Related posts:

1. Equine Obesity

What is Equine Insulin Resistance?

Equine Insulin Resistance is a condition in horses that is very similar to type II diabetes in humans. Glucose, which is sugar, serves as the drive for many functions in the body and in response to high glucose levels, insulin is usually produced. Insulin’s primary function is to facilitate glucose levels in the blood which also relates to glucose uptake by cells and formation of fat. Equine Insulin Resistance occurs when there is a reduction in sensitivity to insulin that decreases the ability of glucose to be sent to the cells from the bloodstream.

Fatty deposits and a cresty neck are common signs of insulin resistance.

Signs of Insulin Resistance

There are many signs of Equine Insulin Resistance in horses. The most common are the lethargy, weight gain, weight loss, muscle loss, lack of stamina, crusty neck, and the concentration of fat in areas such as the loin, behind the shoulder, and tail head. There is also significance in the relationship between Laminitis in horses and Insulin Resistance. With either Laminitis, or Insulin Resistance comes high risk for the other to eventually accompany.

It is important to note that while obesity and Insulin Resistance are often commonly present together, not all Insulin Resistant horses are obese and not all obese horses are Insulin Resistant.

Causes of Insulin Resistance

The causes for Equine Insulin Resistance are still unknown, but several possibilities exist. Diet and obesity tend to be at the top of the list with obese horses and those fed high levels of sugar and starch rather than fiber and far rations far more likely to acquire the disorder. Insulin Resistance is also far more prone to older horses and those with a family history of Laminitis.

Prevention of Resistance

If the horse tends towards obesity, formulate a balanced diet with low sugars containing primarily grass, or legume mix hay. Testing pastures and dry forages for the amounts of sugar present is also a good practice for prevention. It is important to note that the horse’s diet is the most important step is prevention and the prevention is always preferable to treatment.

Treatment of Insulin Resistance

Insulin Resistance in horses is best treated if the horse is obese by weight loss through exercise and diet. A minimum exercise of 30 minutes and the elimination of carbohydrates through less grains and sugar for the horse’s diet are good beginners. The best diet consists of warm season grasses such as Bermuda grass.

If dieting it can be very beneficial to include an adaptogen supplement in the horses diet.  One such supplement is APF Plus, an herbal supplement made up of a combination of 5 adaptogens.  APF was found in independent field trials reported in the October 2002 issue of Horse Journal to be very effective in managing both primary insulin resistance as well as secondary insulin resistance associated with Cushing’s disease.  In addition APF Plus has an anticatabolic effect in that it conserves skeletal muscle even when the subject is on a weight loss nutrition regime. There is little loss of muscle mass and a utilization of lipids.

Another good supplement for Insulin Resistant horses is Metaboleeze.  Metaboleeze lowers circulating levels of insulin, thereby improving insulin sensitivity. When used in conjunction with typical therapies (pergolide or cyproheptadine), evidence suggests that Metaboleeze corrects Insulin Resistance more rapidly.

Related posts:

1. Equine Obesity
2. Equine Cushing’s Disease
3. Equine Laminitis

• How do I know if my horse is obese?
• What causes obesity?
• What are the dangers of obesity?
• Solution/weight loss prevention
• Natural options for weight loss

An obese horse grazing.

How do I know if my horse is obese?

Horses, like humans, can be over fed and become obese. A horse’s metabolism will often slow down as it ages. There is a scale used to measure horse obesity known as the condition score. Scores go from one through nine. One meaning very skinny and nine meaning obese, ideally, you want your horse to be around a five. A horse that is a five has a flat back, its shoulders and neck fade into the body smoothly, and the horse’s ribs are not easily noticeable.

What causes obesity?

Some major causes of obesity are over feeding, horses will often over eat when given the opportunity. This combined with a lack of proper exercise, poor dental care, etc will cause obesity. People who own rich pastures with horses that graze freely instead of on grain are subject to having their horses become obese because it results in more eating and less exercise.

