That’s the weigh to win

The Horse Trust and the University of Liverpool are spreading the word on healthy equine weight

The Horse Trust and the University of Liverpool have created a new scheme – called the Weigh to Win – to stress the importance of maintaining healthy weight in horses.

Under the scheme, horses in selected showing classes at participating shows across the country were assessed by a vet for body condition. Those with the healthiest body condition scores were awarded one of the Horse Trust’s special green-and-gold rosettes as a reward.

Over the course of four years, data were collected and analysed at Hickstead (one of the participating showgrounds) and results revealed that average body condition scores at shows are reducing. Professionally produced horses are often slimmer than amateur ones, and professionals are often winning awards, suggesting they know what judges are looking for – and that’s fitness, not fatness. It’s important to note, however, that there are still some overweight horses across all the classes, particularly natives – so there’s plenty of work remaining to be done.

The initiative has now been in place for four years and many shows have been seeing positive coverage in the equestrian and national press, as well as growing interest in support for improvement in the health of horses, so there are signs this aspect of welfare is moving in the right direction.

Jeanette Allen, CEO of the Horse Trust, said: “No more research is needed, as we know what damage excess weight does, but it doesn’t change people’s behaviour. The Horse Trust funded the research into management of equine weight and that’s where the Healthiest Body Condition Awards came from, and they are changing horses’ lives for the better.”

To find out more, visit horsetrust.org.uk

Photo credit: nigel baker photography