As part of their ongoing mission to eradicate equine obesity in the UK by 2035, SPILLERS has conducted an extensive survey within the equine industry to better understand the challenges and opportunities in addressing this critical issue.
A significant 83% of respondents believe there is insufficient awareness about the prevalence of equine obesity. This perception is disheartening given the efforts of numerous charities and initiatives like the SPILLERS Slimmers’ Club, which now boasts over 11,000 members. This disparity indicates a need for more widespread and effective educational campaigns.
It’s encouraging to see that 73% of respondents are engaging in discussions with horse owners about obesity ‘somewhat frequently’ or ‘very frequently’. An additional 22% are addressing the issue ‘occasionally’. This proactive communication is crucial in promoting awareness and encouraging action among horse owners.
Despite the high frequency of encounters, there is a notable variation in confidence levels among professionals when discussing obesity. On average, less than one-third of respondents felt ‘very confident’ in these conversations. Worryingly, 40% of vets reported being ‘not confident at all’. This indicates a need for improved training and resources to boost confidence and efficacy in addressing obesity.
The insights from this survey are instrumental in guiding SPILLERS’ future initiatives. Bella Fricker, Project Lead at Mars Horsecare, emphasises the importance of this data:
“The survey has given us valuable knowledge from industry professionals on how they and their clients perceive the problem of obesity. With better clarity about how positive changes can be made, we hope to move forward with new educational projects to support horse owners and industry professionals in recognition, management, and prevention. Our ultimate goal is to banish equine obesity for good, and we are confident that by working together, we can achieve meaningful change.”
Read the full results here
You can also find resources and guidance in relation to Nutrition and Weight Management on the Yard Owner Hub, including from Redwings, World Horse Welfare and Spillers.