Prevalence of and risk factors for equine obesity in Great Britain based on owner-reported body condition scores.
Authors: Robin C A, Ireland J L, Wylie C E, Collins S N, Verheyen K L P, Newton J R
Journal: Equine veterinary journal
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Equine Obesity Prevalence and Risk Factors in Great Britain Nearly one in three horses and ponies (31.2%) in veterinary-registered populations across Great Britain are classified as obese based on owner-reported body condition scores, according to a large cross-sectional survey conducted across 30 randomly selected veterinary practices. Researchers used a modified Carroll and Huntington body condition scoring system (1–6 scale) to classify animals as obese when scored 5 or 6, then applied logistic regression analysis to identify associations with obesity across various demographic and management factors. Certain breeds demonstrated substantially elevated obesity risk compared to Thoroughbreds: draught-types were 7.3 times more likely to be obese, cob-types 5.6 times more likely, and native and Welsh breeds 3.2–3.5 times more likely, whilst animals identified as "good doers" carried 3.7 times greater odds of obesity than those maintaining weight easily. Use category significantly influenced obesity prevalence, with pleasure-riding horses and nonridden animals showing 2.5 and 2.9 times higher odds respectively than competition animals—a finding reflecting the substantially lower exercise demands placed on these populations. For equine professionals, these results highlight the critical importance of proactive weight management education tailored to breed predisposition and use category, particularly for native and cob-type animals in leisure contexts where caloric intake often outpaces expenditure.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •Target obesity education and management interventions particularly toward owners of draught, cob, native, and Welsh breeds, which show significantly elevated obesity risk
- •Identify 'good doer' horses early and implement stricter feed management and exercise protocols to prevent obesity development
- •Encourage regular ridden work and competition participation as obesity is significantly more common in pleasure and non-ridden animals
Key Findings
- •Obesity prevalence in veterinary-registered horses and ponies in Great Britain is 31.2% (247/792)
- •Draught-type, cob-type, native, and Welsh breeds have 3.2 to 7.3 times higher odds of obesity compared to Thoroughbreds
- •Horses described as 'good doers' have 3.7 times higher odds of obesity than those maintaining normal weight readily
- •Pleasure and non-ridden animals have 2.5 to 2.9 times higher odds of obesity compared to competition animals