Equine obesity is increasingly being recognised as a globally important welfare issue due to a variety of associated adverse consequences including orthopaedic disease, hyperlipaemia, hyperthermia, infertility and poor performance but perhaps most importantly laminitis. It was only in the 1980s that the potential link between obesity and insulin resistance was recognised and suggested as an alternative explanation for why certain individuals appeared more susceptible to laminitis, rather than excessive adiposity alone. What will I learn?
- Understand how definitions and terminology have evolved, including the change in emphasis from insulin resistance to insulin dysregulation when discussing endocrinopathic or hyper-insulinemic laminitis risk
- Understand how the knowledge of Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS) has changed over time
- Learn how dietary and gut-related factors may promote hyperinsulinaemia and the potential use in the diagnosis and management of insulin dysregulation
- Understand the important role of exercise in the management of both obesity and insulin dysregulation
