Is There an Equine Obesity Epidemic?

Mad About Horses

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.

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