Keeping Mrs Potts at a healthy weight has been a challenge but now, with the support of feed company Baileys Horse Feeds, a healthy balance has been found.
Posted on 16/05/2022
Mrs Potts, an attractive 14.1hh bay mare, is based at Hall Farm in Norfolk. She came into our care in 2015 as a 6-year-old, following a request to help another charity with a group of horses kept on wasteland in Bedfordshire. The site revealed a number of horses in poor condition, of which one – Mrs Potts – was very lame, underweight and heavily pregnant. She was also unhandled and had possibly previously suffered from laminitis.
Mrs Potts gave birth to a healthy filly foal at Hall Farm just one month later and both she and the foal thrived. Once Mrs Potts had fully recovered it soon became clear, however, that she was rather prone to weight gain and keeping her at a healthy weight was a challenge but now, with the support of feed company, Baileys Horse Feeds, a healthy balance has been found.
Since recovering, Mrs Potts has been rehomed to a number of homes and has been backed to ride, but her previous history means that she can only undertake gentle hacking and controlling her diet is a large part of the day-to-day management of this laidback and lovely mare.
“Mrs Potts is currently back with us at the farm and she is very popular when we are open to the public, meeting visitors, being groomed and showing her wonderful temperament.
“We are seeing increasing numbers of overweight horses and managing a horse prone to weight gain is not simply restricting the amount of food available. Careful planning must go into what food is given, whilst ensuring that all the vitamins and minerals necessary and with the generous support of feed company, Baileys Horse Feeds, her weight is under control.”
Sue Hodgkins, Centre Manager at Hall Farm
“We’re proud to support World Horse Welfare and their teams rehabilitating all kinds of horses, whether over- or underweight. Many people are surprised to learn that overweight horses benefit from carefully prepared balancers to ensure they get all the dietary support they need, whilst keeping the calories down.”
Graham Rice, Business Development Manager for Baileys Horse Feeds
Topics
Related News
Christmas Closures 2023
Visitor Centre and Head Office opening times during the festive season.
Could you rehome to help make life-saving space for horses in need this winter?
Call for owners to help three horses at once, with 100 horses and ponies on our rehoming pages.
Recommended Blog Posts
Reflections on our relationship with the Balmoral Estate
Centre Manager Eileen reflects on Belwade Farm’s connection with Balmoral Estate – the Scottish residence of our late monarch Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II – over the years.
We catch up with Cadbury and his rehomer on National Chocolate Day
The sweetest rescue pony makes the most of his second chance with rehomer Lucy.
Social licence – how the perception of horse riding has changed
With a recent survey revealing some startling findings about perceptions of the welfare of horses in sport, the horse world has plenty to discuss.
Enjoy reading stories like this?
Join over 65,000 other horse lovers and sign up for our email newsletter
Join over 65,000 other horse lovers and sign up for our email newsletter
Sign me up now