Exploring horse owners' understanding of obese body condition and weight management in UK leisure horses.
Authors: Furtado Tamzin, Perkins Elizabeth, Pinchbeck Gina, McGowan Catherine, Watkins Francine, Christley Robert
Journal: Equine veterinary journal
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Horse Owners' Perceptions of Equine Obesity and Weight Management Equine obesity represents a significant welfare challenge in UK leisure horses, yet surprisingly little research has examined how owners perceive their horse's weight as part of overall health or implement weight management strategies. Using qualitative methodology, Furtado and colleagues analysed data from online forum discussions, individual interviews with 28 leisure horse owners, 19 equine professionals, and two focus groups (21 participants) to understand owner perceptions through grounded theory analysis. The research revealed that awareness of excess fat is not straightforward; many owners struggled to distinguish pathological obesity from their breed's natural conformation, particularly with heavier native breeds and cobs, often constructing body fat as an inherent body component rather than a modifiable risk factor. Paradoxically, some owners simultaneously believed their horse was ideal weight whilst describing it with terms like "like a Thelwell"—indicating cognitive dissonance between visual assessment and conceptual understanding. When owners did recognise fat as changeable and health-threatening, weight management became framed as a "battle" or "war," complicated by perceived immediate welfare trade-offs (restricted grazing, reduced social contact) that conflicted with their preferred ownership practices and horse-human relationships. These findings have important implications for how equine professionals communicate weight concerns to owners, suggesting that successful strategies must address not only the mechanics of weight loss but also owners' underlying conceptualisations of normal body shape and their concerns about management-related welfare costs.
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Practical Takeaways
- •When discussing weight with owners, use breed-specific body condition scoring and visual comparisons rather than abstract descriptions, as owners have difficulty recognizing obesity in heavier breeds.
- •Frame weight management positively as enhancing health and performance rather than as a battle, and emphasize that gradual, moderate caloric restriction does not compromise welfare.
- •Tailor weight management recommendations to align with owners' preferred practices and strengthen the horse-human relationship rather than competing with it.
Key Findings
- •Horse owners struggle to differentiate obesity from normal breed-type body shape, particularly in heavier breeds like native ponies and cobs.
- •Owners view equine body fat as an integral part of the horse's natural body rather than a changeable health parameter.
- •When owners recognize fat as changeable and health-threatening, they frame weight management as a 'battle' or 'war' against a strong-willed adversary.
- •Owners perceive weight management as having immediate negative welfare implications, creating conflict with preferred ownership practices and the horse-human relationship.