Horse Equine Metabolic Syndrome Welfare

Equine metabolic syndrome (EMS) predisposes horses to recurrent laminitis, with dietary management and exercise being the primary interventions to protect welfare.

Key Facts

EMS involves insulin dysregulation causing abnormal insulin responses to dietary sugars and starches
The condition predisposes horses to laminitis even when grazing pasture that appears safe
Affected horses are often overweight with abnormal fat deposits at the crest, behind the shoulders, and around the tail head
Diagnosis involves dynamic insulin testing measuring the response to oral sugar administration
Low sugar and starch dietary management is the cornerstone of EMS control
Exercise improves insulin sensitivity and aids weight management in affected horses
Horses with EMS can live well with appropriate management but require vigilant dietary control

Welfare Considerations

EMS creates ongoing laminitis risk that profoundly affects welfare management. Horses with uncontrolled EMS may develop laminitis episodes when grazing normal pasture during spring and autumn when grass sugar content peaks. Recurrent laminitis causes chronic foot pain and progressive structural damage. The dietary management required to protect EMS horses - restricted grazing, soaked hay, muzzles - creates behavioral frustration in animals with strong motivation to graze. Effective EMS management balances the welfare cost of dietary restriction against the far greater welfare harm of recurrent laminitis.

What You Can Do

Test horses with abnormal fat deposits and history of laminitis for EMS using insulin testing
Restrict grazing through use of a grazing muzzle or strip grazing to limit sugar intake
Soak hay for 30-60 minutes to reduce sugar content before feeding EMS horses
Avoid feeding high-sugar feeds, treats, and lush pasture to EMS horses
Implement daily exercise programs - even walking significantly improves insulin sensitivity
Monitor body condition score regularly and adjust management to maintain healthy weight