Nutritional Considerations When Dealing with an Obese Adult Equine

Megan Shepherd; Patricia Harris; Krishona L Martinson

doi:10.1016/j.cveq.2020.12.004

Nutritional Considerations When Dealing with an Obese Adult Equine

Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract. 2021 Apr;37(1):111-137. doi: 10.1016/j.cveq.2020.12.004.

Authors

Megan Shepherd¹, Patricia Harris², Krishona L Martinson³

Affiliations

¹ Nutrition, Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Phase II Duck Pond Drive, Virginia Tech Mail Code 0442, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA. Electronic address: meshephe@vt.edu.
² WALTHAM Petcare Science Institute, Waltham-on-the Wolds, Melton Mowbray, Leics LE14 4RT, England.
³ Department of Animal Science, University of Minnesota, 1364 Eckles Avenue, St Paul, MN 55108, USA.

PMID: 33820604
DOI: 10.1016/j.cveq.2020.12.004

Abstract

Equine obesity is common, reducing quality of life and requiring dietary energy restriction. Equine obesity is identified using subjective body condition scoring. Considerations are given for life stage and health status when managing obese equines. Every effort should be made to maximize feeding duration, and minimize time spent without feed while meeting all essential nutrient requirements. Limiting total daily dry matter intake to 2% of current bodyweight per day of a low caloric, forage-based diet may result in adequate body weight loss. Weight loss and weight management plans should be monitored for success and potential gastrointestinal, metabolic, and/or behavioral complications.

Keywords: Body condition score (BCS); Ideal body weight; Metabolic; Morphometrics; Ration; Weight loss resistance.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Animals
Diet / veterinary*
Diet, Reducing / veterinary
Female
Horse Diseases / diet therapy*
Horses
Obesity / diet therapy
Obesity / veterinary*