FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 9000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Home / Equine Research Bank / Equine Vet J / Obesity and obesity-associated metabolic disease conditions ...
Equine veterinary journal2023; 56(2); 273-280; doi: 10.1111/evj.14029

Obesity and obesity-associated metabolic disease conditions in Connemara ponies in Ireland.

Abstract: Equine obesity combined with insulin dysregulation (ID) is a major risk factor associated with laminitis. Some pony breeds appear to be at increased risk. However, little is known regarding the prevalence of obesity or hyperinsulinaemia as evidence of ID in Irish ponies. Objective: To investigate the prevalence of obesity and associated endocrine/metabolic disease conditions in Connemara ponies and to determine if hyperinsulinaemia in these ponies could be predicted by morphometric or metabolic markers. Methods: Cross-sectional study. Methods: The study population included registered Connemara ponies recruited through public and veterinary social media posts. Ponies underwent a physical examination and information on their management and clinical history was obtained via owner questionnaire. The body condition score (BCS) was measured using the Henneke system; cresty neck score (CNS) and regionalised adiposity were also assessed. Hyperinsulinaemia was confirmed by measuring serum basal insulin concentration (BIC) or insulin concentration after an oral sugar test (OST). Blood glucose and triglyceride concentrations were measured. Characteristics of hyperinsulinaemic and insulin-sensitive ponies were compared by logistic regression. Results: Two hundred ponies were included; 59 ponies (29.5%) had a BCS ≥7, 58 (29.0%) had a CNS ≥2.5 and 135 (67.5%) had regionalised adiposity; 137 (68.5%) ponies had at least one of these abnormalities. Owner-reported history or clinical evidence of chronic laminitis was found in 92 ponies (46.0%). Hyperinsulinaemia was confirmed in 32 ponies (16.0%), including 23 of 91 (25.3%) detected by OST and 9 of 109 (8.3%) by BIC. Hypertriglyceridaemia was observed in 12 of 198 ponies (6.1%) ponies and hyperglycaemia in 11 of 197 ponies (5.6%) ponies. The odds of hyperinsulinaemia increased by a factor of 6.53 (95% confidence interval: 2.95, 15.21) when BCS was ≥7. Conclusions: The OST was not performed in all ponies. Conclusions: Increased adiposity, laminitis and metabolic derangements are prevalent in this native Irish pony breed.
© 2023 The Authors. Equine Veterinary Journal published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of EVJ Ltd.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2023-11-20 PubMed ID: 37985219DOI: 10.1111/evj.14029Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
LinkedInCopy
  • Journal Article

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.

The research study explores the prevalence of obesity and related metabolic disorders in Connemara ponies in Ireland. The researchers also aimed to determine whether hyperinsulinemia (a condition characterized by an excessive amount of insulin in the blood) in these ponies could be predicted by morphometric (measurements and proportions of the body) or metabolic markers.

Methodology

  • The team conducted a cross-sectional study on Connemara ponies. These ponies were voluntarily registered for the research through public and veterinary social media posts.
  • Each participatory pony underwent a physical examination. Health and management-related information was obtained from the pony owners through a questionnaire.
  • Body condition score (BCS), cresty neck score (CNS), and regionalised adiposity were evaluated. BCS was measured using the widely recognized Henneke system which involves palpating and visually assessing specific areas of a horse’s body to determine its physical condition or fat cover.
  • Blood tests were conducted to evaluate basal insulin concentration (BIC) or insulin concentration after an oral sugar test (OST). Additionally, blood glucose and triglyceride concentrations were measured to understand the metabolic state of the ponies.

Results

  • A total of 200 ponies were included in the study. Among them, 29.5% had a BCS of 7 or more which indicates an obese or overweight condition. 29% had a CNS of 2.5 or more, and 67.5% showed regionalised adiposity – these are all markers of obesity.
  • 68.5% of the ponies had at least one of these obesity-related abnormalities.
  • Owners of 46% of the studied ponies reported a history or clinical evidence of chronic laminitis, a painful and potentially crippling disease that can be a consequence of obesity in equines.
  • Hyperinsulinaemia was confirmed in 16.0% of the ponies. Of these, 25.3% were detected by OST and 8.3% by BIC, indicating pre-existing insulin regulation issues associated with obesity.
  • Hypertriglyceridaemia was observed in 6.1% of the ponies and hyperglycaemia in 5.6% of the ponies – these indicate lipid and glucose metabolic derangements commonly associated with obesity.
  • The researchers found that the odds of hyperinsulinaemia increased by a factor of 6.53 when the BCS was 7 or more, hence, the BCS could be a significant predictor for insulin dysregulation in ponies.

Conclusion

The study concluded that increased adiposity, chronic laminitis and metabolic disruptions are prevalent in the native Irish Connemara pony breed. This research provides useful insight into equine obesity and its metabolic complications, and emphasizes the importance of maintaining a healthy weight and diet in ponies to prevent the onset of these conditions.

