SPILLERS support Redwings with weighty campaign

Redwings have said a huge thank you to SPILLERS for their support as part of their most recent equine obesity campaign.

The feed company is on a big mission this year; to help overweight horses get slimmer while adding weight to Redwings Horse Sanctuary’s funds. They have pledged to convert equine weight loss kilos into £££s, to raise £5,000 for the charity.

SPILLERS is inviting horse owners to join the SPILLERS™ Slimmers’ Club, with the goal of members’ horses collectively losing 100,000kg. As the weight loss accumulates it will be converted to a financial donation of £5k to support Redwings’ vital equine welfare work, which includes rescuing horses from the risks of obesity.

Lynn Cutress, Chief Executive of Redwings, said: “We are very grateful to SPILLERS™ for supporting us through this important campaign.

“Redwings is a charity 100% funded by donations, and we could not do the work we do, caring for over 1,500 rescued horses, ponies, donkeys and mules every day and rescuing hundreds more, without donations like this.”

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.

Nicola Jarvis, Head of Veterinary Services at Redwings, said: “Fat has long been regarded as just an innocent way to store excess calories, but we now know fat produces chemicals that negatively affect our horse’s metabolism and health, as it does in humans.

“By helping our horses safely reach an ideal body condition score we decrease their risk of laminitis and the agony and suffering this condition brings. At Redwings we empathise with the challenges of managing weight, especially in our Cobs, Welsh Ponies and Shetlands, but getting an honest opinion as to whether your horse is overweight is essential. Don’t wait for laminitis to strike before seeking advice.”

The SPILLERS™ Slimmers’ Club was launched summer 2021 to help address the problem of equine obesity in a positive way. Now, with more than 2,900 members, the motivating and friendly club provides practical support and camaraderie for owners of overweight horses and ponies, to aid them on their weight loss journey. It provides information and advice including weight loss tips, details of how to body condition score and use a weigh tape, diet plans and weight loss records. Club members also receive access to a dedicated Facebook group where they can share their horse’s progress and tips with other owners, get inspired with success stories and post questions for SPILLERS™ nutritionists to answer.

“Our mission for this campaign is threefold,” said SPILLERS™’ Product Manager Sarah Nelson.

“We want to use our knowledge and expertise to help owners of overweight horses and ponies achieve safe, sustainable weight loss, to raise funds to support our favourite charity Redwings and to continue to raise awareness of the need to end equine obesity for good.”

To sign-up to the SPILLERS™ Slimmers’ Club go to: https://www.facebook.com/groups/322710156018763

If you’d like to make a donation to Redwings please visit www.redwings.org.uk/donate or call 01508 505246.