What Is an Easy Keeper Horse?

An easy keeper horse is a horse that can maintain a healthy weight on a diet of low-quality forage or hay. They are often used as pleasure horses or for light work such as trail riding. Many easy keepers are also Cushing's Disease sufferers, a condition that leads to weight gain and insulin resistance.

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A horse is considered an “easy keeper” when they are able to maintain a healthy body weight on a lower calorie diet and with less exercise than other horses. These horses are more prone to obesity and other health problems if they are not managed properly. Here are some tips on how to care for an easy keeper horse:

1. Feed a high-quality, low-calorie diet. Easy keepers are more prone to obesity, so it’s important to carefully control their calorie intake. Feed them a diet that is high in fiber and low in sugar and starch. There are commercial diets available that are specifically designed for easy keepers.

2. Limit their access to pasture. If possible, only turn them out for a few hours each day. If they have constant access to pasture, they will consume too many calories.

3. Exercise them regularly. Despite their lower calorie needs, easy keepers still need exercise to stay healthy. A regular exercise routine will help them maintain a healthy weight, reduce the risk of obesity-related health problems, and keep their minds active and happy.

4. Monitor their weight closely. Weigh your horse regularly and adjust their diet and exercise accordingly to maintain a healthy body weight.

5. Work with your veterinarian. Make sure to keep up with regular check-ups and vaccinations. And, if your easy keeper develops any health problems, work with your vet to create a treatment plan.

Easy keepers require a bit more care and management than other horses, but with a little extra effort, they can be happy and healthy.

There are many benefits to having an easy keeper horse. One benefit is that they are less likely to colic. Easy keepers are also less likely to get obesity and foundering, which can lead to laminitis. Another benefit is that they require less food and are less fussy eaters. This can save you money on feed bills.

Easy keepers are also said to be more calm and relaxed, which can be beneficial if you are looking for a horse to hack out or do pleasure riding with. They can also be a good choice for beginners, as they are less likely to get excited orbolter.

Ultimately, having an easy keeper horse can save you time and money while also providing you with a calmer, more relaxed horse.

The main disadvantage to having an easy keeper horse is that they are more prone to developing health problems associated with weight gain and obesity. Additionally, easy keeper horses are more likely to suffer from joint and mobility problems as they age. Easy keeper horses also have a higher risk of developing laminitis, a painful and potentially crippling condition. Another potential downside to having an easy keeper is that they may require special feeding and management, which can be costly and time-consuming.

Let's face it, as horse owners, we all want our horses to be healthy and look amazing. But, in order to get our horses looking their best, we often have to make some sacrifices in regards to their diet. For example, many of us have to free-feed our horses (provide them with unlimited hay and grain) in order to prevent them from becoming overweight.

But what if I told you there was a diet that could help your horse lose weight without all the hassle? This diet is called the easy keeper diet, and it's perfect for those horses who tend to put on weight easily.

The easy keeper diet is a high-fiber, low-calorie diet that is designed to help horses lose weight in a safe and healthy way. This type of diet is perfect for horses who are prone to obesity, as it will help them to shed excess weight without compromising their health.

The main goal of the easy keeper diet is to reduce the horse's overall intake of calories, while still providing them with the essential nutrients they need. This is accomplished by feeding the horse a diet that is high in fiber and low in sugar and starch.

One of the best things about the easy keeper diet is that it can be easily customized to each horse's individual needs. For example, if your horse is particularly overweight, you may want to consider feeding them a diet that is even lower in calories. On the other hand, if your horse is not overweight but is struggling to maintain a healthy weight, you can increase their calorie intake slightly.

The best way to determine what type of diet is best for your horse is to work with your veterinarian or a Registered Dietitian. They will be able to help you create a diet plan that is perfect for your horse's individual needs.

An easy keeper horse is one that doesn't require a lot of exercise to maintain a healthy weight. These horses are often able to maintain a healthy weight on a diet of hay and grass, without the need for costly grain supplements. While easy keepers don't require a lot of exercise, it's still important to give them some form of daily activity to keep them healthy and happy. Here are a few things to consider when deciding how much exercise your easy keeper needs:

The first thing to consider is the age of your horse. Young horses generally need more exercise than older ones. If your horse is under the age of four, it's important to give them at least 30 minutes of exercise each day. This can be in the form of riding, turnout in a paddock or field, or even just hand-walking. Older horses can get by with less exercise, but it's still important to give them at least 15-20 minutes of activity each day. This can be in the form of light riding, turnout, or even just walking around the pasture.

