My Mum usually visits in January because it's her grandson's birthday and she doesn't want to miss his special day.  She travels a whole day covering thousands of miles to be with him…..what a grandma! When she visits she always brings some horse mags with her for me (magazines). 

 One of the mags had an interesting article on obesity not only in horses but in riders too. Our RSPCA which is the same as your SPCA were saying that it was more neglect to have an obese horse than an emaciated horse.  The article also blamed judges in the show ring who like to see over stuffed fat horses and ponies and placed them higher in the line up than leaner fit horses. 

 A horse which is obese will suffer with leg, heart, and various other health problems. Owners need to know what the correct weight their horse should be and judges need to change their attitude so that show horses aren't produced in such a 'porky manner' and have the best interests of the horse in mind. As I haven't been to many shows here I am not sure if the USA judges look for the same over stuffed horses! 

 Horses should have an exercise program. Whether you are giving your horse the winter off and will be riding again in the spring, or you only have time to ride once or twice per week or you are able to ride five times a week an exercise program should be thought out.  

 An overweight and unfit horse should be ridden lightly to begin with to enable the horse to get use to the exercise, and as the horse gets fitter work can increase.  Varying the horses exercise with trail rides, arena work and lunging will strive for a balanced horse mentally and physically. 

 Horses out in fields all day are much fitter even without regular riding than those stabled 24/7.  A fit horse will maintain its fitness with the regular riding but be sure not to over do it and override your horse.  

 Underweight horses may possibly suffer from a dull coat, colic, worms, leg problems and mental problems and when regularly ridden are in going to lose more weight. Horses need a balanced diet with fresh water and exercise (which may consist of riding or being kept out in a field as exercise) and shelter.

 Horses aside, now what about you, the rider? Yes, too many of us are putting on the pounds, particularly after overeating and drinking at Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year. There is legislation now in England for Riding Schools and Equitation Centres to make sure that horses and ponies are ridden only by people with a reasonable weight.  Therefore if Mr. or Mrs. Hefty turns up for a lesson you need to have an appropriate sized horse to carry them.   But, it's not as simple as that! Factors taken into consideration are the breed, age and height of the horse/pony and the tack weight too. Saddles can be quite heavy particular Western saddles. (Although the synthetic kind are a lot lighter than the leather ones). 

 Of course the legislation are for riding schools in England but not for privately owned horses and ponies but it won't be long before you will be fined for being too heavy for your horse. It's no good having a 200 pound person riding a 15-year-old, 13hh Arab Pony, or a 3-year-old 15hh thoroughbred.  A more stocky breed like a cob or shire x would be more suitable.

 So, before munching into that meal deal of two donuts and a medium coffee at Dunkin' Donuts think what effect it may have not just on you but on your horse too!  

 Enjoy your horse and your riding.