• CONTACT
    • Reporting welfare concerns
  • HOME
  • Rehomed Equines
    • Guardians needed
    • Accord
    • Annie
    • Creme
    • Mimi
    • Nanette
    • Titos
    • 2009
      • Asal
      • Balto & Jenna
      • Brandy (Gucci)
      • Daisy & Dora
      • Gasparin (Gazza)
      • Goliath
      • Maddy, Elly & Poppy
      • Molly & Merlin
      • Ossie & Princesse
      • William
      • Wilbur & Piona
    • 2010
      • Belle
      • Corran Ard
      • Columbus
      • Lena & Belle
      • Leonide
      • Lily & Marcy
      • Perry
      • Vinnie
    • 2011
      • Manon & Rowan
      • Hugo
  • Ownership
    • Donkey Care
      • Donkey Feeding Guidelines
      • Donkey & Mule References
    • Mules
    • Regulations
      • Export Health Certificates
      • Passports
        • France
        • Spain
        • UK
    • Microchips
    • Hoofcare
    • Teeth
  • Campaigns
    • ‘French Rescues’
    • Horsemeat in France
    • Transport to Slaughter
    • Market Welfare
    • Suggested Changes to the Tripartite Agreement
  • OUR BLOG

Home » Donkeys » Too fat or too thin?

Too fat or too thin?

Posted by on Nov 23, 2008 in Donkeys, Horses, Welfare | 0 comments

From a welfare point of view it is just as dangerous for an equine to be too fat as it is too thin. Being able to condition score and knowing the weight of your equine is very important when it comes down to feeding, worming, rugging and working your equine.

Firstly you’ll need to know how to rate your equine’s bodyweight on a condition score of 0 to 5.

  •   0 is Emaciated/very poor
  •   1 is Poor
  •   2 is Moderate
  •   3 is Good
  •   4 is Fat
  •   5 is Very fat/obese

The ILPH have a very good web page here that you can print off as a guide. Weight tapes can easily be purchased now that give you an idea of how much your horse weighs…imperative for knowing how much wormer to administer!

Bear in mind breed types whilst reckoning your score. If your thoroughbred looks like a show cob, then he may be nearer a 5 than a 3! Alternatively, if your heavier breeds resemble a working thoroughbred type, your equine is probably closer to a 2 or a 1 than he or she should be.

This horse would be probably be classed as a condition score 1

This horse would be probably be classed as a condition score 1

It is not just horses and ponies whose weight you have to monitor. Donkeys are just as much at risk of being under or overweight as this photo shows. For some more advice on donkey condition scoring  and fact sheets on donkey care go to this Donkey Sanctuary page.
 
photo showing fat deposits on a donkey

photo showing fat deposits on a donkey

There are lots of factors that can contribute to equines being under and over weight…some of these can be managed by us. In the case of equines being underweight attributing factors may be:

  • Dental problems-Have your equine regularly seen by a dentist.
  • Injury and pain related conditions.
  • Old age
  • Excessive work
  • Stress
  • Parasite infestation
  • Poor Nutrition

Equines that are overweight could also be at risk from Laminitis, heart, lung and joint problems and it can also be a sign of Cushings disease.

With the winter now approaching you may want to start considering if your equine needs a rug (especially older animals), shelter, the condition of your grazing and the hay/feed rations they are now receiving.




Leave a Reply

Click here to cancel reply.

Recent blog posts

  • The Ones Left Behind.
  • Safe
  • Quarantine
  • Saving Mississippi
  • The Wrong Horse (TWH)
  • Saving Mississippi – The Road Out
  • Mississippi’s Story

Previous posts

  • May 2017 (7)
  • September 2016 (1)
  • May 2016 (1)
  • February 2016 (4)
  • January 2016 (2)
  • December 2015 (1)
  • September 2015 (3)
  • August 2015 (3)
  • July 2015 (3)
  • May 2015 (4)
  • April 2015 (7)
  • March 2015 (5)
  • February 2015 (5)
  • January 2015 (2)
  • December 2014 (1)
  • June 2014 (1)
  • May 2014 (2)
  • April 2014 (2)
  • January 2014 (1)
  • November 2013 (1)
  • September 2013 (1)
  • January 2013 (1)
  • October 2012 (2)
  • June 2012 (3)
  • April 2012 (1)
  • January 2012 (1)
  • December 2011 (1)
  • October 2011 (1)
  • September 2011 (4)
  • August 2011 (2)
  • July 2011 (4)
  • June 2011 (7)
  • May 2011 (2)
  • April 2011 (3)
  • March 2011 (4)
  • January 2011 (5)
  • December 2010 (2)
  • November 2010 (3)
  • October 2010 (3)
  • September 2010 (4)
  • August 2010 (1)
  • July 2010 (1)
  • June 2010 (6)
  • May 2010 (4)
  • April 2010 (6)
  • March 2010 (6)
  • February 2010 (7)
  • January 2010 (10)
  • December 2009 (7)
  • November 2009 (8)
  • October 2009 (9)
  • September 2009 (13)
  • August 2009 (11)
  • July 2009 (7)
  • June 2009 (9)
  • May 2009 (7)
  • April 2009 (9)
  • March 2009 (7)
  • February 2009 (7)
  • January 2009 (11)
  • December 2008 (6)
  • November 2008 (11)
  • October 2008 (9)
  • September 2008 (10)
  • August 2008 (7)
  • July 2008 (8)
  • June 2008 (14)
  • May 2008 (9)
  • April 2008 (8)
  • March 2008 (7)
  • February 2008 (9)
  • January 2008 (2)

CONTACT

erfwelfare@gmail.com

Recent Comments

  • Rainbow Ribbon Ride | Pilgrim on Horseback on Endurance damaging Equestrianism in the Olympics
  • Anonymous on Enduring Attrition
  • Anonymous on Molly and Merlin looking for a real forever home
  • Michelle on Molly and Merlin looking for a real forever home
  • Anonymous on Serious Welfare Breaches filmed in UK Abattoir

Created by SARL AMM | Association Loi 1901