EMS

EMS (Equine Metabolic Syndrome) is a metabolic disorder that has become increasingly common. Good doers are most frequently affected. EMS is associated with obesity (adiposity), laminitis and insulin resistance. Affected horses show fat deposits on the crest of the neck, above the eyes, on the shoulders and loins, croup and tail head, as well as on the udder or prepuce. These specific fat deposits can also occur in thin horses. The fat cells in these deposits produce inflammation-promoting messenger substances, known as cytokines. These are thought to have a damaging effect on the insulin receptors of the target cells for glucose, thereby increasing insulin resistance and the tendency towards laminitis. Mares may experience cycle disturbances and infertility.

A genetic predisposition to insulin resistance is intensified by a carbohydrate-rich diet in horses, as is also the case in humans. For this reason, a low-grain, low-sugar, fibre-/fat-based diet is recommended as a preventive measure. In cases of diagnosed EMS, insulin resistance or a tendency towards laminitis, low-grain, low-sugar feeding is absolutely essential.