Equine Obesity: A Growing Welfare Crisis

Obesity in horses and ponies has reached epidemic levels causing serious welfare problems including laminitis.

Key Facts

Studies estimate that 50 to 70 percent of UK horses and ponies are overweight or obese
Equine obesity leads to laminitis, insulin dysregulation, and joint disease
Native pony breeds are particularly susceptible as they evolved on sparse upland grazing
Owners systematically underestimate their horses weight in studies of owner perception
Laminitis causes severe hoof pain and can require euthanasia in severe cases

Welfare Considerations

Equine obesity causes chronic welfare harm through laminitis which causes intense hoof pain, metabolic disruption, and joint disease. Owner reluctance to restrict grazing contributes to the epidemic. The disconnect between owner perception and actual body condition score delays appropriate management. Once laminitis has occurred, horses remain at elevated risk for recurrence requiring lifelong management. The welfare burden is compounded by owner guilt and inadequate veterinary guidance.

What You Can Do

Learn to body condition score your horse or pony accurately using the 1 to 9 Henneke scale
Implement grazing restriction using track systems or strip grazing for overweight natives
Weigh your horse regularly using a weigh tape or bridge weighbridge
Consult an equine nutritionist to develop a safe weight loss programme
Support BEVA and BWAW campaigns for improved owner education on equine obesity