An investigation into the feeding behaviour of laminitic and non laminitic ponies
An investigation into the feeding behaviour of laminitic and non laminitic ponies
Not all overweight equines succumb to laminitis. It affects 7.1% of horses and ponies in the UK and is the reason for euthanasia in 7.4% of all equines (Menzies- Gow, 2006)...
Differences in insulin sensitivity have been offered as an explanation as to why some individuals are more susceptible than others (Field and Jeffcott, 1989) and more recently researchers have identified a prelaminitic condition which is likely to be genetic (Treiber et al, 2006).
One of the pre-disposing factors in susceptibility appears to be obesity; modern management regimes of excess calories and reduced exercise are highlighted as causal factors. However Budras et al (2001) observed cases of laminitis in Przewalski horses kept on semireserve. These horses showed limited foraging behaviour due to the curtailed boundary; foraging behaviour takes time and limits intake.
Exercise has shown to be a preventative measure against insulin resistance even in obese humans. It is possible that lack of exercise in overweight, genetically susceptible animals might be the final factor which increases their predilection to the disease.
