Working together key against obesity

An equine weight forum at the Royal International considered what more can be done by all of us

- ELEANOR JONES

SHOWING – and the whole industry – must work together to continue the progress made to combat equine obesity, from grassroots to the top levels.

At the equine weight forum, at the Royal International (RIHS), where the Weigh to Win body condition awards were handed out, representatives of showing societies joined vets, riders and outgoing and new chairs of The Showing Council. It was agreed that it is “crucial” for everyone to work with and via The Showing Council to improve consistency and help support judges and stewards.

“Taking it forward as a collective is the way forward,” said Hickstead director of showing David Ingle. “It’s about a united voice; if we have 40 different voices, nothing will land, it will be a lot slower and we might not do it. If we do it together, we will do it.”

The Horse Trust introduced the awards in 2019 to celebrate horses and ponies of healthy weight; they are assessed by vets and rosettes are awarded.

Imogen Burrows, chair of the British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) ethics and welfare committee, said she and past BEVA president Lucy Grieve are among those championing the scheme.

“We’re working on how to communicate it to clients and owners,” she said. “And this isn’t just showing; it’s a global equine industry issue. I was really excited to be asked to help with the awards, and it gave me a perspective on the pressure in the ring; I take my hat off to judges.”