Obesity in 'leisure' horses becomes big cause for concern

The study showed that at least one in five horses used for leisure are overweight or obese. This can lead to laminitis and equine metabolic syndrome.

Helen Stephenson, a third-year veterinary student, assessed the prevalence of obesity among horses whose owners were registered with the Oakham Veterinary Hospital which specialises in the treatment of horses.

Questionnaires were sent out to 500 owners. None of them kept horses for breeding, livery, use at riding stables or in competitions, so all were classed as keeping their horses for leisure only.

Of the 160 questionnaires returned, one in five showed that the horses were either overweight or obese.

Dr Sarah Freeman, a specialist in veterinary surgery at the vet school supervised the research.

"This provides the first snapshot of the prevalence of obesity in horses in the UK and an insight into owners' management of bodyweight in horses," she said.

"Obesity is linked to a number of different diseases, including arthritis, laminitis and equine metabolic syndrome.

"A larger study would be useful to establish the prevalence and risk factors for equine obesity in different horse populations across the UK."

The research showed that owners often underestimate their horse's weight. They were asked to score their horse's body condition from zero to five with a score of more than three indicating overweight.

The researchers then assessed the condition of 15 randomly selected horses to see if the scores had under or overestimated the horse's weight. Their scores were significantly higher.

They estimate that the true prevalence of overweight or obesity was likely to be 54 per cent rather than the 20 per cent indicated by responses to the questionnaire.

"I feel that addressing this issue is an important role for the profession," said Helen. "I hope to do my part when I go into practice."

Equine charities and organisations such as the British Horse Society have been involved in running campaigns to alert owners to the dangers of letting their horses become overweight.

Lee Hackett, head of welfare at the BHS, said: "The problem of obesity in horses is not new. It has been an increasing concern for us in recent years.

"We are passionate about educating horse owners about the correct weight for their horse and heightening awareness of the dangers of their horse being overweight."

n Find out more about how to check your horse's weight under the welfare section at www.bhs.org.uk.

n THE first Yorkshire point-to-point of the season will get underway on Sunday, following two cancellations due to the weather.

The Yorkshire Area Point-to-Point Club's meeting is at Sheriff Hutton, on land belonging to racehorse trainer Mick Easterby. The first race is at 12 noon and proceeds from the event will go to the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

There are 122 entries for the six-card race and the biggest field of the day looks likely to be in the Open Maiden race which has 35 entries.

Busy preparing to ride in his first-ever race is 16-year-old Harry Bannister. He will be riding Sonevafushi, owned by his father, Nick and uncle, Tom.

The horse has a very successful track record with over 12 wins. Both Nick and Tom Bannister have ridden in point-to-points and are joint masters of the Pendle Forest and Craven Hunt.

Harry has been getting in some practice when he is home from school by riding out at the Easterby yard and also at Cherry Coward's yard.

The first race of the day is the Chris Hoggard Memorial Club Members Conditions Race, for horses that have not won a race, other than a point-to-point or a hunter chase. There are a number of consistent horses among the 15 entries but the favourite could be Tom Bannister's My Old Piano, who won his maiden race at this course in 2009 and has continued to progress.

In the Men's Open race Oedipe should be a strong contender with Eliza Doalott also in the running. The Ladies' Open race could see a win for the Coward team and Narciso.