What are the symptoms of EMS in horses?
Clinical signs associated with EMS include obesity, difficulty losing weight, easily gaining weight and the development of fatty deposits, particularly in the crest of the neck. EMS horses may also have increased inflammatory responses.
What do you feed a horse with equine metabolic syndrome?
Veterinarians should advise clients to:
- Avoid high-potassium feeds such as alfalfa hay, brome hay, canola oil, soybean meal or oil, and molasses.
- Feed timothy or Bermuda grass hay, beet pulp, or grains such as oats, corn, wheat and barley.
- Pasture is usually OK.
- Feed several times a day.
- Provide regular exercise.
How do you treat a horse with equine metabolic syndrome?
Equine metabolic syndrome is treated with dietary management in the form of non-structural carbohydrate (NSC) restriction, restriction of total calorie intake, and a reduction (grazing muzzle) or elimination of pasture access.
Can Equine Metabolic Syndrome be reversed?
Thankfully, EMS can be reversed, but only with a lot of hard work. Horses with EMS are very, very hard to diet – so it takes real dedication to get the job done. It involves a serious permanent lifestyle change. Your vet and a nutritionist will help you plan a tailor-made diet for your horse.
What triggers EMS in horses?
EMS is caused when fat cells or adipose tissue produce high levels of adipokines, a protein hormone that leads to an increase in cortisol. As a result of the abnormal hormone production, a horse’s normal response to the hormone insulin is disrupted, resulting in high insulin and glucose blood concentrations.
Is EMS the same as Cushing’s?
In general, Cushings affects older horses, whereas EMS first develops in young and middle-aged animals. Although they are two separate conditions, they can overlap. All breeds are susceptible but ponies are most at risk.
Can horses with EMS eat grass?
Some horses with EMS/ID are managed successfully with restricted access to grass throughout the period of “recovering” from EMS/ID following their diagnosis, if they do not show signs of laminitis.
What causes metabolic syndrome in horses?
Can horses with EMS be ridden?
However, exercise can be limited in horses with EMS if they have acute or chronic active laminitis. Ideally, as soon as the horse is comfortable and with veterinary advice, a controlled exercise programme may begin.
How do you control a horse’s EMS?
Management
- Decrease daily calorie intake but maintain a reasonable feed intake to prevent excessive boredom;
- Feed late maturity hay;
- Do not feed grain or sweet feed, and avoid feeding treats;
- Do not turn the obese horse or pony out on pasture, as this results in uncontrolled calorie intake; and.
Can a horse have Cushings and EMS?
How long can a horse live with Cushing’s disease?
Well-managed horses should live about five to seven years or more past diagnosis.