b'NUTRITIONcondition, its important to take actiontime, in addition to structured exercise, if he falls outside the ideal. A horse thatmay be the key to bringing the horse back scores 1 through 3 is in poor to thindown to an ideal body condition score, condition. Malnourished horses are atFabus says.a higher risk of having a compromisedShe explains that a horses reproduc-Putting immune system, among other compli- tive status also affects what we consider cations. But dont make hasty rationideal. You might want a mare thats Forage Firstincreases to try to remedy the situation;about to foal to have a bit more fat cover, introduce more food slowly to avoid gas- because the caloric shift that takes place trointestinal upset. when transitioning to nursing a foal can As youre getting started, be sure tocause weight loss. Conversely, too much have your veterinarian check the under- weight on a mare before foaling can lead weight horses teeth; being able to chewto a higher rate of dystocia, or difficulty forage and feed properly is important towith labor and delivery, she says.his gaining condition. First you want to increase the amount of calories youre providing your horse in the safest and easiest way possible,Providing the horse Fabus says. Horses should get mostample turnout time, in nutrients from forage, so increasing the nutrient density of your hay is oftenaddition to structured the first and best step for a horse withexercise, may be the healthy teeth.Adding alfalfa to a primarily grass- key to bringing the based ration is one option. Anotherhorse back down to an alternative is feeding second-cutting hay, which can be more nutrient-dense thanideal body condition For more information visit first-cutting hay. If you have limited hayscore.choices you can add alfalfa cubes or www.ADMEquine.com pellets. TAYLOR FABUS, MS If youve decided that you need to try more than just adjustments to your hay, you can introduce more concentratesIts Not One and Done(grain) or add supplements to your exist- Its important to monitor a horses body ing concentrates, she says. I prefer acondition score regularly so you can pick rice bran product. Adding oil, such asup on changes quickly and make neces-corn oil, is another quick and palatablesary dietary and exercise adjustments. way to add calories. Ask your veterinarian to teach you how Conversely, a horse with a score ofto body condition score your own horse. 7 through 9 is categorized as fleshy toLocal extension agents and feed deal-obese.ers can also recommend resources and Horses carrying too much BCS orpublications that provide step-by-step in-approaching a score of 8 or greater couldstructions, says Coleman. TheHorse.com become insulin resistant (experiencing aoffers several resources, including a video reduction in insulin sensitivity that makesin which Coleman describes the process it more difficult for cells to take up blood(TheHorse.com/139137.) Regardless of sugar for metabolism or storage), developwhere you turn, practice is the most effec-metabolic syndrome, and may be pronetive method for using BCS correctly.to founder (chronic laminitis, or cases inChecking during routine grooming which the horse has already had its coffincan work, but you might want to record bone rotate or sink), Coleman says. the score every time you score the horse Reducing or potentially eliminatingso nothing sneaks up on you, Coleman grain is a first step in lowering a horsessays. Horse owners need to learn how to BCS. Feeding a less-nutrient-dense grassuse the system and then check horses on hay is a second step. As with humans, thea regular basis to make sure they are stay-key to an ideal body condition score ising where they need to be. Horses gaining often exercise.or losing will need adjustments to their Providing the horse ample turnoutfeed andmanagement.h44February 2020The Horse|TheHorse.comNutrition_Feb.indd 44 1/3/20 10:44 AM'