Obesity Questionnaire

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Athena055

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Hello,
I am currently studying at College for a Level 3 Extended Diploma in Horse Care and Management. As part of the course work we have to undertake an investigative project of our choice. My project is called ‘Has there been an increased number of equine obesity cases in the United Kingdom in the last 10 years?’.
As part of my project I am researching the public awareness of equine obesity and I have chosen to do this by posting a questionnaire on this forum. I greatly appreciate it if you could answer my questions below.
1) Do you own your own horse and if so would you consider it overweight at the moment?
2) What methods do you use to check that your horse is of a healthy weight? For example, feel ribs but cannot see them, body scoring, weight tape?
3) What is your understanding of a good doer?
4) What illnesses/problems do you think occurs from an overweight horse?
5) What do you think is the main cause of equine obesity in the UK?
Thank you for answering my questions.
 
You'd be better to set up a survey really, but:

1. Yes, two. No, neither are overeight.
2. BCS, weight tape.
3. A horse with a negative RFI - puts on the same amount of weight from less food!
4. I haven't got all night! But OA, laminitis, EMS etc
5. Clueless owners over-feeding due to guilt/ lack of education / overweight horses in media and show ring / feed company nonsense / lack of work etc.
 
1) Do you own your own horse and if so would you consider it overweight at the moment?
Yes I have my own horse. No he is not overweight at the moment.

2) What methods do you use to check that your horse is of a healthy weight? For example, feel ribs but cannot see them, body scoring, weight tape?
I weigh tape every week and record the results so I can track trends. Also check ribs, neck and bum.

3) What is your understanding of a good doer?
My horse ;) One that puts on weight on no hard feed or additional forage whilst living out unrugged in the middle of winter!

4) What illnesses/problems do you think occurs from an overweight horse?
Joint problems, poor quality hooves and laminitis, skin conditions, weakened immune system, tooth infections, insulin resistance

5) What do you think is the main cause of equine obesity in the UK?
Owners who don't take it seriously, over-rugging and feeding of hard feed and a lack of un-improved grazing. My horse was horrendously obese when I bought him, but his owner had him rugged up, living on acres of dairy pasture and was feeding him mollassed chaff every day.
 
Do you own your own horse and if so would you consider it overweight at the moment? Yes. 1 is and 1 isn't
2) What methods do you use to check that your horse is of a healthy weight? For example, feel ribs but cannot see them, body scoring, weight tape? Body score and weight tape
3) What is your understanding of a good doer? A horse that does well on minimal food.
4) What illnesses/problems do you think occurs from an overweight horse? EMS, Laminitis, insulin resistant
5) What do you think is the main cause of equine obesity in the UK? Owners over-rugging and over-feeding.
 
1. Own four, one is currently borderline.
2. Both eyes.
3. One that lives on the smell of an oily rag.
4. Laminitis, joint problems, ems, etc etc etc
5. The same as anywhere else - too much food, too little exercise.
 
1) Do you own your own horse and if so would you consider it overweight at the moment?
Yes i own my own horse and no i wouldnt say he was overweight.

2) What methods do you use to check that your horse is of a healthy weight? For example, feel ribs but cannot see them, body scoring, weight tape?
Body scoring and sometimes a weight tape.

3) What is your understanding of a good doer?
A horse that needs no or minimal feed to keep condition on and still has the energy to be worked.

4) What illnesses/problems do you think occurs from an overweight horse?
Foot issues, lami, ems, strain on limbs and organs, lack of energy and drive.

5) What do you think is the main cause of equine obesity in the UK?
Feeding for the sake of feeding, rather than feeding for the actual horses work load and condition. Also feeding the wrong feed. Lush pastures seeded for cows not horses. Over rugging and under working.
 
I personally don't think it is over feeding. My lot have only non-molased s/b and Safe and Sound from March to December, in fact I am about to start cutting feed even though we appear to have no grass.

I think the problem is exercise. My horses who do endurance eat huge amounts and never put on weight, those who do less gain weight easily. My stallion gets two big feeds each day and three barrow loads of hay plus at least 4 hours on grass.

All horses were bred to work, the rode/drove for several hours each day when they were needed for transport. Pat Smythe describes hacking 40 miles to compete in horse shows. Working owners are hard pushed to work for an hour a day.

