Equine metabolic syndrome

Abstract: Obese horses with insulin resistance are often also afflicted with laminitis. Horses with these symptoms are given the diagnosis equine metabolic syndrome (EMS). Signs of insulin resistance are excessive accumulation of adipose tissue on the neck, around the withers and on the dorsal area of the hindquarters. Insulin resistance means that the function of insulin is defective and does not stimulate glucose uptake by the cells in the body in the correct way. This will result in an increased insulin release. Obese horses with a reduced sensitivity of the target cells of insulin have high concentrations of insulin and triglycerides in the blood. Much indicates that a high insulin concentration in the blood is a contributive factor for the development of laminitis. Injections of insulin in the blood have triggered laminitis in healthy horses. There are different methods to measure insulin sensitivity and effectiveness of glucose uptake in the cells. The "Minimal model" is a unique method that gives the most detailed assessment of glucose and insulin dynamics. Horses with EMS should have a feed ration with a low content of non-structural carbohydrates. This results in a lower glucose intake and insulin release, which prevents further loss of insulin sensitivity.