Hale and hearty

MAINTAINING A HEALTHY body weight in any horse or pony can be a challenge, but it can be particularly difficult as your horse gets older. Obesity is a major welfare concern in Britain’s equine population, but being underweight also has its own health and welfare implications. As your horse ages he can be affected by a wide range of common diseases that can affect his ability to maintain a healthy weight.

CAUSES OF WEIGHT LOSS

Weight loss can be associated with a loss of muscle and/or fat. A number of diseases can cause weight loss in older horses, including: Equine Cushing’s disease (aka PPID; pituitary . While the ‘typical’ equine Cushing’s patient is overweight, this isn’t always the case . The disease can cause muscle wastage — usually seen as loss of topline over the back or a potbellied appearance — and abnormal fat distribution, often seen as bulging above the eyes or behind the shoulders. Internal parasitism — Parasites are an issue in horses of any age, but in older animals they can deprive a horse of vital nutrients. It is worth noting that if a horse has unmanaged Cushing’s disease, they will be pre-disposed to parasitism. Dental disease — Both gum disease and loose, missing or fractured teeth can cause weight loss in older horses. Weight loss can come on suddenly and is usually due to a reduction in feed intake caused by pain or selective feeding. Muscle or joint pain — Any condition causing pain can lead to reduced movement and grazing and therefore a lower feed intake. Equine asthma (formerly called IAD/RAO/COPD/heaves) — If this condition is severe and left untreated it will prove to be a significant drain on a horse’s energy and, over time, it can cause weight loss.