Shifts in seasonal temperatures and increased precipitation and varying rainfall patterns in the UK have largely been attributed to rising global temperatures. While many of us enjoy distinctly hotter summers than we have had in previous years, sporadic heavy rainfall, combined with warmer temperatures, subsequently result in greater grass flushes and extended growing periods than may be expected over the spring, summer and autumn months in the UK.
A recent review highlights the implications of excess adiposity on exercise performance in the sports horse. Writing in the journal Animals, Shannon Pratt-Phillips and Ahmad Muniizun described how owners of horse and pony breeds more susceptible to obesity, and those with existing or history of metabolic issues, may already be considering how best to manage their horses with consideration to changing grass growth.
The authors highlight that, for sports and performance horses with access to grazing, the situation may be more complex. For many top level performance horses who require a much higher feed energy content to match energy output when ridden, increased likelihood of lush grazing may be financially and logistically more of a help than a hindrance. But what about performance horses who may be more prone to weight gain, have reduced exercise levels either from injury or increasing age, or those who are working at a moderate level but may not require high levels of energy from feed?