UNDERSTANDING EQUINE METABOLIC SYNDROME
He looks ‘healthy,’” your trainer says of your horse, who has recently packed on a few extra pounds. Although you laugh off the comment, you wonder why reducing his feed and adding a few more minutes to his trot sets and flatwork hasn’t slimmed him down at all. It’s possible the answer lies not in his meal size or exercise regime but in his bloodstream. He may be experiencing the effects of an endocrine disorder called equine metabolic syndrome, which affects his ability to metabolize food properly.
The endocrine system is made up of multiple organs, glands and tissues whose primary roles are hormone production and regulation. When these hormones are released into the body, they power many systems, such as reproduction, growth and metabolism. When the endocrine system isn’t functioning properly, it can lead to complications. In horses, one of the most common endocrine disorders is EMS, which can be a serious health risk if it is not treated and left unmanaged.
EMS occurs in young to middle-aged horses and is most commonly seen in breeds that you might call “thrifty” or “easy keepers,” such as Morgans, Andalusians, Arabians, Paso Finos, ponies, miniatures and warmbloods. Research indicates that breeds like these are at a
