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Life (Basel, Switzerland)2025; 15(11); 1721; doi: 10.3390/life15111721

Forage Carbohydrate Profiles and Endocrine Morphometric Interactions in Traditionally Managed Horses from Romania.

Abstract: Horses maintained under traditional management systems and dependent on natural forages are often exposed to seasonal and compositional variations that can affect metabolic homeostasis. This study examined associations between forage nutrient composition and metabolic-morphometric indicators in horses from four agroecologically distinct regions of northwestern Romania. Eighty-eight horses managed under semi-extensive rural conditions underwent clinical examination, body condition scoring (BCS), cresty neck scoring (CNS), and fasting blood sampling. Forage samples ( = 34) from daily rations were analyzed for fermentable carbohydrate content, while serum insulin, leptin, and adiponectin were quantified using validated equine-specific ELISA assays. Forage composition varied substantially among regions, influencing both endocrine and morphometric outcomes. Horses consuming carbohydrate-rich forages exhibited higher insulin (0.95-219 μIU/mL) and leptin concentrations (925-28,190 pg/mL), accompanied by elevated BCS and CNS scores, whereas adiponectin levels tended to decrease with increasing carbohydrate content. These findings demonstrate that naturally occurring variation in forage quality can significantly influence metabolic regulation in horses managed under low-input, traditional systems. Integrating forage nutrient evaluation with clinical and endocrine assessments provides a practical framework for identifying animals at risk of metabolic dysfunction and guiding nutritional strategies to mitigate the incidence of laminitis and related disorders.
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Publication Date: 2025-11-06 PubMed ID: 41302145PubMed Central: PMC12653405DOI: 10.3390/life15111721Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

Overview

  • This study investigated how variations in the natural forage diets of traditionally managed horses in Romania are linked to their metabolic health and body condition.
  • The research identified relationships between the carbohydrate content of forage and key metabolic hormones and body condition indicators in these horses.

Research Context and Objectives

  • Horses traditionally managed in rural environments rely on natural forages, which vary seasonally and regionally in nutrient composition.
  • Such variations can impact the horses’ metabolic balance and overall health.
  • The goal was to explore how differences in forage carbohydrate profiles relate to metabolic hormones and body condition metrics in horses from four distinct agroecological regions in northwestern Romania.

Methodology

  • Study Population: 88 horses managed under semi-extensive rural conditions across four agroecological areas.
  • Clinical Evaluations:
    • Body Condition Scoring (BCS) to assess general fatness or body reserves.
    • Cresty Neck Scoring (CNS) to specifically evaluate fat accumulation along the neck, an important marker linked with metabolic health risks.
    • Fasting blood samples collected to measure metabolic hormone concentrations.
  • Forage Sampling:
    • 34 forage samples collected from daily rations provided to the horses.
    • Analyzed for fermentable carbohydrate content to quantify the nutritive carbohydrate profile.
  • Hormonal Analysis:
    • Serum insulin, leptin, and adiponectin levels measured using equine-specific ELISA assays validated for accuracy.
    • These hormones provide insights into metabolic regulation, energy balance, and fat metabolism.

Key Findings

  • Strong regional variation was found in forage carbohydrate content, reflecting agroecological differences.
  • Horses eating high-carbohydrate forages exhibited:
    • Elevated insulin levels, spanning a wide range, indicating potential insulin resistance or increased metabolic demand.
    • Greater concentrations of leptin, a hormone secreted by fat tissue that is involved in appetite regulation and energy expenditure.
    • Higher body condition and cresty neck scores, implying increased fat deposition, particularly in neck fat, which is linked to metabolic dysfunction risk.
  • Conversely, adiponectin — a hormone that typically promotes insulin sensitivity and anti-inflammatory effects — tended to decrease as carbohydrate content increased, suggesting impaired metabolic function with richer forage diets.

Conclusions and Implications

  • The study confirms that natural variability in forage carbohydrate quality has a significant impact on metabolic hormones and body fat distribution in traditionally managed horses.
  • Endocrine and morphometric indices such as insulin, leptin, BCS, and CNS serve as effective markers of metabolic health influenced by diet in these settings.
  • Integrating forage nutrient analysis with clinical and hormonal assessment provides a practical approach to identifying horses at risk for metabolic disorders like laminitis.
  • This knowledge can inform targeted nutritional management strategies aimed at minimizing metabolic disease incidence under low-input, traditional horse management systems.

Significance for Horse Management and Animal Health

  • Provides evidence supporting the need for seasonally and regionally tailored dietary management in traditionally managed horses.
  • Highlights the importance of monitoring metabolic hormones alongside body condition scores to detect early signs of metabolic imbalance.
  • Supports the use of forage composition analysis as an integral part of equine health assessment to optimize nutrition and prevent metabolic diseases.
  • Encourages further research and implementation of low-cost, practical diagnostic tools in rural and traditional horse-keeping systems globally.

Cite This Article

APA
(2025). Forage Carbohydrate Profiles and Endocrine Morphometric Interactions in Traditionally Managed Horses from Romania. Life (Basel), 15(11), 1721. https://doi.org/10.3390/life15111721

Publication

Life (Basel, Switzerland)
ISSN: 2075-1729
NlmUniqueID: 101580444
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 15
Issue: 11
PII: 1721

Researcher Affiliations

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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