{"id":450,"date":"2017-10-24T17:17:50","date_gmt":"2017-10-24T17:17:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nouvelleresearch.j96fp4es-liquidwebsites.com\/2017\/10\/24\/why-is-my-horse-fat\/"},"modified":"2024-05-23T11:08:36","modified_gmt":"2024-05-23T16:08:36","slug":"why-is-my-horse-fat-guide-to-equine-body-condition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nouvelleresearch.com\/index.php\/articles\/450-why-is-my-horse-fat-guide-to-equine-body-condition","title":{"rendered":"Why Is My Horse Fat? A Guide to Equine Body Condition."},"content":{"rendered":"

Why is my horse fat?\u00a0<\/strong> That’s a good question and one that I was asked routinely during annual preventative wellness checks on my patients.\u00a0 It is also a question that I get asked in consultations all too frequently.\u00a0 I think it is a good question and for those that ask the question, it is a sign that they recognize that a problem exists, thus opening door for correction.\u00a0 An overweight horse is not a sign of good health and over time, can lead to significant health problems and increased morbidity, not to mention mortality for some.\u00a0 Interestingly enough, most problems in my consultations are directly related to the horse being overweight, often pre-metabolic, or diagnosed as metabolic<\/em>. Seeing that the problem is present is the first step, but taking the following steps to conquer the issue at hand means that we must understand some basic concepts.\u00a0 <\/p>\n

What is an overweight horse?\u00a0<\/strong> <\/em>Well, by definition and based on body scoring charts, it is technicallly a horse of body condition 7 or higher, at least in my books.\u00a0 However, this can vary in opinion and really, we go based not so much on a chart, but on ‘feel’ for that animal.\u00a0 An ideal way to determine body condition is by feel of the chest wall or ribs.\u00a0 What we want or desire, on a basic level, is to be able to feel those ribs with light pressure, but not visibly see them.\u00a0 The more pressure we have to put to the chest wall to feel those ribs, the more fat pad there is between us and the ribs.\u00a0 Not a good thing.\u00a0 The typical signs of an overweight horse are not only the rib pressure test, but also fat deposition over the points of the hips, a deepening crease down the spine and also a cresty neck.<\/p>\n

\"Horse
Horse Body Condition Chart for Overweight<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Here is a basic equine body scoring chart.\u00a0 Ideal body condition is in the range of 5-6, in my veterinary opinion.\u00a0 The more active a horse is, in regards to competition and training, likely the thinner they will be, however, this is not always the case and often breed dependent.\u00a0 As an example, a training Thoroughbred is more likely to be much thinner and leaner, than a warmblood in the world of Dressage.\u00a0 Several reasons for this which include breed, age and even level of work differences between the two sports.\u00a0 There is also a factor of stress, which can complicate matters.<\/p>\n

In the real world clinical setting, we have horses that fall into two categories.\u00a0 We have those that are backyard pleasure horses, more recreational or even just sedentary in their lives who are overweight.\u00a0 Then we have those horses that are competing or training, on various levels, which can be regarded as overweight or more so, easy keeper types.\u00a0 Actually, any overweight horse, by definition, is seen as an easy keeper. Just a question of how far they have taken it in terms of weight gain.\u00a0 Some are just ‘fleshy’, while others are overtly obese.<\/p>\n

So, what’s the big deal that your horse is overweight?<\/span><\/h3>\n

An overweight body condition, whether if we are a horse, companion pet or human, does not equate to health.\u00a0 Looking at it in regards to human data, the higher the body mass index (BMI), the more likely one is to suffer ill health side effects ranging from high blood pressure to diabetes to even cancer.\u00a0 The same holds true for horses.\u00a0 The more overweight that horse is, the more health related problems we, as the owners, will deal with emotionally and financially.<\/p>\n

In the early stages, most horses start off as ‘fleshy’ or mild easy keepers.\u00a0 We see the overweight body condition building and maybe even a drop in stamina or performance.\u00a0 They get lazy and sometimes irritable.\u00a0 As time goes by and body weight builds, so does the fat stores. The process of inflammation becomes a real factor with most health ailments and an overweight body condition is no different.\u00a0 The fat deposits actually secrete their own inflammatory proteins, termed adipokines.\u00a0 This is why any overweight person or animal demonstrates higher levels of inflammation, and is also predisposed to further health ailments.<\/p>\n

In the horse, over time, the heightened inflammatory process at a cellular level contributes to more recognizable conditions such as metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, hypothyroidism and laminitis, not to mention potentially Cushing’ disease, allergies and even joint or foot problems<\/strong>. Those owners that are familiar with those conditions know that not only can they be costly and time consuming to manage, but are difficult, frustrating and often lead to years of suffering.\u00a0 In the veterinary community, those conditions are likely the most common causes of high expenditures by the owner in regards to diagnostic testing, medications and ongoing care.<\/p>\n

