The Importance of Equine Metabolic Health: How to Keep Your Horse Healthy.
Horses are athletes; just like humans, they require the proper nutrition to perform at their best. Equine metabolic health plays a crucial role in their ability to maintain energy levels, endurance, and overall well-being. Whether you're a competitive rider or a recreational horse owner, taking care of your horse's metabolic health should be a top priority.
If a horse’s metabolic health has been compromised, it can result in a more serious metabolic condition where the cells do not respond to insulin properly. When the horse's cells are resistant to insulin, the glucose remains in the blood for a longer period of time. The pancreas responds by secreting even more insulin in an attempt to get the glucose into the cells and bring blood glucose level back to normal. As insulin is a highly inflammatory hormone, long-term, elevated insulin levels can lead to more serious health concerns and other metabolic disorders.
Benefits of Equine Metabolic Health
Healthy metabolic function in horses helps support overall health and performance
Maintain Healthy Energy Levels
Horses that receive the right nutrition and supplements are able to maintain their energy levels and perform at their best.
Endurance
Healthy metabolic function allows horses to perform at their best and help maintain their peak performance levels.
Optimal Health and Performance
By providing essential nutrients supporting the metabolic system, maintaining optimal health and well-being in horses is streamlined.
Equine Metabolic Health & Related Conditions
Metabolism in horses refers to the processes that break down food, water, and drugs to provide energy and nutrients for everyday functions.
Horses break down feed into glucose after eating and store it in cells. If the feed is high in starch and sugar, the glucose is absorbed into the bloodstream. The pancreas releases insulin to remove glucose from the bloodstream and regulate blood glucose levels.
However, in insulin resistance, the cells do not respond to insulin, leading to increased glucose in the bloodstream and higher insulin secretion from the pancreas. Prolonged elevated insulin levels can cause health issues and other horse metabolic health disorders due to insulin's inflammatory effects.