What are the dangers of obesity?

Hazards of equine obesity include such things as increased stress on the lungs and heart. It puts a horse at greater risk for Laminitis, bone and joint problems, arthritis, easy fatigue, and reduced reproduction efficiency. Another major risk to an unhealthy horse is Insulin Resistance which is very similar to diabetes in humans. These hazards can also make obese horses more vulnerable to diseases in general. Simply put, an obese horse is not a healthy horse.

Solution/weight loss prevention

To prevent your horse from becoming obese is simple, just make sure your horse is getting proper exercise and eating a healthy and balanced diet. Reducing a horse’s weight is not easy and takes time, if a horse loses weight too quickly then your horse will have some major health risk. The process is slow but steady. You should gradually reduce the horse’s food ration by no more than 10% in a 10 day period. You can track your horse’s progress by using a weight tape, these are ideal instruments for keeping track of your horses weight even after your horse is back down to a healthy state to ensure your horse will stay that way. You should make sure your horse drinks lots of water to rid the body of wastes and make your horses digestive system run efficiently. Give your horse a diet that is high in fiber and low in fat/energy, also try measuring the horses feed by weight instead of volume to help you determine appropriate rations.

If you own more than one horse you should have the obese horse feed away from the other horse so it does not have a chance to steal another horse’s meal. Lastly, the horse’s diet should be balanced on age and the amount of activity it does, make sure you continue to meet the vitamin, mineral, and protein requirements. You may consider adding a supplement to the rations to compensate lower quality, less nutrient dense feeds. Once you have your horse at its ideal weight, remember to make sure it continues to receive proper exercise and diet to maintain its weight.  

Natural options for weight loss

If your horse is overweight and needs to be on a weight loss diet.  It can be important to introduce an adaptogen supplement into the diet.  Adaptogens are substances that are safe for long term use with few side effects, do not create physiological changes in physical parameters and increase the animal’s ability to adapt to a variety of stresses.  APF Plus is a herbal supplement made up of a combination of 5 adaptogens.  In addition APF Plus has an anticatabolic effect in that it conserves skeletal muscle even when the subject is on a weight loss nutrition regime. There is little loss of muscle mass and a utilization of lipids.

An OMEGA-3 fatty acid supplement can also be very beneficial to a horse that is dieting.  Equi-Bloom is a highly stable, flavored OMEGA-3 fatty acid supplement for horses.  It improves hair coat and body condition, and includes vitamin A, vitamin E, selenium, and zinc to replace any deficiencies in the diet.

Related posts:

1. Equine Insulin Resistance
2. Equine Laminitis
3. Equine Cushing’s Disease

This stance is typical of a horse who is suffering from laminitis. The rear legs are positioned forward to relieve stress on the front hooves.

What is Laminitis?

Laminitis is a condition of the foot that can become very painful in horses.  It is when the coffin bone and the inner hoof wall begin to separate from each other.  The coffin bone is attached to the hoof wall by two interlocking layers of connecting tissues called laminae.  If the tissues for whatever reason get inflamed or the blood supply is disturbed then the attachment between the laminae will fail and the hoof wall will become separated from the rest of the foot.  Once this separation occurs, the coffin bone will often rotate within the foot.  This is due to a combination of the tension of the deep digital flexor tendon and the weight of the horse.  This separation of the coffin bone from the hoof wall and the possible subsequent rotation of the coffin bone will result in varying degrees of change, the worst case scenario involves the coffin bone rotating so much that the tip of the bone penetrates the sole of the foot.

Signs of Laminitis

There are numerous signs of Laminitis in horses.  Usually there will be an increased temperature of the wall, sole, and/or coronary band of the foot.  Pus may leak out at the coronary band or at the white line. Horses may have anxiety or visible trembling. A pounding pulse in the digital palmar artery can occur, which may be undetectable in a cold horse but will be more obvious after hard exercise.  Horses with Laminitis will often walk very tenderly, “easing” on the affected feet.  Horses experiencing pain will attempt to decrease the weight load on the affected feet by standing in an awkward stance.  Often to reduce the weight of the front hooves they will position their hindlegs underneath their body and move their forelegs forward.  Horses may have a tendency to lie down whenever possible, and if extreme to remain lying down.

