Equine Metabolic Syndrome and Insulin Resistance in the Horse – Keeping up with Evolution Is it as simple as spinning sugar into fat?

Horses are relatively free of many of the health concerns that afflict people. They don‟t tend to develop high cholesterol, heart disease, or various other ailments common in our human population. However, one by-product of modern the equine lifestyle for many of our horsey friends is their tendency to put on extra weight. Nowadays, fat horses are an all-too-common sight in fields and stalls around the country. The odd thing is that many of us don‟t see that as a problem. Of course, a horse‟s ideal weight depends on many factors, ranging from body type and disciple to activity level. In some breeds and disciplines the fuller look provided by fat deposits along the hindquarters, neck, and withers is considered desirable. Subconsciously many people equate equine plumpness with good health. Unfortunately, sometimes what we like isn‟t necessarily what‟s best for our horses. Excessive weight can take a toll on soundness, performance, and overall good health, even shortening a horse‟s life. In horses as with people, obesity increases the risk of several serious health problems. Obviously a fat horse is likely to have exercise intolerance breathing heavy, sweating intensely, and tiring rapidly in response to exertion. More subtle is the toll extra weight can take on tendons, ligaments, and joints. Soft tissue strains are always a risk. Joints that may already be compromised by arthritis are vulnerable to the ill-effects of a heavy load. Obesity also has systemic effects. One of the most serious is insulin resistance (IR), a condition similar to adult onset (type-2) diabetes in people.