The Blue Cross launches ‘Fat Horse Slim’ at Badminton

Leading event riders today backed a new campaign by The Blue Cross to raise awareness of the dangers of equine obesity. As the campaign launched at Badminton Horse Trials, the charity revealed that 40 per cent of all horses and ponies taken in by its equine centres last year were overweight - an increase of five per cent on the previous year.  

Richard Stephenson MRCVS, equine vet at Pool House Veterinary Group who works closely with The Blue Cross, regularly treats overweight and obese horses and fears that Britain will soon be facing an epidemic of this ‘killer disease’.

He said: “Obesity increases the risk of arthritis, heart disease and lung problems, and it is directly linked to laminitis - one of the most common causes of euthanasia in horses.  Next to colic, obesity kills more horses than any equine disease in the UK – yet it is one hundred per cent preventable.”

The Blue Cross’s Fat Horse Slim campaign aims to tackle the growing problem of equine obesity by providing practical guidelines for every horse keeper to monitor and manage the weight of their horse. It is backed by many of the UK’s leading riders, including Badminton competitors and Olympic team members Mary King and William Fox-Pitt.

William said: “Carrying surplus weight makes it much harder for any horse to work well, whatever the level or discipline. The Blue Cross Fat Horse Slim campaign tackles the serious problems associated with overweight horses and ponies by providing sensible, practical advice on how to keep them in optimum shape.”

A Fat Horse Slim weight management pack, sponsored by Dengie, is available to purchase at The Blue Cross stand in the World of the Horse. An educational film fronted by international showjumper Tim Stockdale can be viewed at www.fathorseslim.org.uk, which also offers fat horse success stories and the option to enter The Blue Cross ‘Fat Horse Slimmer of the Year’ competition.

“Many owners may not be aware that their horse has a weight problem or the serious health risks associated with this,” says Rosie Mogford, Blue Cross equine welfare education officer.  “Our perceptions as horse owners have changed over the years and ‘well’ or round looking horses are now more acceptable than they used to be. With this campaign we hope to educate people about the healthy weight for their horses and teach them how to achieve this.”

The Fat Horse Slim pack contains everything the horse owner needs to know about weight monitoring and management, including: a 28-page Blue Cross guide; a Shires weigh tape; calculator; body condition score guide; wall chart for recording weight changes over time; and vouchers for free and discounted Shires and Dengie products.

The pack costs £8 plus postage and can also be ordered online at www.fathorseslim.org.uk or by calling The Blue Cross on 0845 230 1672.  Proceeds from the packs will support The Blue Cross’s work helping animals in need.