The Veterinary clinics of North America. Equine practice2021; 37(1); 111-137; doi: 10.1016/j.cveq.2020.12.004

Nutritional Considerations When Dealing with an Obese Adult Equine.

Abstract: Equine obesity is common, reducing quality of life and requiring dietary energy restriction. Equine obesity is identified using subjective body condition scoring. Considerations are given for life stage and health status when managing obese equines. Every effort should be made to maximize feeding duration, and minimize time spent without feed while meeting all essential nutrient requirements. Limiting total daily dry matter intake to 2% of current bodyweight per day of a low caloric, forage-based diet may result in adequate body weight loss. Weight loss and weight management plans should be monitored for success and potential gastrointestinal, metabolic, and/or behavioral complications.
Publication Date: 2021-04-07 PubMed ID: 33820604DOI: 10.1016/j.cveq.2020.12.004Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

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This study discusses dietary considerations for managing obesity in adult horses, focusing on strategies such as energy restriction and maximizing feeding duration. It suggests that feeding a low-calorie, forage-based diet at a rate of 2% of the horse’s current body weight per day can effectively reduce body weight, while also emphasizing the importance of monitoring for potential complications.

Identification of Equine Obesity

  • The study emphasizes the prevalence of obesity among adult horses, which can significantly reduce their quality of life.
  • In order to identify obesity in horses, body condition scoring is used, which is a subjective method.
  • The researchers highlight the importance of considering the horse’s life stage and health status when managing obesity.

Managing Equine Obesity

  • The researchers suggest strategies to manage obesity in horses, including restricting dietary energy.
  • They advocate for the maximization of feeding duration while reducing the time spent without feed, ensuring that all essential nutrient requirements are met.
  • A suggested method of dietary restriction involves limiting the total daily dry matter intake to 2% of the horse’s current body weight. The diet should be low-calorie and forage-based, which may result in adequate body weight loss.

Monitoring Weight Loss and Management

  • The implementation of weight loss and management plans should be closely monitored for success and potential complications.
  • Potential complications include gastrointestinal problems, metabolic issues, and behavioral changes. The researchers emphasize the importance of ongoing monitoring to adjust the weight loss plan as necessary and to avoid serious health issues.

Cite This Article

APA
Shepherd M, Harris P, Martinson KL. (2021). Nutritional Considerations When Dealing with an Obese Adult Equine. Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract, 37(1), 111-137. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cveq.2020.12.004

Publication

ISSN: 1558-4224
NlmUniqueID: 8511904
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 37
Issue: 1
Pages: 111-137
PII: S0749-0739(20)30071-7

Researcher Affiliations

Shepherd, Megan
  • Nutrition, Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Phase II Duck Pond Drive, Virginia Tech Mail Code 0442, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA. Electronic address: meshephe@vt.edu.
Harris, Patricia
  • WALTHAM Petcare Science Institute, Waltham-on-the Wolds, Melton Mowbray, Leics LE14 4RT, England.
Martinson, Krishona L
  • Department of Animal Science, University of Minnesota, 1364 Eckles Avenue, St Paul, MN 55108, USA.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Diet / veterinary
  • Diet, Reducing / veterinary
  • Female
  • Horse Diseases / diet therapy
  • Horses
  • Obesity / diet therapy
  • Obesity / veterinary

Citations

This article has been cited 3 times.
  1. Moore-Colyer M, Westacott A, Rousson L, Harris P, Daniels S. Where Are We Now? Feeds, Feeding Systems and Current Knowledge of UK Horse Owners When Feeding Haylage to Their Horses.. Animals (Basel) 2023 Apr 7;13(8).
    doi: 10.3390/ani13081280pubmed: 37106843google scholar: lookup
  2. Uldahl M, Dahl J, Clayton HM. Body Condition Score in Danish Horses Related to Type, Use, and Training Level: Patterns, Risk, and Protective Factors.. Animals (Basel) 2023 Mar 31;13(7).
    doi: 10.3390/ani13071219pubmed: 37048475google scholar: lookup
  3. Busechian S, Turini L, Sgorbini M, Pieramati C, Pisello L, Orvieto S, Rueca F. Are Horse Owners Able to Estimate Their Animals' Body Condition Score and Cresty Neck Score?. Vet Sci 2022 Oct 3;9(10).
    doi: 10.3390/vetsci9100544pubmed: 36288157google scholar: lookup