Slimmer ponies with smarter grazing

It’s no secret that overweight ponies are a big problem these days – with up to half of all leisure horses in the UK thought to be carrying a few too many pounds. But don’t worry – a new study might have the answer to keeping those pesky pounds off your pony without compromising on his freedom to graze!

Researchers set out to explore how changing the way horses graze could help manage their weight and reduce the risk of nasty conditions like laminitis and insulin issues. And the results are pretty exciting – especially for owners of good-doers who balloon at the sight of a blade of grass!

Grazing – but make it smart!

The team behind the study wanted to test if switching from a traditional paddock set-up to a track grazing system – where horses are encouraged to move more by following a path around the edge of the field – could make a difference. So, they kept a close eye on 19 horses of different breeds living at HorseWorld in Bristol from July to October 2023.

Every pony was carefully monitored by a vet and the HorseWorld team for their weight, body condition score (BCS), hoof health, and general happiness.

The results are in!

Ponies on the track system came out top – they lost an average of 3.4% of their bodyweight, and 25% of them dropped half a BCS over the three months. That’s a win for the waistline!

In contrast, the horses on traditional paddocks actually put on a bit of weight – 1.5% on average, with 40% increasing their BCS by 0.5. Yikes!

But it wasn’t just about the weight. Hoof health also improved – with 68% of the track ponies scoring higher in their farrier checks, and the rest staying the same. Plus, the study found no negative effects on their behaviour or wellbeing – so they stayed happy and healthy while slimming down.

What does this mean for pony owners?

This study shows that track systems could be a fab option for managing weight in ponies, especially those who can’t be exercised much due to age or injury. It’s a brilliant reminder that small changes in how we manage our fields can have a big impact on our ponies’ health.

So, if your pony’s waistline is looking a bit too round, a track system might be worth a try. After all – happy hooves and healthy habits make for the best kind of pony life!