Sounds bad, right?\u00a0 It is, but the good news is that if managed properly, the outcome can be very favorable.\u00a0 Ideally, though, we aim to prevent it in the first place.<\/p>\n

Causes of Weight Gain and Obesity in the Horse<\/span><\/h3>\n

We are back to the original question, which is ‘why is my horse fat<\/em>?’.\u00a0 Truth be told, it is your fault, as the owner.\u00a0 Harsh?\u00a0 Maybe, but it is truth. I agree that breed does have something to do with it, more of a predisposition, but just because we own a QH, a Morgan or any other ‘high risk’ breed, does not mean they are destined for obesity.\u00a0 Nor should it be used as an excuse when it does occur.<\/p>\n

\"Horse
Horse Eating<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In reality, weight gain is a rather simple concept; too many calories in and not enough out (in regards to calorie burn)<\/strong>.\u00a0 If we want to gain weight, we need to consume more calories than our body is burning or using on a daily basis.\u00a0 If we want to lose weight, we have to cut back calories in relation to burn rate, or increase the rate of burn, simply speaking.<\/p>\n

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  1. Impact of Diet<\/strong>:\u00a0 To understand horses better, we need to look at humans.\u00a0 In our human world, society tends to consume way too many calories in relation to the amount of work done each day for calorie burn.\u00a0 These calories are consumed through all of the wrong foods, which include processed foods and calorie dense meals that are often incomplete in regards to nutrition.\u00a0 So, there are few things happening here.\u00a0 Through high consumption of processed foods, we are not only getting way too many calories, often from fats, but we are also not getting the proper nutrients that our body needs to function.\u00a0 This partially explains why many of us ‘crash’ after lunch.\u00a0 On top of all this, we as humans, are not getting the proper exercise to fuel and work our body, which not only burns calories, but also enhances vital functions, including metabolism and organ health.\u00a0 Horse are not much different, really.\u00a0 Many are fed highly processed feeds, which includes snacks or treats.\u00a0 Some are labeled as ‘low calorie’ or even low NSC, but they are full of synthetic, sprayed on nutrients, and often have nutrient sources that are not natural. So, they too, are often being fed way too many calories in relation to calorie need or burn. If we also look at the quality of nutrition provided for most horses, it is subpar, at least in my opinion.\u00a0 Many overweight horses are fed lower quality hays, which may include grass hay, fescue and even some Bermuda.\u00a0 They are hays, full of fiber, but their nutrient provision is very low.\u00a0 We have to remember that the body needs nutrients to function, including metabolism.\u00a0 For some odd reason, the general recommendation is to starve these horses, but reducing hay quality and also quantity, then supplement or replace what is lost with some sort of vitamin\/mineral supplement.\u00a0 Makes no sense.<\/li>\n
  2. Lack of Exercise:<\/strong>\u00a0 This is not always a factor in every overweight horse, but does play a major role in a high percentage.\u00a0 If a horse is overweight, plain and simple, they are burning fewer calories than they are taking in daily.\u00a0 What is exercise?\u00a0 To me, exercise means a planned routine, often pushing that animal to submaximal levels, obtaining target heart rates and calorie burns, for a set period of time several times per week. If we have a horse in training, that is good, but again question is how hard is that horse pushed?\u00a0 Is it adequate too maintain body condition and stamina?\u00a0 If not, then we need to go further.\u00a0 Running a few ground poles under saddle, a few dressage moves or even a few barrels a couple times per week is generally not sufficient.\u00a0 The fact is that most overweight horses with metabolically induced health problems are rather sedentary, living lives in a dry lot, being fed low quality hay with little overall movement.\u00a0 We strive to help them lose weight, but one major component, exercise, is missing from the regimen.\u00a0 It is true that in some cases, the horse is not capable of exercise, maybe due to ongoing laminitis or even breathing problems.\u00a0 That is okay, no different than a person with major health problems.\u00a0 We see the goal and work our way up, slowly, doing what is possible for that animal at that point in time.\u00a0 More than likely, with time, health will improve and we can slowly increase the capacity and even willingness for exercise.<\/li>\n
  3. Stress:<\/strong>\u00a0 Stress is a huge player in equine health and weight gain.\u00a0 In the human world, we are all too quick to blame stress and cortisol on fat deposition, which is true, so why don’t we apply the same logic to horses?\u00a0 Stress can be either primary, secondary or even both.\u00a0 As health declines and more ailments become problematic, more stress is added to that animal.\u00a0 So, we can have a horse that is under stress due to training or even boarding situations, then gain weight, develop foot concerns and become even more stressed.\u00a0 The impact of stress is beyond the scope of this article, but it is safe to assume that in a large percentage, it is a player.\u00a0 Question is whether if we recognize it and modify that response, if possible?<\/li>\n
  4. Boarding\/Housing and Dynamics:<\/strong> This final contributor takes on many levels.\u00a0 On a basic level, we may have a horse that is gaining weight that is in a boarding situation, likely stalled most of the day or put in a small paddock for only a few hours with minimal grazing.\u00a0 This restriction not only hinders the ability to full exercise, stretch those legs and burn calories, but also contributes to more added stress.\u00a0 See point #3 above. In others, we may have herd dynamics being added in as a factor, which add more stress to some.\u00a0 Boarding, being an entity itself, is also often counter productive to helping a horse with their weight problem in many ways.\u00a0 First, most boarding facilities do not do well with prescription-type of diets or regimens.\u00a0 They want a ‘one size fits all’ type of approach for ease, which makes sense, but is not logical.\u00a0 If a horse needs to go on a special hay or have special turnout or exercise, it often does not work.\u00a0 Second, because of boarding situations, many owners are not hands on with their horses and see them infrequently.\u00a0 This means that we don’t keep tabs on things like weight and often come out one month surprised at how much weight our mare or gelding has gained.\u00a0 The more hands on we are, the more willing we are to make changes and take action.<\/li>\n
  5. Poor cellular function, Metabolism, Gut Microbiome, and Oxidative Stress:<\/strong>\u00a0 These are two cellular processes, linked back to an imbalanced gut microbiome in the horse.\u00a0 In reality, this IS the ROOT cause, but is created by many things from a poor lifestyle to a bad diet and improper supplementation.\u00a0 Thus, we recommend Equine Fecal Microbiome Cultures<\/a><\/strong><\/span> and REDOX<\/a><\/strong><\/span> testing.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Correcting the Situation in the Overweight Horse<\/span><\/h3>\n

