VoyForums

[ Login ] [ Contact Forum Admin ] [ Main index ] [ Post a new message ] [ Search | Check update time | Archives: 1, 2, 3, 4, [5], 6 ]

[ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]

Date Posted: 16:30:21 03/07/03 Fri
Author: Cheri
Subject: Friday's horse fact..
In reply to: Cheri 's message, "A New Week. Daily Inspirations and Horse Facts.." on 17:26:33 03/03/03 Mon



Shaping up your overweight horse..


Part 8 ..


Consequences Of Obesity..


Are there any health consequences related to obesity in horses? Once again, there is very little information available. However, it is possible that overweight horses are at greater risk for bone and joint injuries because of the added weight the limbs must bear. Overweight horses also might be more susceptible to certain diseases, including laminitis (founder). Ponies are particularly prone to obesity. When obese, ponies are very susceptible to founder and a serious disorder of fat metabolism called hyperlipemia. These problems, in part, are related to insulin resistance, similar to adult onset diabetes mellitus in humans. Most importantly, insulin resistance and the risk of developing founder and hyperlipemia are reduced after weight loss.

Overweight and obese horses are less tolerant to exercise, particularly in the warm summer months. With weight gain, fat is deposited underneath the skin--this layer of fat acts as an insulation barrier that is useful during the cold winter months, but it is a detriment during exercise and in hot weather because it impairs loss of heat from the body. Therefore, an overweight horse is more likely to overheat during exercise, a situation that is compounded in hot weather. In these horses, heart and respiratory rates will be abnormally high in relation to the amount of work performed, and recovery following exercise will be delayed. If you plan to ride your horse, particularly in competitions, you must deal with his weight problem.

Tomorrows fact .. Managing Overweight Horses

[ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]

[ Contact Forum Admin ]



Forum timezone: GMT+1
VF Version: 3.00b, ConfDB:
Before posting please read our privacy policy.
VoyForums(tm) is a Free Service from Voyager Info-Systems.
Copyright © 1998-2019 Voyager Info-Systems. All Rights Reserved.