Improving Health in Overweight Equines Mikayla Joy and Dr. Karl Hoopes, DVM and USU Extension Specialist
Introduction Equine obesity is an increasingly recognized problem in highly developed countries. The term overweight often describes excess fat in equines. While the term obese typically refers to higher fat content and a more severe overweight condition, we use these terms interchangeably, as treatments for both conditions resemble one another. The primary treatments for overweight horses include diet modifications and incorporating exercise routines, with the most effective solution being a combination of both. There are special considerations and treatments for horses with equine metabolic syndrome (EMS), which is prevalent in obese equines.
Determining Body Condition Obesity is a health problem in many horses worldwide, especially for equines in first-world countries. Approximately 30% of horses in these countries are obese.1,2 You can assess the degree of fat covering a horse using the objective Henneke Body Condition Scoring (BCS) system.3 Horses with a BCS of 7 or higher are considered obese.2 Figure 1 shows a horse in light work on the verge of being overweight, scoring between a 6 and 7.
Figure 1. Nearly Overweight Horse With a Light Workload, Scoring a BCS of 6 or 7
A score from 4 to 6 is generally accepted as healthy, depending on factors such as the horse’s workload, the time of year, and the owner’s goals. The Figure 2 photo shows a horse at a healthy weight for a moderate workload, scoring a 5. A common sign of obesity is fatty deposits on the horse’s neck and tail head.2 Avoid focusing on the belly when evaluating BCS because this can vary with bloating, forage intake, and is an unreliable location for fat evaluation. Obesity can lead to many 1
Figure 2. Horse With a Healthy Weight for a Moderate Workload, Scoring a BCS of 5