Equine Insulin Resistance

Insulin resistance is where the body's cells are no longer sensitive to insulin.  This means that the sugar in the horse's blood cannot get into the cells to produce energy in the horse.

The horse's body can compensate for a short period of time by making and excreting even more insulin into the blood stream to counteract the reduction in sensitivity to insulin.

The reason why this condition occurs is largely unknown at this stage.  There are some factors which are known to contribute to this health problem. 

The health factors are:

- The horse is over 20 years old

- Horses which are fat or obese

- Diet high in sugar and starch which is high in concentrates

- Breeds prone to developing a crest on the neck such as Morgans, Arabians and Quarter Horses.

- Horses with a history of Cushings disease often have the added complication of insulin resistance

- There is a strong relationship between the occurrence of insulin resistance and laminitis.

SYMPTOMS

Weight gain or loss

Fat deposits in the neck and crest of the tail, behind the shoulder and the loins.

DIAGNOSIS

The quick easy test to diagnose insulin resistance is a blood test which measures blood sugar and insulin levels.  A deeper assessment is called a glucose/insulin tolerance test.  It is where the horse is given a drip with sugar in it over several hours.  It enables the vet to record how much sugar is injected compared with how much insulin is produced.

TREATMENT

Treatment is aimed at managing the horse's lifestyle.  Increasing exercise, reducing the amount of concentrate being fed, reduce weight, limit or even eliminate pasture and grains.

You can analyse the sugar content in hay and if it's more than 10-12% should not be fed.  You can soak your horses hay in cold water for 60 minutes or warm water for 30 minutes to remove some of the sugars.

PROGNOSIS

Early treatment and consistence treatment means that the horse can go on to live a happy life.  Seek advice on your horse's diet from an equine specialist.

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