Walking On Volume 2, Issue 2, February 2015 | Page 10
For the Health of It
Does That “Hay Belly”
Really Mean Your Horse is Fat?
Ever been told that your horse has a hay belly and needs to
lose weight? Well, relax! He’s not fat, he just has gas! In fact, gas
production is normal and healthy. It indicates that your horse
is getting enough hay for hindgut microbial fermentation to
occur.
A distended abdomen is often referred to as a “hay belly” to
describe an overweight horse, even when the rest of his body is
normal, but actual fat does not accumulate extensively on the
horse’s lower abdomen (belly).
Horses do accumulate worrisome fat in specific areas: neck,
withers, back, ribs, shoulders, and tailhead. Excessive fat in
these areas increases a risk for laminitis and increased inflammation throughout the body. In 1984, Dr. Don Henneke, of
Texas A&M University, developed a “body condition scoring
system” that categorizes horses’ condition based on the amount
of fat stored in these six areas. This system is still the mainstay
for equine health professionals.
10 • Walking On
Horse owners who deliberately limit hay consumption and
replace it with cereal grain to avoid a hay belly are doing their
horses a disservice and are increasing the risk of digestive and
metabolic disorders. Forage should be the foundation of any
horse’s diet. It is vital for the health of the hindgut microbes,
and hence, the health of your horse.