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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.
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Publication Date: 2023-11-20 PubMed ID: 37985219DOI: 10.1111/evj.14029Google 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.

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

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Citations

This article has been cited 4 times.
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    doi: 10.3390/ani15060874pubmed: 40150403google scholar: lookup
  4. Page AE, Johnson M, Parker JL, Jacob O, Poston R, Adams AA, Adam EN. The Effects of Intra-Articular Triamcinolone and Autologous Protein Solution on Metabolic Parameters in Horses. Animals (Basel) 2024 Aug 2;14(15).
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