Reduction diet
Overweight horses and ponies, or the affluence-related condition obesity, are becoming increasingly common in western countries. This places strain not only on the musculoskeletal system, but is also problematic with regard to the development of insulin resistance with a tendency towards laminitis.
Adipose tissue is hormonally active and produces inflammatory substances that play a role in the development of laminitis. “Slimming down” is healthy and necessary. However, this should not be achieved through a zero diet or excessive feed restriction, as this can lead to life-threatening hyperlipidaemia!
For weight loss, a diet consisting of the following is recommended:
- late-cut hay (1.2% of the target weight) fed in several small portions per day
- combined with an amino acid concentrate to counteract muscle breakdown
- plus vitaminised mineral feed and, of course, water.
Grazing, cereal-containing concentrate feed and treats of any kind should be avoided. The total energy content of the ration should be around 80% of the energy requirement. The aim is a weight loss of 0.5 to 1% of body mass per week. Measured with a tape measure, this would correspond to approximately 1 to 2 cm less in the horse’s body girth, neck circumference or chest circumference.
Weight loss is accelerated by a gentle exercise programme: 20 min of walking and 15 min of trotting per day (5x per week) not only improves weight reduction, but also insulin sensitivity, and reduces inflammatory substances in the body.
See also: Obesity, EMS, Laminitis, Insulin resistance, Insulin sensitivity, Hyperlipidemia
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