My o/h always had a weight problem and no diet ever worked. We moved to France and he lost 3 stone in two years WITHOUT diet. Three course French lunch, plenty of wine and light supper but plenty of walking.
 
1) I have one, and share another. Neither are overweight, both are healthy weights
2) Both eyes! Also feeling ribs and general body scoring
3) A horse that does well (keeps weight and condition) on less than normal amounts of food
4) Laminitis, joint issues, insulin issues, lameness issues, fitness issues ie lungs not functioning properly or heart working harder at resting rate and when working
5) Lack of knowledge in a suitable diet, too much food, not enough management, lack of work, too much hard feed, lack of understanding about types of feeds and their affects, overfeeding for show ring, 'molly cuddling' of horses, 'must have' feeds and supplements- partly influenced by media.
 
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1) Yes - starting to be a bit overweight for my liking.
2) Body scoring. My own eyes can tell if a horse looks overweight IMO.
3) A horse which puts on weight easily/keeps weight on with little food.
4) So many but laminitis, muscle strains, joint problems to name a few.
5) IMO over feeding and not enough exercise. People over estimate how much 'work' their horse is in. Some owners think their horses are in medium work when infact they are only in light work really so the energy the horse doesnt use just turns to fat. We stable horses a lot more too so stabled horses dont use as much energy as grass kept ones. Also when a horse is lethargic some feed higher energy feeds but this rarely works as it is the lack of fitness which makes the horse lethargic!
 
1) Do you own your own horse and if so would you consider it overweight at the moment?
No, fine at the moment.

2) What methods do you use to check that your horse is of a healthy weight? For example, feel ribs but cannot see them, body scoring, weight tape?
Feel ribs but not see them, general visual overview of horse's muscle and mass (hips, neck, pads on elbows/shoulders), weigh tape.

3) What is your understanding of a good doer?
A horse like mine, holds good condition, easily puts weight on if fed too much, utilises their nutrition very well, best kept on forage-rich with mineral/vit diet.

4) What illnesses/problems do you think occurs from an overweight horse?
Cushings/Insulin Resistance, laminitis, overheating if exercised intensely leading to colic, difficulties breathing when exercised intently, muscular and tendon/ligament strains from carrying the excess weight (esp if exercised intensely), tack fitting difficulties and sores (inc rugs).

5) What do you think is the main cause of equine obesity in the UK?
Too much sugar-rich food (ryegrass pastures), too much additional feeding (mixes, etc) for horses in light work which could easily work straight off grass for the amount of work they are doing. Marketing of feeds and balancers and other nutritional supplements puts pressure on people to feed their horses more than necessary. Add in you-must-rug-your-horse so the horses aren't using calories to keep warm. The horse ends up being the equivalent of a human couch potato. All that's needed is some sort of iPad or Playstation for the horse and their transferral to a sedentary lifestyle is complete!
 
JFTD said:
You'd be better to set up a survey really, but:

1. Yes, two. No, neither are overeight.
2. BCS, weight tape.
3. A horse with a negative RFI - puts on the same amount of weight from less food!
4. I haven't got all night! But OA, laminitis, EMS etc
5. Clueless owners over-feeding due to guilt/ lack of education / overweight horses in media and show ring / feed company nonsense / lack of work etc.
Click to expand...


Same as this.
 
Athena055 said:
Hello,
I am currently studying at College for a Level 3 Extended Diploma in Horse Care and Management. As part of the course work we have to undertake an investigative project of our choice. My project is called ‘Has there been an increased number of equine obesity cases in the United Kingdom in the last 10 years?’.
As part of my project I am researching the public awareness of equine obesity and I have chosen to do this by posting a questionnaire on this forum. I greatly appreciate it if you could answer my questions below.
1) Do you own your own horse and if so would you consider it overweight at the moment?

I have two horses both Cobs. One, my retired older horse is what i would consider overweight, my other younger horse is at a good weight.
2) What methods do you use to check that your horse is of a healthy weight? For example, feel ribs but cannot see them, body scoring, weight tape?

I use my eye and my 40 years experience with horses to help me judge that. I also listen to my vet and other professionals with whom I deal.

3) What is your understanding of a good doer?

