Is There an Equine Obesity Epidemic?

The podcast discusses the issue of equine obesity, its detrimental effects on horse health, and ways to manage it. It highlights how overweight horses often face shorter lifespans and lower quality of life, emphasizing the need for responsible feeding practices. Dr. Mortensen gives a retrospective on the life and work of Dr. Don Henneke, a pioneer in equine nutrition who introduced the Henneke body condition scoring system. It encourages listeners to rely on this system to help maintain their horses' health. The podcast further explores psychological aspects of horse overfeeding, explains the significance of diet evaluation, and provides strategies for managing overweight horses such as cutting down commercial feeds, increasing forage-based diets, and limiting pasture access. The speaker asks listeners to analyze their horses' diet and apply the knowledge shared in the podcast. Link to Body Condition Scoring Article HERE Link to Diet Evaluation HERE Podcast Timeline 00:00 Introduction and Importance of Horse Health 01:35 The Legend of the Horse Industry 04:20 The Impact of Obesity on Horses 05:32 Understanding the Psychology Behind Horse Obesity 06:55 The Complexity of Horse Nutrition 07:56 The Obesity Epidemic in Horses 13:13 The Henneke Body Condition Scoring System 23:20 The Impact of Body Condition on Horse Reproduction 26:10 Global Obesity Epidemic in Horses 29:24 Understanding Horse Weight Fluctuations 30:30 The Psychology of Horse Owners and Weight Management 31:53 The Impact of Overfeeding and Misconceptions 32:29 The Cost of Overfeeding and the Need for Education 34:22 The Consequences of Ignoring Weight Issues 35:08 The Importance of Body Condition Scoring 39:17 Strategies for Weight Reduction and Diet Management 46:07 The Role of Supplements in Horse Diets 49:05 The Importance of Community and Sharing Knowledge 50:00 Conclusion: The Need for Change in Horse Weight Management Visit https://madbarn.com/mad-about-horses/ to learn more about the Mad About Horses podcast.  --------------------------------- Mad Barn Academy is dedicated to supporting horse owners, handlers and practitioners through research, training and education. Visit us to learn more at ⁠⁠https://madbarn.com ⁠⁠ You can also find Mad Barn at: ⁠ Instagram ⁠⁠@madbarnequine⁠ ⁠⁠ Facebook ⁠⁠@madbarnequine⁠⁠ TikTok ⁠⁠@madbarnequine⁠⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠⁠ @madbarn ⁠⁠ We would love to hear from you! Please send any questions or comments to ⁠[email protected]