Cite This Article

APA
Al-Ansari AS, Golding E, Walshe N, Mooney CT, Duggan V. (2023). Obesity and obesity-associated metabolic disease conditions in Connemara ponies in Ireland. Equine Vet J, 56(2), 273-280. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.14029

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 56
Issue: 2
Pages: 273-280

Researcher Affiliations

Al-Ansari, Ahmed Saleh
  • School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
Golding, Emma
  • School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
Walshe, Nicola
  • School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
Mooney, Carmel T
  • School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
Duggan, Vivienne
  • School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.

MeSH Terms

  • Humans
  • Horses
  • Animals
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Ireland / epidemiology
  • Obesity / epidemiology
  • Obesity / veterinary
  • Obesity / complications
  • Hyperinsulinism / complications
  • Hyperinsulinism / epidemiology
  • Hyperinsulinism / veterinary
  • Insulin / metabolism
  • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
  • Horse Diseases / etiology

Grant Funding

  • Sultan Qaboos University

References

This article includes 38 references
  1. Imes CC, Burke LE. The obesity epidemic: the USA as a cautionary tale for the rest of the world.. Curr Epidemiol Rep 2014;1:82-88.
  2. Guh DP, Zhang W, Bansback N, Amarsi Z, Birmingham CL, Anis AH. The incidence of co-morbidities related to obesity and overweight: a systematic review and meta-analysis.. BMC Public Health 2009;9:88.
  3. Durham AE, Frank N, McGowan CM, Menzies-Gow NJ, Roelfsema E, Vervuert I. ECEIM consensus statement on equine metabolic syndrome.. J Vet Intern Med 2019;33(2):335-349.
  4. Eades S, Fugler LA, Mitchell C. The management of equine acute laminitis.. Vet Med 2015;6:39-47.
  5. Grenager NS. Endocrinopathic laminitis.. Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract 2021;37(3):619-638.
    doi: 10.1016/j.cveq.2021.08.001google scholar: lookup
  6. de Laat MA, Fitzgerald DM. Equine metabolic syndrome: role of the enteroinsular axis in the insulin response to oral carbohydrate.. Vet J 2023;294:105967.
    doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2023.105967google scholar: lookup
  7. Carslake HB, Pinchbeck GL, McGowan CM. Equine metabolic syndrome in UK native ponies and cobs is highly prevalent with modifiable risk factors.. Equine Vet J 2021;53(5):923-934.
    doi: 10.1111/evj.13378google scholar: lookup
  8. Jensen RB, Danielsen SH, Tauson AH. Body condition score, morphometric measurements and estimation of body weight in mature Icelandic horses in Denmark.. Acta Vet Scand 2016;58:59.
  9. Stephenson HM, Green MJ, Freeman SL. Prevalence of obesity in a population of horses in the UK.. Vet Rec 2011;168(5):131.
    doi: 10.1136/vr.c6281google scholar: lookup
  10. Potter SJ, Bamford NJ, Harris PA, Bailey SR. Prevalence of obesity and owners' perceptions of body condition in pleasure horses and ponies in south-eastern Australia.. Aust Vet J 2016;94(11):427-432.
  11. Golding E, Al Ansari ASA, Sutton GA, Walshe N, Duggan V. Rate of obesity within a mixed-breed group of horses in Ireland and their owners' perceptions of body condition and useability of an equine body condition scoring scale.. Ir Vet J 2023;76(1):9.
    doi: 10.1186/s13620-023-00237-wgoogle scholar: lookup
  12. Treiber KH, Kronfeld DS, Hess TM, Byrd BM, Splan RK, Staniar WB. Evaluation of genetic and metabolic predispositions and nutritional risk factors for pasture-associated laminitis in ponies.. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2006;228(10):1538-1545.
  13. Henneke DR, Potter GD, Kreider JL, Yeates BF. Relationship between condition score, physical measurements and body fat percentage in mares.. Equine Vet J 1983;15(4):371-372.
  14. Carter RA, Geor RJ, Burton Staniar W, Cubitt TA, Harris PA. Apparent adiposity assessed by standardised scoring systems and morphometric measurements in horses and ponies.. Vet J 2009;179(2):204-210.
    doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2008.02.029google scholar: lookup
  15. Carslake HB, Pinchbeck GL, McGowan CM. Evaluation of a chemiluminescent immunoassay for measurement of equine insulin.. J Vet Intern Med 2017;31(2):568-574.
  16. Frank N, Bailey S, Bertin F-R, Burns T, de Laat M, Durham A. Recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of equine metabolic syndrome (EMS). Equine Endocrinology Group.. 2022.
  17. Kelsey H, Durham A, Frank N, McGowan C, Schott H, Stewart A. Recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of pituitary pars intermedia dysfunct ion (PPID). Equine Endocrinology Group.. 2021.