Both my horses are good doers, they are both native types and are therefore adapted to survive on limited forage. They will then gain weight quickly if fed in an inappropriate way. That could mean too much food or even food of the wrong type such as alfalfa or cereal based foods.
4) What illnesses/problems do you think occurs from an overweight horse?

Being overweight leads to loads of problems eg. trouble with joints, laminates, behavioral issues and so on and so forth.
My horse has arthritis so it is important to keep him at a reasonable weight so that not too much strain is placed on his joints.

5) What do you think is the main cause of equine obesity in the UK?
over feeding, the feeding of cereal to horses in light work, idiot owners,

Thank you for answering my questions.
Click to expand...

My computer is having a hissy fit..........the replies above are mine.
 
Athena055 said:
Hello,
I am currently studying at College for a Level 3 Extended Diploma in Horse Care and Management. As part of the course work we have to undertake an investigative project of our choice. My project is called ‘Has there been an increased number of equine obesity cases in the United Kingdom in the last 10 years?’.
As part of my project I am researching the public awareness of equine obesity and I have chosen to do this by posting a questionnaire on this forum. I greatly appreciate it if you could answer my questions below.
1) Do you own your own horse and if so would you consider it overweight at the moment?

I Have five horses non are overwieght .

2) What methods do you use to check that your horse is of a healthy weight? For example, feel ribs but cannot see them, body scoring, weight tape?

Weighted three or four times a year.
Then by eye .

3) What is your understanding of a good doer?

A horse that's needs very little food to gain or maintain it's weight.


4) What illnesses/problems do you think occurs from an overweight horse?

Laminitis , EMS , tendon and muscle strains ,arthritis ,skin problems it a very long list many many conditions are driven by obesity
.
5) What do you think is the main cause of equine obesity in the UK?

Horses taking in too many calories and doing to little work .

Thank you for answering my questions.
Click to expand...

Hope that helps
 
1) Do you own your own horse and if so would you consider it overweight at the moment? Yes - 2. both fine at the moment although one will put on weight as soon as the grass starts coming through.

2) What methods do you use to check that your horse is of a healthy weight? For example, feel ribs but cannot see them, body scoring, weight tape?
Annual weigh bridge check. Weight tape at the same time to use as a reference point and then weight tape monthly as a comparison.

3) What is your understanding of a good doer?
A horse that will maintain / put on weight very easily with little food.

4) What illnesses/problems do you think occurs from an overweight horse?
Laminitis, arthritic problems due to strain on joints, EMS

5) What do you think is the main cause of equine obesity in the UK?
Too much food or too much of the wrong food (e.g rich grass, hard food that's too high in energy) and too little exercise.
 
1) Do you own your own horse and if so would you consider it overweight at the moment? Yes &No

2) What methods do you use to check that your horse is of a healthy weight? For example, feel ribs but cannot see them, body scoring, weight tape? Body Scoring, Weigh Tape

3) What is your understanding of a good doer? A horse that put weight on easily or maintains weight with little food

4) What illnesses/problems do you think occurs from an overweight horse? Joint problems, laminitis, heart problems, more strains on tendons/ligaments/muscles

5) What do you think is the main cause of equine obesity in the UK? Not knowing what tyoe of work their horses are in, and if theyre good doers.. thinking they're just ''big boned'' and lack of knowledge
 
Yes 5 one of which is overweight
2 restrict grazing soaked hay. Exercise
3 good doer - likes food doesn't need much would eat til it burst
4 too many to list kami, ems spring to mind but the list is long
5 not enough work and too much good grazing selective breeding hasn't helped either
 
1) 2: 1 yes, 1 no
2) Weigh bridge for EMS cob, see ribs on TB, weigh tape
3) Puts weight on easily and difficult to loose again
4) EMS, laminitis, IR, joints, arthritis, strains
5) lots of possibilities: uneducated owners, underlying health issues, lack of work, lush pasture, too much feed / hay / haylage
 
1) Do you own your own horse and if so would you consider it overweight at the moment? Yes, I have 3: 1 is overweight.
2) What methods do you use to check that your horse is of a healthy weight? For example, feel ribs but cannot see them, body scoring, weight tape? All of these, plus eye.
3) What is your understanding of a good doer? Horse which gains weight on "normal" rations, or is greedy
4) What illnesses/problems do you think occurs from an overweight horse? EMS, Cushings, Laminitis, breathing probs, joint probs, fitness probs
5) What do you think is the main cause of equine obesity in the UK? Overfeeding, lack of work,
Thank you for answering my questions.[/QUOTE] You're welcome; good luck with the project!
 
