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More than 50% of horses and 72% of ponies are overweight. This one-minute read explains why equine obesity is rising and how small feeding changes can protect long-term health.
Why Many Horse Owners Underestimate Their Horse’s Body Condition Accurately assessing body condition is one of the most powerful tools we have for protecting equine health—but many owners unknowingly underestimate how overweight their horses really are. Research by Carter et...
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Understanding Type 2 Diabetes in Horses: Insulin Dysregulation Explained Horse owners sometimes ask whether horses can develop “type 2 diabetes.” While true, overt diabetes mellitus is rare in horses, they commonly develop a related condition called insulin dysregulation, often as...
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Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS) is a growing concern in horse health, linked to insulin dysregulation, obesity, and laminitis. Modern feeding practices, genetics, and environmental factors are driving an increase in EMS cases. Learn how to recognize symptoms, identify at-risk horses, and implement diet and exercise strategies to manage and prevent EMS for a healthier, happier horse.
Understanding equine metabolic disorders and their associated terminology can be challenging due to the evolving nature of research in the field. Terms like "insulin resistance (IR)," "hyperinsulinemia," "equine metabolic syndrome (EMS)," and "insulin dysregulation (ID)" are often used interchangeably, leading to confusion about diagnosis and treatment. Here, we provide clarity on these terms and their distinctions to facilitate better management strategies for affected horses.
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