Don’t
tip the scales!
If your horse or pony eats too much and doesn’t get enough
exercise, he could be in danger! Horses, just like humans, need balanced
diets and exercise to stay fit and healthy. When horses and ponies
are too fat, exercise becomes difficult, and additional weight puts
added stress on limbs and joints. Added weight also causes increased
risk of heart and circulation problems, digestive disorders and decreased
resistance to disease. Also, laminitis is a big problem for many
overweight horses and ponies.
Top-10 signs that
your horse or pony is too fat…
1. He has a really big belly
2. The girth or cinch you used last year seems to have shrunk
3. When you run your hand over his ribcage, you cannot feel his
ribs at all
4. His neck is really “cresty,” or thick on top
5. When you go for a ride, he’s out of breath after only
a little exercise
6. He’s so wide, he gets stuck when you lead him out of his
stall
7. When you put him in the trailer, a tire blows out.
8. Two horses or ponies his size will not fit in your two-horse
trailer
9. When he steps on your foot, it hurts worse than it did when
he wasn’t too fat
10. He can’t outrun the veterinarian when it’s time
for vaccinations
Horses become overweight when they store excess energy as fat.
If your horse or pony is too fat, you probably need to give him
less feed or increase his exercise, or both. Talk to your parents,
trainer or veterinarian to develop a plan for taking off the
extra weight. Remember, make all feeding and exercise changes
gradually; if you make changes too fast, your horse or pony might
get sick!
Nutrition Fast Fact:
Question: Which nutrient is the most costly element in your horse’s
feed?
a) protein
b) vitamins
c) energy
d) minerals
Answer: energy
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