Causes of Laminitis

There are many causes of Horse Laminitis that have been identified.  The most common cause is the sudden and excessive ingestion of non-structural carbohydrates (i.e. sugars and starches).  This is where a horse eats too much grain or lush grass and cannot digest all of the carbohydrates.  Obese and overweight horses with minimal exercise are very susceptible to Equine Laminitis.  Laminitis has also been linked to toxic conditions such as retained placenta or salmonella enteritis.  Cushing’s Disease is now believed to have a major role in Equine Laminitis.  Laminitis can develop in a good limb if it is subject to excessive weight bearing due to severe lameness in the other.  There have also been reports of Laminitis following the administration of some drugs, especially corticosteroids.

If you suspect Laminitis, what should you do?

If you suspect that your horse has Laminitis it is very important to respond quickly.  Early signs of Equine Laminitis can quickly and easily escalate to serious conditions.  You should contact your veterinarian immediately.  Place your horse in a stable with a deep bed to provide extra cushion to the feet.  It is not recommended to walk the horse because you can risk doing further damage, since the laminae are fragile and torn.

Your vet will then assess the situation and determine if any immediate treatment is required.  Laminitis is a very painful condition and so the vet will usually initially focus on pain relief.  Drugs may also be administered to improve the circulation to the feet.  Radiographs may be taken to determine if any rotation has occurred, and special shoes may be applied to support the foot.

Recovery from Laminitis is a slow process and will take months rather than days.  Therefore it is very important to have patience and provide diligent aftercare during the treatment.  Even after a recovery, some horses may be prone to future laminitic episodes, therefore it is important to continue preventive measures.  If the case is very severe euthanasia may be the only option.

When can the horse be ridden again?

A majority of horses that have been diagnosed and treated for Equine Laminitis will be able to be ridden again.  The length of time until this is possible is dependent on the severity of the condition.  If there is any rotation at all the damaged areas will take at least eight months to grow out.  If there is no rotation then correction of the predisposing factors and a few months rest should be considered.  Your vet should ultimately determine when it is safe for you to start riding again.  Because of the susceptibility to future reoccurrences of Equine Laminitis it is important to keep an eye out and if any signs appear you should stop riding until you consult your vet.

How can you prevent Laminitis?

In overweight horses it is very important to practice weight control.  Make sure feed sheds are securely closed and restrict access to lush pastures.  It is also very important to ride your horse daily.  If the hoof quality is poor nutritional supplements such as biotin supplements should be given and regular visits from your farrier are encouraged to maintain a well-balanced foot.

Natural options for Lamintis

Current research shows that horses afficted with Laminitis benefit from diets high in OMEGA-3 fatty acids.  One of the best ways to ensure your horse is receiving enough OMEGA-3 fatty acids is through dietary supplements.  Equi-Bloom is a highly stable, flavored OMEGA-3 fatty acid supplement for horses.  Additionally, vitamin A, vitamin E, selenium, and zinc are included in Equi-Bloom to replace any deficiencies in the diet.

If your horse is overweight and needs to be on a weight loss diet.  It can be important to introduce an adaptogen supplement into the diet.  Adaptogens are substances that are safe for long term use with few side effects, do not create physiological changes in physical parameters and increase the animal’s ability to adapt to a variety of stresses.  APF Plus is a herbal supplement made up of a combination of 5 adaptogens.  In addition APF Plus has an anticatabolic effect in that it conserves skeletal muscle even when the subject is on a weight loss nutrition regime. There is little loss of muscle mass and a utilization of lipids.

Related posts:

1. Equine Insulin Resistance
2. Equine Cushing’s Disease
3. Equine Obesity

What is Cushing’s Disease?