    In order to correct a situation, first we need to understand the problem<\/strong>.\u00a0 If we can do this, we increase our odds of success dramatically!\u00a0 Not every overweight horse of a high body condition score can be reverted back to a 5-6.\u00a0 Many can, but most do not.\u00a0 It is not that it cannot be done, but in order to do so in some, it requires a high level of dedication.\u00a0 Almost all health problems are created by us, that is a fact, and if we created them, then we need to uncreate them…or fix what we have done wrong.\u00a0 There is nothing that is 100%, nothing that will work every time, but with some basic logic, we can improve the odds.<\/p>\n

    First, we need to address diet<\/strong>.\u00a0 In human studies, just the elimination of processed foods and implementation of a high fruit\/veggie diet can create huge strides in weight reduction in the average person.\u00a0 The reasons for this is not only elimination of things we don’t need, but also through gaining the things we do need.\u00a0 Through alteration of that diet, that person will likely lose weight due to enhanced performance of their machine, their body, through proper nutrient provision.\u00a0 Cells work better, energy is produced, calories are burned and the machine just works better.\u00a0 The same holds true for horses.\u00a0 Turnout is good, as it does encourage movement, but most of that movement is limited as it is usually ‘heads down’ all of the time.\u00a0 Some ways we can get around this are to keep the paddock or pasture mowed short, so they have to move about to get new grass.\u00a0 Second, we could use a grazing muzzle to limit their intake, but in many, this creates more stress and frustration.\u00a0 Third, we could just plan a daily exercise regimen, such as riding or lunging, to burn those calories then allow them to be turned out almost as a reward.\u00a0 Through that exercise regimen, we hopefully can reset the metabolic burn, thus potentially helping us to offset the increased grass intake in regards to calories.<\/p>\n

    Diet goes further than just pasture.\u00a0 We need to eliminate those “Scoobie” snacks, as I call them.\u00a0 No more treats, unless they are warranted or at least natural in form, such as an apple or carrot piece.\u00a0 We also need to evaluate that hay source.\u00a0 Is it really high enough quality to provide nutrients for the body to function?\u00a0 Or is just a filler, full of fiber to create satiety?\u00a0 High nutritive hay sources such as alfalfa, orchard or timothy hay are preferred in my eyes, as they provide a much higher level of nutrition and nutrition is what we are after.\u00a0 We can’t expect cellular energy to be enhanced along with calorie burn, if we are feeding a low energy, low nutrient density forage.\u00a0 Alfalfa hay, as a side note, is one of the lowest NSC hays available. Add to that the nutritive value and it is worth every penny.\u00a0 However, hay needs to be fed based on body weight and in most cases of overweight horses, we feed about 1.5% of BW daily.\u00a0 If we need filler, then we can supplement with pasture or a lower quality hay.<\/p>\n

