Equine Insulin Resistance

Insulin is a hormone produced by special cells within the pancreas in order to do many important jobs, one of which is the transportation of glucose from the bloodstream into each individual cell.

When foods high in glucose enter the body, more insulin must be released. Insulin resistance (IR) is a condition where the cells of the body no longer respond to the hormone, causing many serious health problems.

There are several causes of this condition, such as genetics, obesity, lack of exercise, and a poor diet to name a few.

Equine Insulin Resistance sometimes occurs because of the domestic life of many horses, which involves consuming food high in starch and sugar, but a lack of exercise in order to burn off the extra energy.

Symptoms of Equine Insulin Resistance

Equine insulin Resistance can cause several symptoms such as:

• unusual fat deposits
• excessive drinking and urinating
• loss of muscle mass
• laminitis

Laminitis is a disease that affects the hooves of the horse, causing inflammation and lameness.

Testing for blood insulin and glucose levels is a simple way to diagnose a horse with IR. Once diagnosed, several steps must be taken in order to manage this condition.

Treatments for Equine IR

The most obvious change that needs to be implemented is an improvement in diet. Feeding the horse hay that is low in starch and sugar can help prevent laminitis. One trick to make the hay healthier is to soak it in water for a period of time.

Another important change is cutting down the amount of fat the horse consumes; therefore, food rich in fat such as oils and rice bran are not helpful.  Specific vitamins and minerals, such as magnesium, can benefit a horse with insulin resistance.

Mad Barn’s AminoTrace+ mineral and vitamin supplement has been specifically formulated to meet the needs of insulin-resistant horses.

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• Complete mineral balance
• Supports metabolic health
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• Promote hoof & coat growth

Equine Management

Although not all horses with IR are obese, most usually gain weight, so an increase in exercise is very important for the affected horse. Staying active can help manage the amount of glucose in the horse’s blood and as a result, decrease insulin production.

Physical activity cannot be ignored when dealing with insulin resistance; it must be combined with a diet change to help improve the horse’s condition.

Lastly, because laminitis is a serious threat linked to equine insulin resistance, the horse’s hooves must be given proper attention in order to prevent this disease.

Equine insulin resistance is a serious condition that is connected with Cushing’s disease and laminitis that must be managed thoroughly and carefully.

Nevertheless, with a balanced diet and a healthy amount of exercise, horses with insulin resistance can live a normal life, and owners with unaffected horses can be encouraged to maintain a healthy lifestyle for their horse, regardless of the presence of this disease.