Why does your horses weight matter?

Charity warns of increased risk of laminitis The majority of leisure horses in the UK are overweight, but why does this matter? Watch this film to find out why its so important for your horse to be at the right weight. Grass is greener The wet and warmer weather has meant grass will grow more quickly. Grass can be surprisingly high in calories and can lead to obesity, which can cause long-term health problems. “After an unusually dry winter we have seen a lot more rainfall recently and with the weather warming up, the combination of the two will certainly mean plenty of new grass appearing," said Sam Chubbock, Deputy Head of UK Support at World Horse Welfare. "This sudden growth can often take horse owners by surprise so it’s important to have a plan in place," she adds. Main cause Rich grass can be a huge problem for horse owners, and it is one of the main triggers for laminitis. "Although the condition affects all types of horses and ponies throughout the year, our charity’s Field Officers certainly attend more calls regarding laminitis at this time of year," added Sam. "It’s an incredibly painful condition and it’s notoriously difficult to manage, but if you monitor your horse regularly, you may be able to avoid weight-induced laminitis completely. Therefore it’s vital to ensure your horse is consuming the correct amount of calories for its breed, age, type and workload." For more advice, watch the 'Right Weight' video (above).