THE BODY CONDITION SCORE
Just like humans, some horses naturally carry more weight than others. However, carrying a lot of excess weight may cause your horse joint pain, especially he or she already has some pre-existing joint pain or arthritis.
It is a good idea to 'weigh' your horse with a simple weight tape, or use this score to assess his or her body condition so that you can keep a check of their weight and adjust your management accordingly.
TOP TIPS FOR WEIGHT MANAGEMENT.
If your horse is a 'good doer' and you are concerned that they are putting on excess weight, here are some things you can try to help:
Exercise- ridden work if appropriate, or in hand if your horse is not in ridden work. Build work up gradually if your horse is unfit. Use hills and gradually build up time spent fast walking, trotting and cantering.
Avoid feeding haylage
Soak hay for at least 12 hours to remove the sugar content before feeding.
Consider trying a grazing muzzle, they may seem cruel at first but it is a great way of reducing pasture intake whilst still allowing your horse the freedom to roam about.
Have a go at building boredom busting treats if the horse is stabled - hanging healthy treats inside the stable or using a boredom busting treat ball with low calorie treats or pony nuts inside.
If turn out is limited to the school in the winter, consider putting a large horse ball in the school to encourage play, or place a few hay nets around the school to encourage your horse to move from place to place.
AVOID allowing your horse to go long periods without any food- horses are 'trickle feeders' and long periods without eating can cause stomach issues.
If your horse is very overweight, obese, or scores 5 on the scoring system or is not losing weight despite your best efforts, consult with your vet as there may be an underlying reason why your horse is carrying too much weight.