The makers of Spillers have given Redwings Horse Sanctuary a kick-start for 2023 with a donation of £5,000. The money was pledged by the feed brand in return for horse owners joining their ‘kilos to £££’ weight loss initiative last year, which helped overweight horses slim down.
Owners around the country signed up to the project, which involved them registering the number of kilos their horse or pony lost during their weight loss journey. Every one of these kilos was converted by the feed company into £5,000 for Redwings to help them with their vital equine welfare work, which includes rescuing horses from the risks of obesity.
“We are thrilled to be able to start the New Year with such a good news story,” said Sarah Nelson, Product Manager at Spillers. “Our £5,000 donation is not only supporting our favourite charity’s vital equine welfare work, but the project has also helped to draw attention to the risks posed by equine obesity and has supported and encouraged safe, sustainable weight loss for many overweight horses and ponies in the UK.”
Being overweight can pose as much of a welfare risk as being underweight for horses, not only because of the direct weight-associated effects, but also due to the increased risks posed for certain clinical conditions, especially laminitis. Other health and welfare implications include increased joint strain, respiratory stress, heat intolerance, an increase in chronic low-grade inflammation in senior horses and reduced fertility.
Spillers launched the Slimmers’ Club in 2021 to help address the problem of equine obesity in a positive way. Now, with almost 5,000 members, the club provides practical support and friendship for owners of overweight horses and ponies.
You can find out more and join the Spillers Slimmers Club by clicking here.
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