Horse care tips

If your horse is overweight, ask whether it really needs a rug, or a lighter one. Digesting fibre keeps horses warm, and using energy to keep warm helps weight loss.

For an overweight horse, a small neck-and-belly clip without a rug can — done carefully — help it burn more energy over winter.

If your horse scores below 2 out of 5 for fat, talk to your vet about its health, and use a rug when temperatures drop.