1) Do you own your own horse and if so would you consider it overweight at the moment?
Yes, yes she is overweight (been out of work all winter)
2) What methods do you use to check that your horse is of a healthy weight? For example, feel ribs but cannot see them, body scoring, weight tape?
weigh tape & condition score and also by eye looking at fat pads/crest
3) What is your understanding of a good doer?
my mare - a horse that puts weight on just looking at food never mind eating it
4) What illnesses/problems do you think occurs from an overweight horse?
laminitis, equine metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance
5) What do you think is the main cause of equine obesity in the UK?
overfeeding/too little exercise & the fact that a lot of yards are old cattle pasture so are rye grass and other such rich grasses which are far too sugary for horses
 
) Do you own your own horse and if so would you consider it overweight at the moment?
Yes own 1 - currently borderline but worse in summer.
2) What methods do you use to check that your horse is of a healthy weight? For example, feel ribs but cannot see them, body scoring, weight tape?
Weight tape and observation
3) What is your understanding of a good doer?
one that processes its food very efficiently and needs its intake to be managed.
4) What illnesses/problems do you think occurs from an overweight horse?
EMS, laminitis, lethargy, joint problems
5) What do you think is the main cause of equine obesity in the UK?
too much access to good quality grazing, over feeding over rugging and lack of exercise

Read more at http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/foru...299-Obesity-Questionnaire#QPioro3l5yCpmy04.99
 
1) Do you own your own horse and if so would you consider it overweight at the moment? I own two horses both are the correct weight
2) What methods do you use to check that your horse is of a healthy weight? For example, feel ribs but cannot see them, body scoring, weight tape? Condition scoring, weigh tape, well trained eye
3) What is your understanding of a good doer? A horse or pony that gains weight easily and may need a restricted food intake
4) What illnesses/problems do you think occurs from an overweight horse? Laminitis, ems, joint, tendon and ligament issues etc
5) What do you think is the main cause of equine obesity in the UK
Owners over rugging and over feeding, horses being grazed on fertilized pasture
 
1) Yes and no, I feel like he's at the right weight for winter.
2) Condition scoring and frequent weight checking
3) A horse that can keep a good weight on little food, but will become overweight on a normal diet
4) Strain, laminitus etc
5) People not knowing. Overweight horses are becoming more normal which makes people think that it's not overweight at all, and a horse with a good weight is underweight.
 
1) Do you own your own horse and if so would you consider it overweight at the moment?

Yes two. I would consider one to be overweight.

2) What methods do you use to check that your horse is of a healthy weight? For example, feel ribs but cannot see them, body scoring, weight tape?

Weigh tape, by eye.

3) What is your understanding of a good doer?

One which puts weight on easily or maintains weight very easily.

4) What illnesses/problems do you think occurs from an overweight horse?

Laminitis, limb strain/ arthritis, EMS.

5) What do you think is the main cause of equine obesity in the UK?

Lack of education towards feeding, fat horses being seen as the 'norm' and normal weight ones having their owners told they're too thin.
 
1) No
2) Visual and the tightness of the girth
3) Something that gains and retains weight on low value food
4) Laminitis, lethargy, strain on muscles and organs
5) Over feeding, over rugging and under exercising
 
1) Do you own your own horse and if so would you consider it overweight at the moment?

Yes, no, he lives out 24/7 and is definitely not overweight at the moment.

2) What methods do you use to check that your horse is of a healthy weight? For example, feel ribs but cannot see them, body scoring, weight tape?

Looking, girth tightness. As he lives out, his weight fluctuates more than that of stabled horses.
3) What is your understanding of a good doer?

A horse that maintains weight on little feed.

4) What illnesses/problems do you think occurs from an overweight horse?
Laminitis main one, joint issues etc

5) What do you think is the main cause of equine obesity in the UK?
Rich pasture, small fields where horses can't walk like they would in the wild to eat, over rugging, over feeding cereals.
 
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