Our native naturally good doing breeds have adapted to graze poor quality pasture, during spring and summer when food is readily available, they are designed to store the excesses as fat in preparation for winter.

As natives’ popularity rose for their use in pleasure and sport, we have totally changed the environment in which they live. These factors include an increase in the quality of feed, the amount of readily available feed and in many cases rugging which leads to less energy expenditure on staying warm.

These factors have led to an increase in obesity and weight related issue such as Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS) or Insulin Dysregulation. But using the winter wisely can play an important role in weight management. 

Allow natives to use their fat reserves throughout the winter, it is fine for them to be on the leaner side at the end of the winter in preparation for spring. In the coldest of weather, a horse’s energy utilisation can rise by 25-30%, so if your horse or pony is a little overweight allow him to use his stored reserves rather than increasing his feed. Let the weather do some of the hard work for you. The majority of native breeds that are unclipped won’t need rugged, particularly those that are overweight.  

For those living out in winter, they may not require additional forage unless grass availability and quality rapidly decline, or the field becomes covered in snow. For those stabled for part of the day, consider how much hay or haylage you are feeding. Most horses or ponies will maintain their weight on a diet that supplies the minimum 1.5% (dry weight) of their bodyweight in total forage per day, e.g., 7.5-10kg for a 500kg horse. If your horse or pony is overweight and you are supplying more than this try adjusting this down. Remember too that although the grass has less nutritional value in the winter, it will be supplying some energy and protein and therefore you will not need to provide the full ration of forage to meet this 1.5% requirement in the stable overnight.

If you are trying to get your horse to lose weight it’s worth having your forage analysed, allowing you to choose the one with the lowest energy. If you choose hay, go for a mature fibrous one, such as Timothy hay, as this is likely to be lower in calories. If you do choose haylage, opt for a high-fibre source as it is likely to be lower in energy than a less mature ryegrass source.  

Soaking your hay will help to reduce the water-soluble carbohydrate and calorie content. Regardless of the forage source you choose, it won’t supply a balanced diet. In order to achieve this, choose a low-calorie feed balancer such as Stamm 30. This will provide good quality protein alongside vitamins and minerals making up for any shortfalls in the diet without adding unnecessary calories.

In order to extend eating time, use double haylage nets. Ensure your horse has time each day eating from the ground to avoid any strain.

Provide your horse with exercise either ridden or in hand, particularly for those that are stabled in the winter to help burn additional calories.

The problem with not allowing a fat pony to lose weight through the winter is that the insulin resistance, resulting from cortisol production, is not reversed. When allowed to continue long-term, this can result in Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS) or Insulin Dysregulation, giving rise to elevated levels of glucose and insulin in the blood and, ultimately, a greatly increased risk of laminitis.

Constant monitoring of a pony’s body weight and condition, through weighing or weigh taping and use of a Body Condition Scoring (BCS) system are essential for the long-term maintenance of healthy body weight, along with corresponding alterations to diet, exercise, and management to achieve healthy body condition. For more information on how to best support your good doers needs in winter contact a member for the Bluegrass team for expert nutritional advice.