Weighty Worries - Weighing On Your Mind?

If like me your horse’s are good doers, you might have some ‘weighty’ worries right now weighing down on your mind. 

Most horse owners are aware of the effects of carrying excess weight can have on their horse’s metabolic system and are aware of the effects causing inflammation in the laminae of the foot known as Laminitis, as well as cresty necks and fat pads that can be seen on some over weight horses.

You may not think your horse is overweight, but did you know you if your horse is a healthy weight you should easily be able to feel their ribs, without pressing, no matter what their breed.

Even thoroughbreds can be overweight, but just because your horse is a cob doesn’t mean they should be higher up on the body score chart.

As a massage therapist I want to share with you the effects of carrying excess weight on your horse’s musculoskeletal system as well as some of the other systems in their body:

* The Respiratory muscle function can deteriorate in an overweight horse, in a pattern similar to that seen in chronic respiratory disease like COPD.
This is due to there being an additional oxygen demand required for ventilation in overweight horses which can overburden the respiratory muscles as they work harder to facilitate breathing.

* The Cardiovascular system also has to work harder, putting more pressure on the heart and the risk of cardiovascular disease and blood pressure is increased.

* Lower limb and joint pain can occur as the limbs work to support the excess weight being carried (just think your horse is on their feet on average 21 hours a day)
This could in time lead to Osteoarthiritis particularly in the fetlock, knee, hock and stifle due to additional concussion on the joints.

* Current symptoms of arthritis will be exacerbated.

* Fat can build-up around key organs which will interfere with their normal function.

* Your horse’s body will be less efficient in cooling of the body temperature which can lead to dehydration and overheating.

* Lower back (lumbar) pain – behind the saddle can develop due to the spine being required to support the additional weight.

* Gait disturbance can occur – changes in the way your horse moves, leading to compensatory musculoskeletal pain.

* Altered ‘seasons’ in mares ccn occur which can decrease fertility.

* In general an overweight horse will be more lethargic and more easily fatigued.

What can we do to help prevent our horses gaining excess weight in the first place or reduce any they are currently carrying?

Here are some options you may be able to try:

* Increase your horse’s daily exercise (be sure to do this gradually if they are currently unfit to avoid risk of muscle fatigue and potential injury).

* Cross train your horses – dressage may be your thing but hacking and jumping can help your horse to burn more calories.

* Strip graze your horse’s paddock, remembering to bring the back fence in as you move the front fence forward so the paddock doesn’t just get bigger each day.

* Consider muzzling your horse during turnout and bringing them in for soaked or steamed hay (soaking or steaming helps reduce the calorie content of the hay).

* Consider setting up a ‘track system’ for your horses, this is how my horses live and you may be able to see in the image, they live on a track around the edges of the field with hay stations, to try and keep them moving around as much as possible.

 Warning

* Always contact your therapist and/or vet to discuss a weight loss regime for your horse.

* Just because your horse needs to loose weight does not mean they should be starved.
This can be detrimental to their digestive and metabolic system as well as their musculoskeletal system and mental health.

* Be patient. Weight reduction should be a slow, steady process so as not to stress the horse or create metabolic upsets.

* Horses are designed to graze and browse for up to 18 hours a day.

* Overweight horses still need vitamins and minerals including salt as well as access to short and long stem fibre with starvation periods of no more than 4 hours at a time.

* Consider feeding a pelleted balancer or powdered vitamin and mineral supplement in a handful of plain straw chaff, along with a tablespoon of salt to ensure your horses are getting everything they need.

I can’t recommend enough the value of contacting an independent qualified nutritionist for support and advice on choosing the right product / diet for your horse.

As always if you have any questions please do get in touch or if you would like to book a treatment for your horse.

I always assess the whole horse during treatment and am happy to help you body score them and offer suggestions of ways in which you can help manage your horse’s weight especially with exercises appropriate to your particular horse’s current musculoskeletal health, strength and stamina.

Thanks so much

Jess | Jessica Limpkin Equine Massage Therapy