Signs of hope in battle against dangerous equine obesity

Horses and ponies were given awards for healthy body condition at the Royal International

- ELEANOR JONES

THERE are hopeful signs that positive change is being made in showing on equine weight – but “we all need to keep on it”.

After a successful pilot in 2019, the Horse Trust and behaviour change specialist Tamzin Furtado joined forces at the Royal International Horse Show (20–25 July) to assess the condition of horses and ponies. The animal in each class with the healthiest body condition was given an award.

The aim was to reward healthy condition, and spread the word on how best to maintain it.

Dr Furtado, whose PhD was on equine obesity and owner attitudes to it, told H&H the pilot involved hunter classes, entrants in which were more likely to be near ideal body condition, but this more extensive project involved more than 300 animals in 12 classes, from ponies to cobs.

“It was so interesting,” she said. “It really highlighted that there is an issue with obesity in showing, but it’s not what people think it is.”

Dr Furtado said the scheme busted some myths; notably that all show horses and ponies are fat. Although the smaller ponies and maxi cob classes “definitely had trends towards the upper ends of the condition scale”, this was not the case across the board.

This led her to believe that competitors may aim for an “ideal” weight for the classes they contest, which means efforts can be targeted where they are needed.