Metabolic disorder

In horses, the term ‘metabolic disorder’ is colloquially used as a synonym for all intolerances relating to sugar and grain, even if the disturbances only affect individual branches of the metabolism. In the strict sense, a metabolic disorder refers to any abnormal processes in the metabolism of an organism. In horses, disturbances or diseases affecting the energy metabolism, sugar metabolism or carbohydrate metabolism are very common nowadays.

These are very often caused by obesity (adiposity) and/or diseases such as EMS (Equine Metabolic Syndrome), Cushing’s (PPID), or PSSM (polysaccharide storage myopathy). As a result, sugar and starch intake should be kept as low as possible. The ration should therefore be grain-free. If needed, it can be supplemented with oil to provide more energy.