Happy, healthy horses the aim in move to combat equine obesity

A training day focusing on the implications of healthy and excess weight is well received

- ELEANOR JONES

HAPPIER, healthier horses across the board was the aim of a session held as part of efforts to combat equine obesity.

The Horse Trust hosted the training on 16 April as an extension of the Weigh to Win initiative, which involves giving awards to the horse or pony of the healthiest weight in showing classes.

Attendees took part in interactive sessions, during which they assessed horses’ body condition and looked at ultrasound imaging to see where fat was deposited.

The charity’s head of research and policy Jan Rogers told H&H the event went well, with a range of guests. “There was really good engagement,” she said, adding that the consensus was that the situation is much improved, but there is work to be done.

Ms Rogers said the ultrasound helped convey that fat can be present and doing damage even if not visible. Delegates saw horses’ weight assessed via a tape and weighbridge, so they could see what those values looked like, then assessed horses using body condition scoring.