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Obesity can also have significant consequences for mares and their offspring . Mares that are too forward in condition are more likely to suffer from laminitis during pregnancy , ‘ run milk ’ before foaling and their foals have an increased incidence of developmental orthopaedic diseases such as bone cysts and OCD .
IS MY HORSE OVERWEIGHT , FAT , OR EVEN OBESE ? Surveys in Europe , North America , Australia and New- Zealand variously indicate that 2 % - 72 % of horses are considered overweight and 1 - 19 % are considered obese . It has also been shown that horse owners consistently underestimate the body condition of their horses , the researchers noted . Several methods are available to help determine if your horse is overweight . If more than one of these methods indicates your horse is overweight , work with an equine veterinarian to plan a body weight loss program .
BODY CONDITION SCORE ( BCS ) Similar to humans , horses tend to deposit fat in specific areas . The BCS evaluates fat deposits under the horse ’ s skin in six areas : the crest of the neck , withers , behind the shoulder , along the back / topline , over the rib area and at the tail head ( TABLE 1 FIGURE 1 ).
FIGURE 1 .
The Henneke scale was developed for pregnant Quarterhorse mares and ranges from 1 ( very poor / emaciated ) to 9 ( extremely fat ). By palpation ( ie feeling with your figures the depth and ‘ squishiness ’ of fat ) and visual assessment , a numerical value is assigned based on the fat accumulated in all six areas ( Table 1 ). A score of 4-6 is ideal and of 7-9 is overweight to obese .
AQHA MARCH / APRIL ISSUE 2022