lilaclomax
Well-Known Member
I was at the Royal Veterinary College talk on Laminitis, Equine Metabolic Syndrome and weight control last night, here are some of my notes, I will add the rest later...
Introduction
In their natural environment horses naturally gain weight in the summer and drop weight off in the winter, sometimes to a significant degree.
Summer is used for laying down fat reserves, winter sees these fat reserves being broken down as and when needed, come spring the fat is all burned off and the yo-yo diet starts again.
As we have created a new environment for horses we need to manage their diet as best as we can, which means either mimicking the natural way or ensuring that the weight is maintained at a constant level all year around.
To maintain a constant weight the pony needs to be either in an ideal condition of just under (2.7-3 on the fat score).
If your pony is kept at a the same weight when overweight then insulin and hormonal problems will occur.
Obesity
In the South East (independent veterinary study) 16% of horses and 83% of ponies are either overweight or obese.
Just the same as obese humans, cats, dogs there are many problems.
Mare irregular cycles, hormone issues and fertility problems.
Mesenteric lipomas may strangulate = colic and most likely surgery will be required.
Fat produces hormones (Tumor necrosis factor-alpha), these suppress the actions of insulin, therefore the body needs to try to produce more insulin and the body also produces cortisol which supresses the immune system, increase blood sugar and can trigger laminitis.
Fat hormones also cause inflammation in the body.
In studies (overfed horses) the insulin is reduced by 70% and the pancreas has to work up to 400% more to supply enough insulin.
In humans the fat that is the main source of the adverse hormones is stored in our abdominal area, in the horse the fat is stored in the nuchal area (crest).
Obesity can caused Hyperlipidemia metabolic system stress caused by external occurrences or the horse stops eating, the fat stores break down too quickly and the body reacts by putting the excess fat into the organs (liver/kidneys) which in turn causes organ failure.
Obesity can affect the growth development in young animals.
One known condition is laminitis caused by the restricition of insulin.
Laminitis
Still a unknown condition, many parts of the puzzle are known but veterinarians still do not know the whole picture.
Insulin resistance and obesity both play a part in a laminitic attack.
Possibly problems with the insulin signalling and the fat hormones which affect the blood vessels to the feet.
When you are having problems with your insulin levels your white blood cells and platelets stick to the vessel walls more readily, constricting the blood supply.
Inflammatory mediators also cause the breakdown of the epithelial cells (part of the laminae).
83% of equines presented to vets with laminitis symptoms are class as overweight or obese.
7.4% equine deaths last year related to laminitis
Read more: http://ihdg.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=gh11&action=display&thread=113821#ixzz1IqIguZpu
Introduction
In their natural environment horses naturally gain weight in the summer and drop weight off in the winter, sometimes to a significant degree.
Summer is used for laying down fat reserves, winter sees these fat reserves being broken down as and when needed, come spring the fat is all burned off and the yo-yo diet starts again.
As we have created a new environment for horses we need to manage their diet as best as we can, which means either mimicking the natural way or ensuring that the weight is maintained at a constant level all year around.
To maintain a constant weight the pony needs to be either in an ideal condition of just under (2.7-3 on the fat score).
If your pony is kept at a the same weight when overweight then insulin and hormonal problems will occur.
Obesity
In the South East (independent veterinary study) 16% of horses and 83% of ponies are either overweight or obese.
Just the same as obese humans, cats, dogs there are many problems.
Mare irregular cycles, hormone issues and fertility problems.
Mesenteric lipomas may strangulate = colic and most likely surgery will be required.
Fat produces hormones (Tumor necrosis factor-alpha), these suppress the actions of insulin, therefore the body needs to try to produce more insulin and the body also produces cortisol which supresses the immune system, increase blood sugar and can trigger laminitis.
Fat hormones also cause inflammation in the body.
In studies (overfed horses) the insulin is reduced by 70% and the pancreas has to work up to 400% more to supply enough insulin.
In humans the fat that is the main source of the adverse hormones is stored in our abdominal area, in the horse the fat is stored in the nuchal area (crest).
Obesity can caused Hyperlipidemia metabolic system stress caused by external occurrences or the horse stops eating, the fat stores break down too quickly and the body reacts by putting the excess fat into the organs (liver/kidneys) which in turn causes organ failure.
Obesity can affect the growth development in young animals.
One known condition is laminitis caused by the restricition of insulin.
Laminitis
Still a unknown condition, many parts of the puzzle are known but veterinarians still do not know the whole picture.
Insulin resistance and obesity both play a part in a laminitic attack.
Possibly problems with the insulin signalling and the fat hormones which affect the blood vessels to the feet.
When you are having problems with your insulin levels your white blood cells and platelets stick to the vessel walls more readily, constricting the blood supply.
Inflammatory mediators also cause the breakdown of the epithelial cells (part of the laminae).
83% of equines presented to vets with laminitis symptoms are class as overweight or obese.
7.4% equine deaths last year related to laminitis
Read more: http://ihdg.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=gh11&action=display&thread=113821#ixzz1IqIguZpu
