Q: When I follow the "recommended feeding guidelines" for my horse (based on breed, weight, and activity level), he continues to be overweight. Why does this happen? Can this weight gain affect his health and fitness?

A: Excess weight and "over nutrition" can have negative effects on your horse’s health and well being. It sounds like your horse may be an "easy keeper," one that requires a minimal amount of calories to maintain good body condition. Feeding based on generally accepted ration guidelines will cause an easy keeper to actually gain weight. This excess will increase stress on the horse’s heart and lungs, put added strain on the feet and joints, affect the horse’s ability to "cool out" following activity, and predispose him to laminitis or founder. The first thing you should do is remove all grain or concentrates. The healthiest diet for most horses is a diet consisting of good quality hay, with access to salt and plenty of fresh water. Grain is recommended only for horses undergoing strenuous exercise or those classified as "hard keepers."

As with humans, exercise is also an important part of weight control and overall health and fitness. Make sure your horse receives a minimum of 3-4 half hour workouts per week. This should help keep him healthier and in better weight. If you have tried reducing or eliminating grain and increasing exercise and your horse is still overweight, you should contact us to check him for hypothyroidism.