Some horses are tough to keep weight on. We call them “hard keepers.” Then there are equines who seem to gain weight just by breathing! We call these horses “easy keepers.”
If the easy keepers were human, we might describe them “pleasantly plump,” or “chubby.”
When your horse falls into the easy keeper category, you have much different challenges than with a hard keeper. The hard keeper needs more calories, while easy keepers require fewer. The goal with any horse is to maintain a healthy weight.
With the easy keeper, that can be more difficult than it sounds.
Genetics and More
Whether you ride a pony, draft cross, Morgan, or other breed, genetics contribute to a horse being an easy keeper. Environmental factors are also part of the story.
Over centuries, some breeds developed the ability to maintain body condition (weight) even when faced with poor nutrition, including drought conditions and sparse grazing.
“Many breeds have evolved to efficiently store nutrients from small amounts of poor-quality nutrition over extended periods of time as a survival mechanism,” says Kate Christie, DVM, a veterinarian with Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington, Ky.
“The breeds we typically think of include pony breeds, Spanish breeds (Andalusians), gaited breeds (Saddlebreds, Rocky Mountain Horses, Paso Finos), Morgans, and Miniature Horses, as well as some warmbloods,” says Dr. Christie.
If horses with these genetics are allowed to become overweight, they have an increased risk of developing equine metabolic syndrome (EMS). This is a serious condition that can cause:
â—† Obesity
â—† Localized fat deposits
â—† Insulin resistance
â—† Laminitis
Even horses without this genetic tendency can develop EMS if they are overfed. Donkeys are also prone to metabolic disorders when overfed.
Obesity Woes
Just as with people, obesity in horses has wide-ranging health effects. These include:
â—† Increased demands on heart and lungs
â—† Increased strain on bones and joints
â—† Arthritis
â—† Equine metabolic syndrome (EMS)
â—† Insulin resistance
Insulin resistance (or “dysregulation”) occurs when there is a decreased response to insulin in the cells and tissues. The body then produces more insulin, which can result in hyperinsulinemia, an unusually high concentration of insulin.
Insulin resistance is seen with EMS and also with PPID (equine Cushing’s disease).
“The most devastating potential complication of obesity in the horse is the development of hyperinsulinemia-associated laminitis,” explains Dr. Christie. Laminitis is a painful inflammation of the sensitive tissues within the hooves that causes lameness. In very severe cases, horses may have to be retired from riding or even euthanized.
Obesity is the biggest risk factor for horses developing these problems.Â
How Fat is Too Fat?
The 9-point Henneke Body Condition Score (BCS) system is widely used by veterinarians, law enforcement agencies, and horse owners to assess equine body fat. A score of 4 to 6 is the ideal range for the average horse.
Your horse is probably too fat (score of 7, 8 or 9) if:
◆ There’s a crease down his back.
◆ It’s hard to feel ribs, even with firm pressure.
◆ His neck is thick or “cresty.”
â—† Withers are rounded with fat on both sides.
◆ There’s bulging fat around the tailhead.
â—† Flank area is filled with fat.
â—† Inner thighs rub together.
Too Many Calories
The horse’s body is designed to eat small amounts of forage frequently throughout the day. In the wild, horses may eat up to 18 hours per day, roaming for miles to locate food and water. Compare this to domestic horses, who are often kept in small areas and fed two large meals a day.
When an easy keeper is fed a higher number of calories than needed for maintenance, that horse can quickly become obese. Many owners think feeding grain is a necessity, but this isn’t the case.
“The vast majority of horses don’t require excess calories in the form of grain,” says Dr. Christie. “In most situations, forage should be [enough] to provide horses with their caloric and nutritional requirements.”
Of course, not all “grains” are created equal.
Feed companies have developed many low-starch and low-sugar diets for horses that are prone to weight gain, as well as for those with diagnosed metabolic dysfunction.
Ration balancers are often the ideal solution for easy keepers. Just a small amount a day provides a horse with necessary protein, vitamins, and minerals without excess calories.Â
If you’re concerned that your easy keeper might not be getting all his required nutrients from forage only, ask your veterinarian if a ration balancer would be a good choice.
“Many reputable feed companies have ration balancer options,” says Dr. Christie. “It can also help those horses that feel a little left out at feeding time when all their friends are getting grain!”
No Crash Diets!
It takes time to gain and lose weight. An obese horse put on a starvation diet is at risk of developing hyperlipidemia, which can cause deadly liver damage. This life-threatening metabolic disorder occurs when an obese horse or pony is deprived of feed and the body starts using fat deposits for energy.
Weight loss programs should be done gradually and under the guidance of your veterinarian.
Management of an Easy Keeper
The easy keeper horse with 24/7 access to grazing can easily grow obese. For these horses, you’ll want to keep them in a dry lot (no grass) for a good part of the day.
For horses not on pasture, a good-quality grass hay fed at 1 to 1.5 percent of the body weight per day should be enough. Unlimited clean water and free-choice salt or trace mineral block should always be available.
Use of “slow feeders” (such as small-hole hay nets) or automatic hay feeders can help stretch out the amount of allowed hay and entertain diet-restricted horses.
In addition, regular exercise not only helps keep a horse active and fit, but keeps his mind occupied as well.
“Exercise is a major factor in overall health and metabolic function,” adds Dr. Christie.
Distribute hay feeders and water troughs throughout the dry lot to encourage more walking. You can add toys or enrichment options scattered throughout the paddock or stall.
If your easy keeper is having trouble shedding pounds, ask your veterinarian for advice on how to safely help him lose weight.
This article about feeding an easy keeper horse appeared in the May/June 2024 issue of Young Rider magazine. Click here to subscribe!
