Metabolic Problems - Horses Flashcards
Define obesity
A medical condition in which excess body fat has accumulated to the extent that it may have a negative effect on health, leading to reduced life expectancy or increased health problems
What can be used to recognise fatness in the horse?
Body condition scoreCresty neck score
Why is BMI not useful in horses?
Most owners don’t have accurate weighing scales
Body condition score this horse:
0
Body condition score this horse:
1
Body condition score this horse:
2
Body condition score this horse:
3
Body condition score this horse:
4
Body condition score this horse:
5
What are the six areas emphasised in condition scoring?
Behind the shoulderRibsTailheadCrease down backAlong the withersAlong the neck
Describe a BCS of 0 on a horse
Neck- bone structure easily felt with no muscle shelfWithers- bone structure easily feltBack and loin - 3 points of vertebrae easily feltRibs - each rib can be easily feltHind quarters - tailhead and hip bones projecting
Describe a BCS of 1 in a horse
Neck - can feel bone structure with slight muscle shelfWithers - can feel bone structureBack and loin - spinous process can be easily felt - transverse processes have slight fat coveringRibs - slight fat covering but can still be feltHind quarters - can feel hip bones
Describe a BCS of 2 in a horse
Neck - fat covering over bone structureWithers - fat deposits over withers - dependent on conformationBack and loin - fat over spinous processesRibs - can’t see ribs but ribs can still be feltHind quarters - hip bones covered with fat
Describe a BCS of 3 in a horse
Neck - flows smoothly into shoulderWithers - neck rounds out withersBack and loin - back is levelRibs - layer of fat over ribsHind quarters - can’t feel hip bones
Describe a BCS of 4 in a horse
Neck - fat deposited along neckWithers - fat padded around withersBack and loin - positive crease along backRibs - fat spongy over and between ribsHind quarters - can’t feel hip bones
Describe a BCS of 5 in the horse
Neck - bulging fatWithers - bulging fatBack and loin - deep positive creaseRibs - pockets of fatHind quarters - pockets of fat
Describe the 6 stages of cresty neck scoring
0 - No palpable crest1 - no visual appearance of a crest but slight filling felt with palpation2 - noticeable appearance of crest but fat deposited fairly evenly from poll to withers. Crest easily cupped in one hand and bent side to side3 - crest enlarged and thickened so fat is deposited more heavily in the middle of the neck giving a mounded appearance4 - crest grossly enlarged and thickened and can no longer be cupped in one hand or easily bent5 - crest is so large it permanently droops to one side
What is equine obesity more common in?
Certain breeds - draught type, cob type, native and welshAnimals described as good doersAnimals used for pleasure or non riddenSummer horses
Describe the pathogenesis of equine obesity
Species evolved relying on grassDuring summer and autumn gain adiposity as a critical survival mechanismWinter food scarce so rely on fat storesGet depleted prior to spring and grass growthObesity develops due to husbandry practices either excess calories or physical inactivityExcess adipocity has adverse effects
What are some equine conditions associated with obesity?
Exercise intoleranceAbnormal reproductive performanceMesenteric lipoma that may strangulate
What are some conditions associated with obesity and inflammatory reactions?
LaminitisHyperlipaemiaDOD - developmental orthopaedic disease
What two ways can weight loss be implemented?
Control calorie intakeIncrease calorie expenditure
Why must dry matter intake be maintained?
Welfare concerns associated with restricting DMI - stereotypies, colic, gastric ulcers and dental problems
What do low fibre diets seem to predispose horses to?
Gastric ulcers
What should be used to control calorie intake if grass intake at pasture control is not possible?
Stable and feed hay
How much should you feed stable and feed hay to horses?
1.5% of body weight
What can be substituted with hay if concentrates must be fed with horses?
Chaff or unmollassed beet pulp - substitute 1lb of pulp for 1.5lb hay
How can exercise increase expenditure and cause weight loss in horses?
Promotes glucose uptake and use by skeletal muscle that persists for 24 hoursImproves insulin sensitivityReduces inflammationDecreases feed intake
What other ways apart from exercise are there for increasing expenditure for weight loss?
ClippingDon’t rugHave hay and water at opposite ends of the fieldCircumferential strip grazing
