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Sustained, Low-Intensity Exercise Achieved by a Dynamic Feeding System Decreases Body Fat in Ponies.
Abstract: Obesity in horses is increasing in prevalence and can be associated with insulin insensitivity and laminitis. Current treatment strategies for obesity include dietary restriction and exercise. However, whether exercise alone is effective for decreasing body fat is uncertain. Objective: Our hypothesis was that twice daily use of a dynamic feeding system for 3 months would induce sustained, low-intensity exercise thereby decreasing adiposity and improving insulin sensitivity (SI). Methods: Eight, university-owned, mixed-breed, adult ponies with body condition scores (BCS) ≥5/9 were used. Methods: Two treatments ("feeder on" or "feeder off") were administered for a 3-month period by a randomized, crossover design (n = 4/treatment). An interim equilibration period of 6 weeks at pasture separated the 2 study phases. Measurements of body mass (body weight, BCS, cresty neck score [CrNS], and morphometry), body fat (determined before and after the "feeder on" treatment only), triglycerides, and insulin sensitivity (SI; combined glucose-insulin test) were undertaken before and after treatments. Results: The dynamic feeding system induced a 3.7-fold increase in the daily distance travelled (n = 6), compared to with a stationary feeder, which significantly decreased mean BCS (6.53 ± 0.94 to 5.38 ± 1.71), CrNS (2.56 ± 1.12 to 1.63 ± 1.06) and body fat (by 4.95%). An improvement in SI did not occur in all ponies. Conclusions: A dynamic feeding system can be used to induce sustained (daily), low-intensity exercise that promotes weight loss in ponies. However, this exercise may not be sufficient to substantially improve SI.
Copyright © 2016 The Authors. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.
Publication Date: 2016-09-17 PubMed ID: 27639952PubMed Central: PMC5032883DOI: 10.1111/jvim.14577Google 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.
- Journal Article
- Randomized Controlled Trial
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 study assesses the impact of a dynamic feeding system that encourages low-intensity exercise in ponies, resulting in reduced body fat and potential improvements in insulin sensitivity. However, improvements in insulin sensitivity were not observed in all ponies.
Methodology
- In the study, eight adult ponies owned by the university and bearing body condition scores (BCS) of 5 or above out of 9 were utilized. These ponies were of mixed breeds.
- A randomized, crossover design was implemented for two treatment conditions: having the dynamic feeding system turned “on” or “off”. Each treatment phase lasted 3 months, with a 6-week pasture equilibration period in between.
- Various measurements regarding body mass (body weight, BCS, cresty neck score [CrNS], and morphometry) were taken, as well as measures of body fat (determined pre and post the “feeder on” treatment).
- Additional metrics such as triglycerides levels and insulin sensitivity were also analyzed, the latter being evaluated through a combined glucose-insulin test.
Findings
- Utilizing the dynamic feeding system almost quadrupled the daily distance that the ponies traveled (as compared to a stationary feeder).
- The aforementioned increase in movement significantly reduced the average BCS (from 6.53 to 5.38), CrNS (from 2.56 to 1.63), and body fat (by approximately 5%).
- Despite the weight loss seen in the ponies, improvements in insulin sensitivity did not occur in all test subjects.
Conclusions
- The research concludes that a dynamic feeding system effectively encourages daily, low-intensity exercise in ponies, which in turn leads to significant weight loss.
- However, it is noted that this exercise activity may not be sufficient in significantly improving insulin sensitivity.
Cite This Article
APA
de Laat MA, Hampson BA, Sillence MN, Pollitt CC.
(2016).
Sustained, Low-Intensity Exercise Achieved by a Dynamic Feeding System Decreases Body Fat in Ponies.
J Vet Intern Med, 30(5), 1732-1738.
https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.14577 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Earth, Environmental and Biological Sciences, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, Qld, Australia. melody.delaat@qut.edu.au.
- Sunshine Coast Equine Podiatry Services, Coolum, Qld, Australia.
- Earth, Environmental and Biological Sciences, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, Qld, Australia.
- Australian Equine Laminitis Research Unit, School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Gatton, Qld Australia.
MeSH Terms
- Adipose Tissue / physiology
- Animal Husbandry / methods
- Animals
- Cross-Over Studies
- Horse Diseases / therapy
- Horses
- Obesity / therapy
- Obesity / veterinary
- Physical Conditioning, Animal
- Time Factors
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