Question
Palisades is my 15-year-old, 12.2-hand Welsh Pony mare; she weighs 600 lb (275 kg) with a BCS of about 7, complete with cresty neck. She’s fed 1 lb (0.45 kg) of pelleted feed and has full access to pasture all day. She runs out of energy at shows, so I’d like to know how much I can feed her without running into problems with a “grain-crazy” brain and without adding flesh to her neck. She sheds out normally in the spring, so I don’t suspect Cushing’s.
Answer
As you have discovered, it can be challenging to maintain energy under saddle while trying to obtain weight loss. Current dietary intake is the first thing to consider when developing a weight-loss diet, and the primary dietary consideration should be forage. From your description, it seems grass pasture is Palisades’ only source of forage. If grass is plentiful, her intake may need to be restricted with a muzzle or time spent in a drylot.
Even though forage intake will be reduced, and thus her energy consumption, with a muzzle or drylot, it is important to ensure Palisades’ nutrient requirements are met. Her current diet is not completely meeting those needs based on your description. A change in feed would benefit her. A ration balancer pellet would provide a more concentrated source of nutrients. For example, if you switched her to 0.5 lb (0.27 kg) of a ration balancer pellet, it would supply all of the vitamins and minerals missing in the forage without adding much energy. Several ration balancer products are available, so be sure to read the feeding instructions carefully to ensure you’re feeding Palisades the proper amount. Alternatively, you could feed her a well-formulated vitamin and mineral supplement, such as Micro-Max. All-Phase and Gold Pellet are available in Australia, and are scientifically formulated to help meet the nutritional requirements of easy keepers.
At competition, I assume the mare is consuming hay. Grass hay would be acceptable at 1.25-1.5% of her body weight per day. Feeding hay in a slow-feeder or closely knit haynet will help to slow consumption, making a smaller amount of hay last longer.
In addition to the balancer pellet, you could consider feeding a small (0.5-1 lb or 0.27-0.45 kg) amount of alfalfa pellets or alfalfa hay prior to performance to help add some energy under saddle. Not all horses respond to this addition, but it would be worth trying 30-45 minutes prior to exercise.
Studies show that overweight but otherwise apparently healthy individuals secrete inflammatory mediators that mimic systemic inflammation in nonobese individuals. Increases in these inflammatory mediators may contribute to the development of obesity-related inflammatory disorders such as osteoarthritis. Maintaining an exercise program is necessary in combination with a weight-loss diet. Therefore, prophylactic joint supplementation is beneficial to promote longevity in a performance pony.
Glucosamine chondroitin and sodium hyaluronate are both important to cartilage and joint health. KER-Flex is a high-quality oral glucosamine chondroitin that helps preserve joint integrity. Synovate HA is a high-molecular weight sodium hyaluronate supplement that facilitates smooth, frictionless joint movement. In addition to Synovate HA, Australian horse owners should look for Glucos-A-Flex.
The last recommended product is EO-3, a fish oil rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Adding supplemental omega-3s to the diet helps reduce body-wide inflammation. Long-chain omega-3s like those found in fish oil are better utilized by the horse than plant sources of omega-3s, like flax. Research has shown that DHA and EPA, both of which are omega-3s, can be beneficial for arthritis and metabolic conditions. EO-3 helps mediate inflammation and aid in insulin sensitivity. Although deodorized, EO-3 should be introduced very gradually to allow the horse to adjust to the cherry scent and flavor.
Providing electrolytes at competition may also be helpful in maintaining energy for longer competitions. A daily slow-release electrolyte like Restore SR would be a good option to replenish what is lost in sweat and to maintain electrolyte balance. In Australia, horse owners should look for Restore or Endura-Max, both of which are available as powder or paste.
