As horse owners, we owe it to our horses to make sure they are well-fed, healthy and enjoy a good quality of life. However, a horse which is so overweight it is actually obese doesn’t meet any of the three criteria mentioned above. While we may think that the horse is only slightly overweight, the truth is the weight problem can be killing the horse. It is our responsibility to take an active role in controlling and maintaining our equine’s weight. This entails nutrition management, an exercise program and proper veterinary care.

When planning and starting an equine weight loss program for your overweight and obese horse, it is important to remember that this is a process that must be done gradually and under the supervision of a veterinarian who specializes in the treatment of horses.

So getting started, the first thing is to always be patient. Healthy weight loss is a slow, steady process. It’s no different if we were to go on a diet. Nothing happens overnight so don’t expect results right away. Also rapid weight loss can potentially stress the horse and upset its metabolic processes.

Next, set up an exercise schedule. As the weeks go by, gradually build time and intensity into the regiment as the horse's fitness progresses. When the horse reaches a weight plateau, which it will, start cutting back its daily rations of food.

It is important the horse receives plenty of clean, fresh water. It aids the digestive system, along with other bodily systems, perform as well as possible. Water also is excellent for ridding the body of metabolic and other wastes. Choose a feed that offers high quality fiber yet low total energy. I recommend a lower in fat feeds since fat is an energy-dense nutrient source. It helps the weight loss process while also providing the necessary nutrients for the horse.

Implement some horse supplements into its daily diet while also making gradual changes in the type and amount of feed. Most vets will usually tell you to ration its feed by no more than ten percent over a seven to ten day period. Also, remember to gauge the feed by weight instead of volume to verify proper sized rations. Try to balance its diet based on its age and physical activity level.

Once the horse has achieved a healthy body condition, you know have to make sure it maintains this proper weight. You’ll want to continually observe and adjust its daily feed rations as a means of properly stabilizing its weight.