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Date Posted: 20:16:29 03/26/03 Wed
Author: Cheri
Subject: Tuesday's horse fact...
In reply to: Cheri 's message, "A New Week. Daily inspirations and horse facts..." on 20:47:33 03/24/03 Mon




Shaping Up Your Overweight Horse...


Part 10, and end of series...


Clearly, this horse needs to go on a diet. One approach would be to set the energy intake at 70% of his maintenance needs (at the ideal weight of 450 kg or 1,000 pounds) or about 12 Mcal (12,000 calories) per day. However, we must be careful to maintain the intake of other nutrients at the maintenance level. For example, the simplest approach to a reduction in energy intake would be removal of sweet feed from the diet. However, as shown in the figure on page 90, a diet of only grass hay will not provide adequate protein, minerals, or vitamins. The lack of protein will encourage a loss of muscle mass rather than fat. This situation can be remedied by feeding a small amount of a protein/mineral/vitamin supplement.

The second important step in a weight loss program is an increase in energy expenditure through exercise. For several reasons, an increase in activity level will facilitate weight loss and an improvement in body condition. With physical conditioning, there are metabolic adaptations that encourage fat burning. As well, there will be conservation or even an increase in muscle mass. Over a period of weeks, the horse will become more "athletic" in appearance. As lean tissues such as muscle have a higher rate of metabolism than fat tissue, this change in body composition will raise the horse's resting metabolism.

There are two ways to increase activity level. First, you could provide more turnout time, thus allowing the horse more opportunity for voluntary exercise. Regardless of body condition, adequate turnout is important for the horse's overall well-being.

Unfortunately, access to pasture is not an option for overweight horses as you will lose control of calorie intake. So, turnout must be restricted to drylots, at least until the weight problem is under control.

The second option is to increase the amount of formal exercise, such as longeing and riding. Any increase in exercise must be done slowly, probably no more than a 5% increase in duration or intensity every week or so. If the horse is already ridden two to three times per week, one option is to add one or two sessions per week. Alternatively, if time is a limitation, you might consider an increase in exercise intensity--more trotting and, with time, a little canter work.

As mentioned, overweight horses can be more prone to leg injuries, so close monitoring is required, particularly for the first few weeks of the conditioning program.

You also must be realistic in terms of how long it will take for the horse's ideal weight to be attained. Think months rather than weeks!

In the above example, a five- to six-month time frame is reasonable. Your horse will be unhappy for the lack of grain in his diet, and you might bemoan the extra time required for conditioning, but there is no "quick fix" for this problem. Periodic evaluations also are necessary; perhaps you should assess body condition score (and weight) monthly. Adjustments in feeding can be made once the ideal weight/body condition has been reached. For example, an increase in energy intake might be needed. In the long term, it always will be important to adjust feeding in relation to current activity level. If there are periods of reduced exercise (e.g., because of an injury), energy intake must be reduced accordingly.

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[> Wednesday's inspiration.. -- Cheri, 20:25:00 03/26/03 Wed



Psalm 34:6-9

"I cried out to the Lord in my suffering, and He heard me. He set me free from all my fears. For the angel of the Lord guards all who fear Him, and he rescues them. Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who trust in Him! Let the Lord's people show Him reverence, for those who honor Him will have all they need."



Joshua 1:9

"I command you-be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."



Psalm 28:6-8

"Praise the Lord! For He has heard my cry for mercy. The Lord is my strength, my shield from every danger. I trust in Him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving. The Lord protects His people and gives victory to His anointed king."



Psalm 30:1-5

"I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me. You refused to let my enemies triumph over me. O Lord my God, I cried out to you for help, and you restored my health. You brought me up from the grave, O Lord. You kept me from falling into the pit of death. Sing to the Lord, all you godly ones! Praise His holy name. His anger lasts for a moment, but His favor lasts a lifetime! Weeping may go on all night, but joy comes with the morning."


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