![]() ![]() Then take a hard look at your horse’s feeding and exercise regimens. The first step in any weight management program is to have your horse thoroughly examined by your veterinarian, including a complete blood count and chemistry panel tests, to rule out any underlying medical disorders. All overweight horses have some degree of insulin resistance, so feed the easy keeper with that assumption to be on the safe side. Watch for fat accumulation above your horse’s eyes, on his rump, along his neck (“cresty neck”), or in a fatty spinal crease down his back. Too much fat leads to insulin resistance (a hormonal disorder also called metabolic syndrome), which is like Type II diabetes in people, and equally serious-an insulin-resistant horse is a strong candidate for laminitis. ![]() ![]() Certainly, the overweight horse will not perform at his peak. Add in a lack of exercise, too many treats, overfeeding, even stress, and the easy keeper is at risk for hormone imbalances, arthritis, and laminitis. ![]() Is it your horse’s fault if he’s an “easy keeper”? A horse, like a person, has his own metabolic rate and genetic tendencies.
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