    Grains are generally high in fat, naturally speaking.\u00a0 Does a horse need grains?\u00a0 Depends on that horse and energy needs.\u00a0 Most overweight horses are not active, thus they do not need grains, period.\u00a0 However, as exercise and proper supplementation is put into play, those energy needs and nutrient requirements may change.\u00a0 If we feed grains, most of the time, it is to act as a medium for proper supplementation.\u00a0 When we do feed grains, we choose natural, whole grains such as oats, sunflower seeds, chia seeds, often mixed with alfalfa pellets.\u00a0 Many options to choose from, however, no matter what blend we opt for, volume fed is key so as not to overload the situation.\u00a0 In most of our patients, we feed from 0.5 – 1.0 lbs of grain once to twice daily.\u00a0 It is something you have to measure and weigh out.\u00a0 By going natural, we eliminate the expensive processed feeds and many harmful additives within them, moving to something that is more controllable, affordable and healthier.\u00a0 In most, as long as they are on a high enough quality hay and pasture, they do not need a ‘vitamin\/mineral’ supplement.\u00a0 Even if we do, I’d rather opt for a whole food approach to nutrients, than a synthetic based product.<\/p>\n

    In talking about diet, we have to also mention the importance again of inflammation in the course of events.\u00a0 Overweight horses are more prone to inflammatory problems, which impacts them on many levels from metabolism to joint function.\u00a0 Poor diets, lacking in real nutritive value, are often pro-inflammatory.\u00a0 Many natural diets, with whole foods and high quality hays, are often anti-inflammatory in actions.\u00a0 Herbs and even fruit extracts can greatly assist us in this area, boosting the benefits of a diet regimen.\u00a0 Herbs such as curcumin, boswellia, dandelion, parsley and even marshmallow can be very helpful in these patients from an inflammatory point of view.\u00a0 Then, we have more nutritive herbs or fruit extracts such as spirulina, alfalfa, spinach, blueberry, noni fruit, bilberry, apple peel, astragalus and even the mushroom, Poria cocos<\/em>, that not only help us from an inflammatory point of view, but many also provide real nutrient and antioxidant benefits.\u00a0 In the end, through proper use, we are able to mitigate damage cellular events and help restore normal cell function.\u00a0 Popular formulas for the overweight or metabolic horse that incorporate these specific herbs are the Cur-OST EQ Total Support<\/a><\/strong><\/span>, Cur-OST EQ Total Body & Joint<\/a><\/strong><\/span>, and Cur-OST EQ Meta-Support.<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    In one of our research projects, we demonstrated how the use of a fruit and berry based formula, Cur-OST EQ Meta-Support<\/a><\/strong><\/span>,\u00a0 in horses actually resulted in an average weight loss of 30 lbs or more, in a 30 day period.\u00a0 In some of those horses, current diet and even exercise regimens were not even altered.\u00a0 You can read more about that study in this article<\/a><\/strong><\/span>.\u00a0 Additionally, this same formula was used in another trial evaluating insulin levels in EMS horses.\u00a0 The end result was a marked reduction in insulin levels over a 30-day period of time.\u00a0 This research can be found in this article<\/a><\/strong><\/span>.<\/p>\n

    Exercise and stress management are paramount.\u00a0 In most, we need to either increase the amount of exercise they are getting or in most, we need to start an exercise regimen.\u00a0 We can supplement all day long and even change that diet, but exercise will go a long way to helping us achieve our goals. Stress is also a key player and often made worse through a poor health condition.\u00a0 Over time, by altering diet and exercise, we may actually change that stress response, making it more favorable.\u00a0 If the situation cannot be changed, meaning factors such as boarding or training are creating that stress, then we need to implement specific herbs into the regimen to help offset those negative outcomes.<\/p>\n

    In the end, a horse doesn’t have to be overweight or fat.\u00a0 It is a matter of choice.\u00a0 It is always easier in the long run to prevent the problem from developing, for once it has developed, it can cascade into a multitude of health ailments.\u00a0 Through a little bit of work and implementation of some know how, the situation can be improved for almost every horse.\u00a0 The beautiful thing is that often, as improvements are made, many of those costly and frustrating health problems actually improve on their own.<\/p>\n

    We are here to assist.\u00a0 For specific guidance and supplement recommendations, please contact us<\/a>.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Author:\u00a0 Tom Schell, D.V.M., CVCH, CHN<\/p>\n

    Cur-OST Equine Health Products<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

    Recommended Reading:<\/p>\n

    Attention Metabolic Syndrome Horse Owners!<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n