Glucose and Insulin Responses to an Intravenous Glucose Load in Thoroughbred and Paso Fino Horses.

This research article explores how certain breeds of horses may be genetically predisposed to insulin dysregulation, a condition that affects the body’s insulin levels and can lead to further health complications. The study specifically compares the glucose and insulin responses in Thoroughbred and Paso Fino horses, and suggests that Paso Fino horses are more prone to this dysregulation, especially if they are overweight.

Research Methodology

• The researchers conducted intravenous glucose tolerance tests on a sample of 38 horses. This included 14 moderate-weight Thoroughbreds, 12 moderate-weight Paso Finos, and 12 overweight Paso Finos.
• The test measures how quickly glucose is cleared from the blood and is a common methodology to study insulin dysregulation.
• The researchers compared a variety of key indicators across the sample including baseline serum insulin concentrations, insulin-to-glucose ratio, and area under the insulin to glucose curve.

Findings

• The study found that moderate Paso Finos had higher baseline serum insulin concentrations and more exaggerated insulin responses to glucose loads than moderate-weight Thoroughbreds.
• Additionally, overweight Paso Finos demonstrated even higher insulin concentrations and exaggerated responses to glucose compared with moderate Paso Finos.
• The glucose-to-insulin ratio and RISQI (reciprocal inverse square of basal insulin), which assess the body’s insulin sensitivity, were lower in Paso Finos compared to Thoroughbreds. This indicated a greater level of insulin resistance in Paso Finos.

Conclusions

• The research concludes that Paso Finos, especially overweight ones, are more prone to insulin dysregulation than Thoroughbreds. This supports the original hypothesis of the study.
• This finding has implications for the health and care of Paso Fino horses, indicating a need for specific dietary management and monitoring to counter this predisposition and prevent complications such as endocrinopathic laminitis – a painful and potentially debilitating foot condition.