Kick Start that Weight Loss Programme This Autumn/Winter!

Winter is a great time to kick start that weight loss programme for those that have put on a little too much over the summer with all that extra grass. It is natural for horses to lose weight over winter, so use this to your advantage.

1. Remember although we are dieting them, we are not trying to starve them! Make sure they get enough mental stimulation and enrichment in their environment to prevent boredom and encourage foraging behaviour around the stable and field. 
2. Ensure they are getting a good quality Vitamin and Mineral Supplement or balancer such as Everyday Vitamins and Minerals to keep them healthy without the extra calories. Its also a budget friendly way to ensure their nutrient requirements are being met. 
3. Soaking hay for 8 to 12 hours can reduce the sugars but ensure you soak in plenty of water and rinse off the sugary solution when removed from the container. Find more helpful tips and advice on soaking hay here. 
4. Don’t be tempted to over rug, horses have a massive radiator inside them (their guts!) which keep them warm and rugging less will encourage the horse to use some calories. Horses should have access to shelter.
5. Monitor their weight regularly with a combination of body condition scoring, weigh tapes, measurements and photographs so you can celebrate your successes, or allow you to notice if you need to make some more changes to their diet and exercise regime.
6. Buddy up with a friend who also has a horse that needs to lose weight and support each other. Research has shown people who buddy up are more successful in their equine weight loss programme.
7. Horses and ponies can binge eat and gorge themselves by eating a full 24 hours worth of calories in just 4 hours. This needs to be considered when managing your grazing strategies, there are lots of different ideas to suit different yard set ups.  
8. Don’t forget to exercise (providing your horse is able to), this doesn’t have to just be ridden, it can be encouraging field movement with playful friends (providing it is safe to do so) or using a track system. Get creative!
9. Look at their diet closely including weighing hay to assess what they are honestly eating in a 24 hour period and review if this is appropriate for their requirements.
10. Speak to an expert (either your Vet or Nutritionist) to help you formulate a safe and effective weight loss programme for your horse.
    

Need a little extra guidance? Our team is just a call away and ready to help with your horse’s nutritional needs. Get in touch with us today.