A horse with a lengthy coat of hair, a common symptom of equine Cushing's disease.

Equine Cushing’s Disease is one of the most common hormonal disorders that occurs in horses. It is normally due to a tumor, or an increase of cells in the region of the pituitary gland. The tumor or increased number of cells results in the increased production of the stress hormone Cortisol, or mimicking cortisol-like compounds by the adrenal glands which are located near the horses’ kidneys.

Signs of Cushing’s Disease

The most common sign of Cushing’s Disease in horses can be detected from the horse’s haircoat. Anything from abnormal shedding to a wavy coat length can be a sign of Cushing’s Disease. A common sign is a horse that fails to shed in the summer compiling a lengthy coat of hair. Increased urination is also a common sign as Cushing’s may cause a horse to surpass the normal 5-8 gallons of water which is the common amount consumed by horses daily. Loss of muscle and the appearance of a pot belly are also occasional signs of the development of the Cushing’s Disease in horses, as well as chronic or relapsing Laminitis. Although not restricted to older horses, Cushing’s Disease is most commonly found in aging horses.

Causes of Cushing’s Disease

The pituitary gland is located near the base of the brain and is often referred to as the “master gland” because it controls the body’s hormonal system. It is most commonly believed that the cause of Equine Cushing’s Disease is the development of a tumor in the pituitary gland which causes the adrenal glands near the kidneys of horses to produce too much of the stress hormone known as Cortisol. The normal functions of Cortisol in a horse range from regulating blood pressure, heart function, and metabolism to regulating muscle tone and helping the body respond to stress. The overproduction of Cortisol is what causes the Equine Cushing’s Disease and its toll on horses.

Dangers of Cushing’s Disease

If not managed properly, horses with the disorder may expect to live between 5-7 years. Failure to manage the disorder according to proper conduct can result in a dramatic decrease of life expectancy. It is also possible that if the tumor increases greatly in size, the horse may become blind.

Treatment/Proper Management of Equine Cushing’s Disease

Although there is no cure for Cushing’s Disease in horses, prescription treatments such as pergolyde mesylate and trilostane aim to decrease Cushing’s severity by decreasing the overproduction of hormones. It is very important to make regular veterinary appointments for the affected horse. In addition it is essential to ensure a properly balanced diet, especially considering that some horses with Cushing’s Disease are Insulin Resistant and susceptible to reoccurring Laminitis.

Natural options for Cushing’s Disease

Researchers at Texas A & M discovered reining horses fed a diet high in OMEGA-3 fatty acids had decreased inflammatory responses including decreased Cortisol concentrations following exercise.  Other researchers have concluded horses afflicted with arthritis, laminitis, colic and enteritis benefit from diets high in OMEGA-3 fatty acids.  Equi-Bloom is a highly stable, flavored OMEGA-3 fatty acid supplement for horses.  Additionally, vitamin A, vitamin E, selenium, and zinc are included in Equi-Bloom to replace any deficiencies in the diet.

Approximately 80% of Cushing’s cases have a low total thyroxine (TT4).  It is imperative that its value be within the normal range for other treatments to be effective.  Equithrox is a palatable, readily consumed equine thyroid supplement.  Many veterinarians prefer Equithrox thyroid supplement as a source of Lthyroxine sodium due to its apple and molasses flavored base.  Competing products are not flavored and therefore less likely to be consumed by the horse.

Metaboleeze is an ideal supplement for horses with Cushing’s Syndrome.  Horses afflicted with Cushing’s Syndrome often develop glucose intolerance and therefore have difficulty processing sugars and starches found in typical feeds.  Metaboleeze helps Cushing’s horses by lowering circulating levels of insulin, thereby improving insulin sensitivity.  When used in conjunction with typical therapies (pergolide or cyproheptadine), evidence suggests that Metaboleeze corrects Insulin Resistance more rapidly.

Related posts:

1. Equine Insulin Resistance
2. Equine Laminitis
3. Equine Obesity