Healthy Weight Clinic Horses

Is your horse overweight or obese?

You are not alone! An estimated 20% to 50% of ponies and horses are overweight or obese. Controlling your horse's weight is essential for its health, performance and quality of life.

🔹What are the causes of overweight and obesity in horses?

🔹How do I know if my horse is overweight?

🔹Why is weight loss important?

🔹What does a weight loss programme look like?

🔹Price indication

What causes overweight and obesity in horses?

Obesity occurs when your horse takes in more energy than it consumes.

Common causes are:

🔹Underestimation of energy intake, e.g. due to:

High quality roughage and/or grazing without restriction
Failure to weigh up feed material
Unadjusted concentrate feed, too many sweets or concentrates

🔹Overestimating energy consumption, e.g. due to:

Low workload
Overestimation of training intensity
Overestimation of body weight

🔹Other factors, such as:

Breed: some breeds, such as ponies and cold horses, are ‘easy keepers’
Seasonality: in nature, horses gain weight in summer and lose weight in winter

How do I know if my horse is overweight?

Weighing your horse regularly is often not possible. Therefore, a body condition score (BCS) is used, with a scale of 1 to 9:

🔹Ideal weight → BCS of 4-5

🔹Overweight → BCS of 6-7

🔹Obese → BCS of 8-9

Your vet can help determine your horse's body condition score.

Why is weight loss important?

Overweight and obesity are more than an aesthetic problem-they have a serious impact on your horse's health.

🚨 Health risks of obesity:

⚠ Increased risk of insulin resistance (dysregulation of sugar metabolism) and laminitis
⚠ Risk of lipomas (fatty growths) that can cause colic
⚠ Reduced fertility
⚠ Lower sports performance and increased stress on joints

By maintaining your horse's weight, you prevent these problems and contribute to a longer and healthier life.

What does a weight-loss programme look like?

✅ Evaluation of current ration

✅ Comprehensive nutritional advice with concrete recommendations for feed and supplements

✅ Coordination with your referring veterinarian, if required.

What steps should you take for this?

1. Complete the nutrition history form
Download the form and return it completed via e-mail to dienstpaardenvoeding@ugent.be

2. Gather the following information:

📸 Clear photos of your horse, pasture and forage
📏 Measurements of chest circumference and body height of your horse
🔎 An estimate of body condition score
⚖️ The exact weight of all feed materials (in kilograms, not scoop sizes)
🩺 Consult with your own vet
📝 The fully completed nutritional history form

3. Within 1 to 2 weeks you will receive a personalized nutritional advice.
Your current feeding policy is thoroughly evaluated. Based on the information provided, you will receive detailed and tailor-made nutritional advice for your horse.