elements, and amino acids, the essential building blocks your horse needs to function well. Since these are roughage-based products, they help maintain a natural feeding pattern and support a healthy digestive system.
Keep in mind that when reducing concentrates, your horse must still receive enough nutrients. Average hay lacks sufficient vitamins and minerals to keep your horse healthy and in optimal condition.
More information?
At Hartog, we are always happy to review your current feed ration and help you make any necessary adjustments. Do you have questions about your horse’s diet? Request free feeding advice or contact us.
