Scientific studies

Healthy weight loss for overweight horses

In preparation for the Pavo InShape Program, Pavo cooperated with a number of research partners such as the GD Animal Health on two long-term studies in which overweight horses were supervised to lose weight in a healthy way.

At Pavo, we try to convert problems we recognize in the market into a solution wich helps you as a horse owner in keeping your horse healthy. Approximately 55% which is more than half of the leisure horses in the Netherlands are overweight. Based on this fact we have started a research into the effects on the horse’s health and the right approach to fight the kilos.

What was the intention?

The purpose of these two studies was to be able to determine:

  • The effect of a healthy weight loss program on the sugar metabolism of horses
  • Which exercise recommendations would result in a weekly weight loss of 0.5 - 1%
  • How the horses would respond to the high-protein muesli, Pavo InShape, which we developed for this kind of purpose


The studies in short

Study 1

This study in cooperation with the GD Animal Health, focused on the relationship between obesity and insulin dysregulation in horses

  • Field study among 39 overweight horses (BCS 7, 8 or 9)
  • 16 of the 39 horses suffered from a disturbed sugar metabolism (insulin dysregulation)
  • Duration: 6 months
  • Roughage analysis
  • Individual support with regard to management, exercise and feed
  • Monthly measurements and weighing
  • Monthly adjusted advice with regard to exercise and feed due to acknowledgements of the meantime measurements
  • By means of a dynamic test, the sugar metabolism was established at the start and at the end of the study.

Study 2

This study in cooperation with the Dutch Royal Equestrian Sport organisation KNHS focused on healthy weight loss in overweight horses.

  • Field study among 11 overweight horses (BCS 7, 8 or 9)
  • Duration: 4 months
  • Roughage analysis
  • Individual support with regard to management, exercise and feed
  • Monthly measurements and weighing
  • Monthly adjusted advice with regard to exercise and feed due to acknowledgements of the meantime measurements
  • The blood values were tested at the beginning and at the end of the study.

How have measurements and adjustments been made during the studies?

Sugar metabolism

In the first study, all horses underwent a dynamic test in order to be able to determine the effect of overweight on the sugar metabolism. This test measured the amount of insulin in the blood after administering a dose of sugar. This test was carried out at the beginning and the end of the study.


Exercise

During the study, the amount of exercises of the participating horses were recorded by an app which gave us a good insight into the type and amount of work the owners did with their horses. Due to this recording, we were able to provide specific advice on how to adjust the amount or type of exercise in case of insufficient weight loss.


Feed

The roughage of each participant was analysed regarding the nutritional value including sugar, protein and energy contents. In this way, we were able to provide an individual feeding advice for each horse which could easily be adjusted in combination with the exercises to realise the desired weight loss.


Good to know

During both studies no adverse side effects such as colic, laminitis or diarrhoea occurred and the protein concentration in the blood was maintained at a good level.
The last-mentioned is a good indication of a well-balanced diet.

The results

After the study was completed 9 of the 16 horses that started with a disrupted sugar metabolism (insulin resistance) had regained a normal sugar metabolism. The condition of 2 other horses had remarkably improved.

-57 kilo

After the first six-month study the participating horses had lost an average of 6% of their body weight. Due to an even more precise approach towards the exercise scheme, the horses that participated in the second study (a period of 4 months) had lost an average of 9.5% of their body weight.

On average the Body Condition Scores of the participating horses decreased by 1.5.

Blood values

In total 50 overweight horses were individually supervised, 16 of which were diagnosed with a disrupted sugar metabolism at the beginning of the study. At the end of the program 9 of theses 16 horses had regained a normal sugar metabolism, whereas 2 had immensely improved. In particular the decrease of the BCS - which means the subcutaneous fat layers have decreased - turned out to be the cause of this improvement. By all means a fantastic result!


Body Condition Score

In both studies, the participating horses who all had a BCS of minimally 7 decreased on average 1.5 on the BCS scale. This is the result of the precise combination of management, exercise and feed.


“We discovered that the so-called ‘easy keepers’, such as the native breeds need more time to decrease their fat mass compared with other breeds. Thus, dedication is the key!”

Nutrionist and Veterinarian Veerle Vandendriessche


Weight

Despite the improvement of the BCS and the blood values, the weight changes were less remarkable than first anticipated. The first study resulted merely in an average weight loss of 6% after six months (the aim was between 12 and 24%). Due to a more precise and stricter exercise scheme, the second study resulted in an average weight loss of 9.5% after four months (the aim was between 8 and 16%). Some horses did not lose weight at all or even gained a few kilos. That may not be very motivational for the owner it does. However, this clearly shows that the weight should not be the leading factor in the weight loss program, whereas the BCS should be! The more you exercise your horse, the more muscle mass he will develop and muscle mass weighs three times as much as fat mass!


Girth measurements in centimetres

Finally, in the course of the study, we noticed that the horses had significantly lower girth measurements. This can be explained by the fact that the fat mass on these measurable body parts had decreased (decrease of BCS).


Study partners

KNHS

The Dutch Royal Equestrian Sport organisation KNHS is the head sports organisation for all equestrian disciplines in the Netherlands.

GD animal health

Since 1919 the GD has devoted itself to animal health and for this purpose cooperates with 90 researchers and specialised veterinary surgeons. Yearly almost 5 million laboratory analyses are carried out making their laboratory in the City of Deventer one of the most modern and largest laboratories in the world. The GD works in the Netherlands as also internationally.

Equilab

This app registers the movement of your horse when you ride and is a practical tool to help you reach your goals. The horse’s gaits (walk, trot, and canter), the transitions and time spent in specific gaits and turns are automatically provied when you carry your smartphone with the app in your pocket while you are riding.