How to Manage Equine Obesity (2021)
Overview
Obesity is often said to be one of the most frustrating but pervasive issues that equine veterinarians deal with; it can be difficult to bring up the topic with owners, to help them to really see that the animal is overweight, as well as to ensure that they actually change their behaviour. This talk brings together the results of a three-year study into horse owners’ perceptions of equine body condition and weight management, and theories of behaviour change and human psychology. By using these theories to better understand horse owner behaviour, this talk provides practical information which can be used to help with those difficult conversations.
Presenters
Dr. Tamzin Furtado PhD
Tamzin is a social scientist with a background in global health, and has a specific interest in the interconnections between human and animal health and wellbeing. She completed a PhD at the University of Liverpool studying how we can improve the management of obesity in horses, particularly focusing on horse-human relationships and human behaviour change. She now works on projects covering a wide range of aspects of understanding human behaviour in order to improve companion animal welfare, and in using social sciences to find out more about how we can help people to change. She is working with BEVA on their equine obesity initiative, and frequently gives lectures and talks about applying behaviour change principles to help equine professionals and owners manage weight.