Most horsey people love to see that apple-bottom horse in the field, all fat and shiny, and many live with the misguided notion that this is happy, healthy horse. A few extra pounds, or a body condition point or two cannot be that bad...right? WRONG...so VERY wrong. The consequences of horses being overweight are numerous, here are a few of the more important ones: 1) Exercise intolerance - people often ask what they can feed to give their horses more energy....overweight horses already have more energy...too much energy! They need to use that energy to become fitter, i.e. exercise! Think about how you feel when youve been laying around on the sofa, eating junk...the last thing you feel is energetic. 2) Altered thermoregulation, i.e. the horse cannot control his body temperature as well. As horses cope much better with the cold than they do the heat, this is a particular concern for horses that live in warmer climates. 3) Increases risk of abdominal lipomas, or fatty tumours, that can cause colic and result in death. 4) The development or worsening of insulin resistance (IR). Insulin is a hormone that is responsible for lowering blood sugar (glucose) levels that circulate in the blood stream. When insulin resistance develops, the cells become less sensitive to the effects of insulin. As a result of IR, the horses blood sugar levels go unchecked and lead to issues such as Laminitis, Cushings, bone disorders, and elevated fat levels in the bloodstream. There a many factors involved in the development of IR: genetic disposition, diets high in starches and sugars (Non-Structural Carbohydrates), lack of exercise or Freedom, lack of forage variety, and being overweight....many of these we must take control of before its too late.... ....and with an overweight horse, it can be too late...very, very easily.
Posted on: Sat, 07 Jun 2014 10:30:00 +0000
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