I recently wrote this article for a breif equine edition in the paper.  I thought I would include it in my blog…although it a little long.

Current Research in Metabolic Syndrome

After recently attending a research conference in Kentucky, it has becoming apparent that one of the fastest growing ailments in our equine friends is Metabolic Syndrome.   Although there are still many unknown factors involved in these conditions, the one thing that is certain is they begin with an over weight body condition.

Although most horse owners understand what a body condition score is and where their horse should be on that scale, achieving a health score is not as easy as knowing it.  So, the first goal to preventing and decreasing the severity of Metabolic Syndrome is having your horse in a healthy body condition.  Table and descriptions on measuring your horses score can be found online.  One of the best I have found is on the OMAFRA website. 

How does Obesity Contribute to Metabolic Syndrome?

Originally it was recommended that you put your horse on a low starch diet to prevent or decrease severity of these conditions.   In doing this, owners were decreasing the amount of glucose (from starch) circulating in the blood stream.  Increased levels of starch contribute to laminitis, quite often a tell-tale sign that your horse has the onset of MS or CD.

In a healthy horse, when a starchy diet is consumed, there is an increased level of glucose in the blood.  This triggers the release of insulin from the pancreas, which triggers glucose uptake by the skeletal muscle and fat cells.  Once in the cells, the glucose will be used during exercise, growth, or stored as glycogen or fat.

In an animal with metabolic syndrome, the increased level of glucose in the blood triggers the insulin release from the pancreas, however the receptors for glucose uptake become insensitive to the insulin, resulting in increased levels of glucose circulating in the blood.

In an animal affected by Metabolic syndrome, it appears as thought certain adipose (fat) cells convert the inactive form of cortisol to the active form or cortisol.  Cortisol acts in shutting down insulin receptors on uptake cells, and the message never reaches the cell to uptake glucose.  This results in increased levels of insulin remaining in the blood, circulating throughout the body.

 It is believed that this excess of glucose left circulating in the blood can be the root cause of obesity associated laminitis.  It is the result of changed circulation to the laminae, the interconnected layers of tissue that insure the integrity of the hoof.

How to Best Prevent Metabolic Syndrome

Overweight horses actually respond to weight reduction as a means of increasing insulin sensitivity (cells responding to insulin in the blood triggering the uptake of glucose).  So, your best method of action in decreasing risk is to have your horse in an optimal, not maximal, body condition.  Horses become overweight because they consume more calories than they are using in exercise.  In this circumstance, good quality grass pasture or hay and a complet fortified vitamin and mineral supplement may be all they require.  It is best to consult your equine nutritionist to develop a feeding program specific for your horse and their activity level to ensure optimal performance and maintain body condition.

Horses diagnosed with metabolic syndrome  should not have grain, or rations made with molasses.  As well, their exposure to pasture should be limited.  A balancer pellet can be given to these horses to provide essential vitamins and minerals, while leaving out the starch component of the diet.   If the horse is in need of additional energy, use non-starch alternatives such as rice bran or soy oil.

Above all, in overweight horses, exercise is the most important factor in reducing fat depositions.  Exercise can range from longeing, hand walking, round pen work, riding and driving.  Not only does this increase over all health, it has also been shown that an increase in activity increases insulin sensitivity.

The main goal is to reduce chances of Metabolic Syndrome risk and the best way to achieve that is to keep a close eye on body condition, feed for activity level and metabolic rate, and have an organized exercise schedule.  If in doubt, consult your nutritionist for an experienced opinion.

Tags: Metabolic Syndrome - Your horses nutritional health, Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome - the connected risks