Jan 2022 Weight Watchers for Horses

ATTACK THE BULGE

 These last couple of late Winter months are your last chance for you – the horse owner – to take action.

We have all heard how this year has been warmer than usual, and how it is continuing to get warmer the world over.  Did you realise this also affects your horse?  Summer seems a long way off, yet now is the time to think about this.

We all need to take a serious look at possible weight issues in the forthcoming Summer.  We need to counteract the horses natural ability to put on too much weight in Summer.  This is especially important if your horse or pony gets a tad ‘rounded’ or well covered, in the Summer months. Right now is the time to take action!

Don’t leave it until you are concerned about the possibilities of oncoming laminitis.

You don’t have to do anything much – it is not difficult to take action.

In fact it is not at all hard to get it right.  These last couple of months of cold spells in late Winter will do it for you if only you will let them – and no one need even be aware you are doing it.  Come Summer however, you will probably be the only person on the yard not worrying much about your horse eating too much grass.

How it works:

Horses and ponies have evolved to put ON weight in the Summer – it is what they do.  They have evolved to live off their fat reserves in the Winter – it is what they do.   So why don’t we let them do just that!

Some find it surprising to find out that it is OK to have your horse or pony a little bit lean at the end of the Winter.  He or she is not thin, he or she is simply primed and ready for the Spring grass.

Instead of being drastically restricted from grass, your horse will be allowed more than normal and quite likely, more than the others on the yard too.  This is not only more natural for them and suits their metabolism better, but it is much easier for you.  Gone are the Spring and Summer worries about too much grass.

In very cold weather your horse’s use of his bodily fat/energy reserves can rise by 25-30%.  This means that if your horse or pony is a little on the ‘round’ side during colder weather, all you need to do is let him pull on his stored reserves.  It is simple to allow this to happen.  Much better than increasing his feed because you feel he needs it to keep warm during the cold weather. Let the weather and your horse’s natural metabolism do some of the work for you.

Below is a photo of a horse belonging to a colleague.  You’ll see from the photo that the ground is frosty. Yet this horse lives without rugs unless it is really really cold – and I mean really cold.  That dried mud will brush off with a bit of elbow grease / hard grooming, but his saddle and girth area are brushed clean before riding.   He doesn’t get overweight in Summer because he is at a sensible weight through the Winter. He therefore has as much turnout as he likes in Summer.  He is not a heavy horse with an  especially thick coat and in Summer has no coat to speak of – in fact he is an ex jump horse from Ireland (a Thoroubred and son of the famous Kalanisi who stands at stuf in Ireland). He is barn stabled at night in the Winter months.

Remember this lifestyle of reduced weight in Winter and putting it back on in Summer is how they evolved – and how their bodies work naturally – why change what is natural?

Be extra careful about the rugs you put on right now in the late Winter months too.  Avoid putting thicker rugs on just because it is colder.  Once again let the metabolism and weather do the work for you and your horse.

Let’s be honest – experienced and professional horse owners know that most horses and ponies, unless they are clipped out, do not need thick rugs. In fact native ponies and many horses who grow thicker coats, feathers and manes, (especially the well rounded types of horses) do not need to be rugged at all.

So what if they get a little muddy – does it REALLY matter ?  Is it just for ‘looks’ and to keep up ‘appearances’ at the yard that you like your horse clipped? We know it is our pride that makes us want to keep our horse looking smart and clean but honestly is that what THEY want too?

Just because others clip, do you have to too?  Take a step back, would you feed the same food just because someone else does – or are you more sensible and feed according to your horse’s requirements?  It is the same thing really – why follow everyone else – do your own thing for a change.  Try clipping less for a bit and see how it works – just take off the bits that get sweaty.

As far as rugs go, I am not suggesting you suddenly remove rugs completely in the midst of a cold snap! but we could all consider acclimatising our horses over a period of time.  Why not consider rugs and clipping afresh next Autumn.  A new regime to fit the new climatic conditions and a more natural lifestyle for your horse. Don’t be afraid of a little mud – it is hard work for you but that hard work is good for your fitness and weight too ! Use a new rugging regime – rug later into Autumn. Use lower tog rating rugs. Avoid neck covers if you can. Don’t clip so early. Don’t clip so much off.  Consider just a bib and stomach clip.  Make use of that Winter coat instead of a rug.

To get more information about feeding and clipping check out this Intermediate Diploma programme.

Author copyright:  Paula Clements