Excess weight and over-nutrition have a number of potentially negative effects, including:
- Increased stress on the heart and lungs
- Greater risk of laminitis or founder
- Increased risk of developmental orthopedic (bone and joint) problems in young, growing horses
- More strain on feet, joints and limbs
- Worsened symptoms of arthritis
- Less efficient cooling of body temperatures
- Fat build-up around key organs which interferes with normal function
- Reduced reproductive efficiency
- Greater lethargy and more easily fatigued
From the American Association of Equine Practitioners booklet, which also includes very helpful indepth coverage of what to do in order to safeguard your horse's health.
2 comments:
Hello, I'm just here exploring and trying to educate myself :) Well, I was just wondering when a pregnant mare is considered overweight.
I know some mares that are allowed to get as porky as they please because they're in foal. Yes, pregnant mares are supposed to gain weight, but how much? Does it become harmful at some point? Can it have a negative impact on the foal? Should an overweight mare lose some pounds before being bred? Heh, sorry for all the questions, but if the author or any other readers have some information regarding this, I'd really appreciate it.
in my photobucket there are 4 pics- the grey mare is the question- is she obese? or just a little fat?
the other three are day one of a very hungry little man then photos of him as he progressed
http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm186/seaohurd/
the mare's feed really is simply a handful of oats with her supplements - minerals, vita, some ground fax, garlic, apple cider vinegar; she is on pastrure 24/7
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