  18. Karikoski NP, Box JR, Mykkänen AK, Kotiranta VV, Raekallio MR. Variation in insulin response to oral sugar test in a cohort of horses throughout the year and evaluation of risk factors for insulin dysregulation.. Equine Vet J 2022;54(5):905-913.
  19. Horse Sport Ireland. Available from: https://www.horsesportireland.ie/
  20. Carter RA, Treiber KH, Geor RJ, Douglass L, Harris PA. Prediction of incipient pasture-associated laminitis from hyperinsulinaemia, hyperleptinaemia and generalised and localised obesity in a cohort of ponies.. Equine Vet J 2009;41(2):171-178.
  21. Meier AD, de Laat MA, Reiche DB, Pollitt CC, Walsh DM, McGree JM. The oral glucose test predicts laminitis risk in ponies fed a diet high in nonstructural carbohydrates.. Domest Anim Endocrinol 2018;63:1-9.
    doi: 10.1016/j.domaniend.2017.10.008google scholar: lookup
  22. Tadros EM, Fowlie JG, Refsal KR, Marteniuk J, Schott HC. Association between hyperinsulinaemia and laminitis severity at the time of pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction diagnosis.. Equine Vet J 2019;51(1):52-56.
  23. Pollard D, Wylie CE, Verheyen KLP, Newton JR. Assessment of horse owners' ability to recognise equine laminitis: a cross-sectional study of 93 veterinary diagnosed cases in Great Britain.. Equine Vet J 2017;49(6):759-766.
  24. Box JR, McGowan CM, Raekallio MR, Mykkänen AK, Carslake H, Karikoski NP. Insulin dysregulation in a population of Finnhorses and associated phenotypic markers of obesity.. J Vet Intern Med 2020;34(4):1599-1605.
  25. Nielsen BD, O'Connor-Robison CI, Spooner HS, Shelton J. Glycemic and Insulinemic responses are affected by age of horse and method of feed processing.. J Equine Vet 2010;30(5):249-258.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2010.03.008google scholar: lookup
  26. Bertin FR, Taylor SD, Bianco AW, Sojka-Kritchevsky JE. The effect of fasting duration on baseline blood glucose concentration, blood insulin concentration, glucose/insulin ratio, oral sugar test, and insulin response test results in horses.. J Vet Intern Med 2016;30(5):1726-1731.
  27. Ralston SL. Insulin and glucose regulation.. Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract 2002;18(2):295-304.
  28. Firshman AM, Valberg SJ. Factors affecting clinical assessment of insulin sensitivity in horses.. Equine Vet J 2007;39(6):567-575.
  29. Dunbar LK, Mielnicki KA, Dembek KA, Toribio RE, Burns TA. Evaluation of four diagnostic tests for insulin dysregulation in adult light-breed horses.. J Vet Intern Med 2016;30(3):885-891.
  30. Fitzgerald DM, Anderson ST, Sillence MN, de Laat MA. The cresty neck score is an independent predictor of insulin dysregulation in ponies.. PloS One 2019;14(7):e0220203.
  31. Bailey SR, Habershon-butcher JL, Ransom KJ, Elliott J, Menzies-Gow NJ. Hypertension and insulin resistance in a mixed-breed population of ponies predisposed to laminitis.. Am J Vet Res 2008;69(1):122-129.
  32. Frank N, Elliott SB, Brandt LE, Keisler DH. Physical characteristics, blood hormone concentrations, and plasma lipid concentrations in obese horses with insulin resistance.. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2006;228(9):1383-1390.
  33. Jocelyn NA, Harris PA, Menzies-Gow NJ. Effect of varying the dose of corn syrup on the insulin and glucose response to the oral sugar test.. Equine Vet J 2018;50(6):836-841.
  34. Lyn Macon E, Harris P, Partridge E, Day Barker V, Adams A. Effect of dose and fasting on oral sugar test responses in insulin dysregulated horses.. J Equine Vet 2021;107:103770.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2021.103770google scholar: lookup
  35. Öberg J, Bröjer J, Wattle O, Lilliehöök I. Evaluation of an equine-optimized enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for serum insulin measurement and stability study of equine serum insulin.. Comp Clin Path 2012;21(6):1291-1300.
  36. Beythien E, Wulf M, Ille N, Aurich J, Aurich C. Effects of sex, pregnancy and season on insulin secretion and carbohydrate metabolism in horses.. Anim Reprod Sci 2017;184:86-93.
    doi: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2017.07.002google scholar: lookup
  37. Macon EL, Harris P, Barker VD, Adams AA. Seasonal insulin responses to the oral sugar test in healthy and insulin dysregulated horses.. J Equine Vet 2022;113:103945.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2022.103945google scholar: lookup
  38. Macon EL, Harris PA, Barker VD, Elzinga S, Adams AA. Insulin dysregulated and healthy horses' seasonal insulin responses to the oral sugar test.. J Equine Vet 2017;2019(76):38.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2019.03.016google scholar: lookup
Subscribe to our newsletter
Join 99,357 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.