Obesity
Adiposity (obesity) refers to excess weight or fat accumulation in horses. Fat deposits can occur all over the body or in localised areas only, e.g. on the neck crest, at the tail base, behind the shoulders, etc.
Adiposity is becoming increasingly common in horses and ponies nowadays. The main cause is a year-round oversupply of feed with high energy density combined with too little exercise. Misjudgements of workload or incorrect management can also lead to oversupply. Genetics also plays a role. Good doers among pony and horse breeds (and donkeys), whose metabolism is adapted to sparse feed or seasonally strongly fluctuating feed supply, are frequently affected.
Fatty tissue is not only an energy store but also has a degree of hormonal activity, which triggers inflammatory processes. Adiposity can be accompanied by reduced insulin sensitivity and can lead to insulin resistance, metabolic disorders such as EMS, and secondary conditions such as laminitis.