{"id":7154,"date":"2023-09-22T15:43:07","date_gmt":"2023-09-22T15:43:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lifedatalabs.com\/blog\/?p=7154"},"modified":"2023-09-22T18:56:32","modified_gmt":"2023-09-22T18:56:32","slug":"pony-and-equine-metabolic-syndrome","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lifedatalabs.com\/blog\/2023\/09\/22\/pony-and-equine-metabolic-syndrome\/","title":{"rendered":"The Pony and Equine Metabolic Syndrome"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n
\"Three<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Ponies are at a High Risk of Insulin Resistance, Laminitis, and Cushing\u2019s Disease<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Ponies are generally considered to be less than 14 hands tall at the withers. Although energy requirements vary between ponies, most are easy keepers with low caloric requirements and seem to gain weight from the air they breathe! The ancestors of today\u2019s ponies endured harsh conditions and barren environments. Ponies became genetically \u201cwired\u201d to survive with little food. With today\u2019s pastures and plentiful hay, the incidence of obesity and the subsequent health issues are commonplace.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Why Ponies Are Prone to Obesity<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

In the evolution of the wild pony, he\/she instinctively consumed sufficient forage to gain additional weight during the Summer and Fall to prepare for the harsher winter months. The added fat was burned as needed to help maintain metabolic functions through the winter. The wild Pony would utilize the excess fat by spring, emerging lean but healthy, and the cycle began again.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

The domesticated pony goes through the same cycle, but human interference has interrupted this natural process by providing a rich diet throughout the year. The pony goes into winter fat, continues receiving the same rich diet, and the stored fat is never expended. When Spring arrives, the pony is not only overweight but also has additional access to sugar-rich spring grazing. This dietary routine leads to chronic obesity and impacts the metabolic health of the pony.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

The Overweight Pony and Equine Metabolic Syndrome<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
\"Overweight<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

A diet too rich in calories and the resulting obesity is the leading contributor to the development of Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS). Obesity continues to be on the rise for ponies in the United States. Some studies show that around 72% of the pony population is overweight. Obese ponies are at a high risk of metabolic issues such as:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n