The second thing to consider is your horse's overall health. If your horse is healthy and doesn't have any health problems that limit their activity, they can probably handle more exercise than an easy keeper with health issues. It's important to talk to your vet to get their opinion on how much exercise is appropriate for your horse.

The third thing to consider is your horse's level of fitness. If your horse is out of shape, they will need to gradually increase their activity level to avoid injury. An unfit horse shouldn't be asked to do strenuous exercise, such as long distance riding, until they've had a chance to build up their fitness levels. An easy way to gradually increase your horse's fitness is to start with short rides or turnout sessions, and gradually increase the time and intensity over a period of weeks.

So, how much exercise does an easy keeper horse need? It depends on a few factors, but as a general rule of thumb, young horses need at least 30 minutes of exercise each day, while older horses need at least 15-20 minutes. If your horse is healthy and fit, they can probably handle more exercise than that. Just make sure to talk to your vet and start gradually if your horse is out of shape.

An easy keeper is a horse that doesn't require a lot of food to maintain a healthy weight. They are often called "good doers" because they stay healthy and fit on less than what is considered a normal ration. While this can be a positive trait, it's important to remember that easy keepers still need a proper diet and care to stay in top condition. Here are a few things to look for that may indicate your horse is an easy keeper:

• Good body condition - An easy keeper will typically have a body condition score (BCS) of 5-7 on a scale of 1-9, with 9 being obese. They should have a healthy coat and no visible ribs, hips, or other bones.

• Less appetite - An easy keeper may not be as interested in food as other horses. They may leave some hay or grain in their feeder, and they may not be as interested in treat foods.

• Lower weight - Easy keepers tend to weigh less than other horses of similar size and age. This is one reason why it's important to have your horse's weight checked regularly by a veterinarian or equine nutritionist.

• Good health - Easy keepers are often less susceptible to health problems like arthritis, laminitis, and insulin resistance.

If you think your horse may be an easy keeper, talk to your veterinarian or equine nutritionist. They can help you develop a care and feeding plan that will help your horse stay healthy and fit.

Yes, an easy keeper horse can become overweight. While easy keepers are naturally more efficient at digesting their food and storing body fat, they are not immune to becoming overweight.

Overweight horses are at an increased risk for health problems such as laminitis, insulin resistance, and joint problems. horses carrying excess weight are also more likely to suffer from heat exhaustion and respiratory difficulties.

Easy keepers are more prone to becoming overweight because they are typically fed diets that are high in energy and carbohydrates. These diets create a 'fat-storing' environment in the horse's body, which can lead to weight gain even when the horse is not consuming more calories than usual.

To help prevent your easy keeper from becoming overweight, focus on feeding a balanced diet that is low in sugar and carbohydrates. Avoid excessive grain and forage consumption, and make sure your horse has access to plenty of turnout and exercise.

easy keepers that are already overweight may need to be placed on a special diet and exercise regime in order to lose the excess weight. This process can be slow and difficult, but it is important to start as soon as possible to avoid further health problems.

An Easy Keeper horse is one that requires less food than other horses of the same size and weight. They are often described as “good doers”. While this may sound like a desirable trait, it can actually lead to a number of health problems if not managed properly.

One issue easy keepers are prone to is obesity. These horses tend to put on weight easily and can become obese if not given the proper amount of exercise and fed a balanced diet. obesity can lead to a number of health problems including joint problems, insulin resistance and laminitis.

Joint problems are a common concern for easy keepers. The added weight puts extra strain on the joints which can lead to pain and inflammation. If left untreated, joint problems can become severe and lead to lameness.

Insulin resistance is another health concern associated with easy keepers. This occurs when the body becomes less sensitive to insulin, leading to elevated blood sugar levels. If left untreated, insulin resistance can lead to diabetes.

Laminitis is a potentially devastating condition that can occur in easy keepers. This is an inflammation of the tissues that connect the hoof to the bone. Laminitis can be very painful and can lead to permanent damage to the hoof. In severe cases, it can be fatal.

Easy keepers need to be managed carefully to avoid these health problems. They should be exercised regularly and fed a diet that is high in fiber and low in sugar and calories. Close attention should be paid to their weight and body condition to ensure they stay healthy.